World Premiere of The Happy Ones Opens on SCR’s Argyros Stage Underwritten by Mary Beth Adderley
COSTA MESA, CA, October 2, 2009 – South Coast Repertory’s 2009-2010 season on the Julianne Argyros Stage opened tonight with The Happy Ones, a world premiere by Julie Marie Myatt, directed by Artistic Director Martin Benson and underwritten in part by SCR Trustee Mary Beth Adderley.
In his curtain remarks, Producing Artistic Director David Emmes talked about the excitement generated by a world premiere on the Argyros Stage, the theatre’s designated home for new plays, many commissioned by SCR.
“This season, we will introduce three World Premieres and one West Coast Premiere to our adventurous Argyros Stage audiences,” Emmes said. “We begin with this SCR commission by Julie Marie Myatt, a remarkable playwright with whom we have worked for several years. As she continues to deepen her work—especially with plays like The Happy Ones—she is proving to be among the most exciting writers in American theatre today.”
Emmes added that generous underwriting allowed SCR to nurture emerging as well as established playwrights through its play development program. “And generous is just what our producer is,” he said before introducing Adderley. “We are grateful for her support not just tonight but throughout many seasons, as underwriter of Nothing Sacred, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Terra Nova and Feminine Ending. I might mention that two of those plays, as well as tonight’s production, were directed by Martin Benson, who directed a fledgling actress named Mary Beth Fleming, when she was a member of SCR’s company before going out into the business world. Mary Beth (Fleming) Adderley has since joined our Board of Trustees, so the circle is complete.” Emmes also thanked production Media Partner OC Metro, represented by Account Executive Susan Wallace, and invited everyone to the Cast Party on Ela’s Terrace after the show.
To capture the time and place of The Happy Ones (Orange County in 1975), the party featured bold 1970s prints, brightly colored linens and centerpieces with oranges, daisies and colorful flowers. Mark’s Catering offered today’s version of ’70s fare with an Asian Fusion, and partygoers sipped Harvey Wallbangers, a popular cocktail of the era.
Among First Nighters and guests were Mary Beth Adderley’s daughter, Elizabeth Williams, and guest Diana Nolan; Tom Rogers and Sally Anderson and their guest Richard Egan; S.L. and Betty Huang with guests Elizabeth An and Gordon Clune, Hannah An and Michael Crook and Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell; Fernando Lara, SEO of Singular Security; Cara Steward, CEO of WunderMarx; Frank and Marsha Easterbrook; Amita and Karan Singh; and John Benecke and Jeff Brumett.
