In the Next Room Opens SCR's 2010-11 Season on the Julianne Argyros Stage, Underwritten by Jean and Tim Weiss
COSTA MESA, CA, October 1, 2010 – Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room or the vibrator play, directed by Casey Stangl, opened the 2010-11 Season on the Julianne Argyros Stage at South Coast Repertory with underwriting by Jean and SCR Honorary Trustee Tim Weiss.
In his curtain remarks, Producing Artistic Director David Emmes talked about the new play that was a Broadway hit, a Tony Award nominee and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. “Sarah gained widespread recognition with The Clean House, which SCR introduced to the West Coast, and Dead Man’s Cell Phone, which had its Southern California premiere here. Now she is firmly established in the theatre world with this illuminating new play.”
SCR Board President Tom Phelps added, “Thanks to our generous underwriters, we’ve been able to give this new work, set in the Victorian era, an authentic and stunning production.” He asked the Weisses to stand and be recognized. “Jean and Tim have underwritten a show every season since he joined the Board. And by the way, one of those was Sarah Ruhl’s The Clean House. But their underwriting didn’t stop when Tim retired from the Board in 2008. In 2009 they were Honorary Producers of An Italian Straw Hat, and last season they underwrote the final play on the Segerstrom Stage, Crimes of the Heart. Now, they’re back as Honorary Producers of the first play on the Julianne Argyros Stage.”
After adding his thanks to the Weisses for their steadfast support through the years, Artistic Director Martin Benson reminded playergoers that they were all invited to the post-production Cast Party in South Coast Plaza, sponsored by Marni, the women’s clothing and accessories boutique, and catered by Quattro Caffe.
In addition to their annual underwriting, Jean and Tim Weiss also helped underwrite Mr. Marmalade as members of the Playwrights Circle and the 2008 Pacific Playwrights Festival, bringing to fourteen the number of productions that have benefitted from their support. The Weisses are also major donors to SCR’s Next Stage and Legacy Campaigns and are longtime Gala table underwriters. Jean chaired the successful 2008 Gala Ball, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” During Tim’s nine years on the Board, he served two terms as Board President and currently chairs the Legacy Campaign.
Among First Nighters and guests enjoying the play and post-production party were Tim and Jean Weiss, their son Matt and his wife Rhea Weiss, and their guests Steve and Laurie Duncan, George and Julia Argyros, Rick Reiff and Mary Ann Brown, Bob and Susan Ehrlich, Larry and Dee Higby, Robert and Mimi Holcombe, Tom and Cindy Houston. Robert and M’Liss Kane, Roger Kirwan and Tracy Martin, Bill and Carolyn Klein, David and Elaine Krajanowski, Robert Palmer, Tom and Beth Phelps, Robert and Linda Yellin, John and Carolina Prichard and their guests John and Laurel Nelligan, John and Sue Murphy and their guests Paula and Rachelle Gale, Danuta Schenke and Bruce Heber, Karan and Amita Singhm, Richard and Sue Van Gemert and Kerry Wright.
To view photographs of the In the Next Room Cast Party, please visit “SCR Party Play” after October 7 at: http://www.scr.org/supportscr/specialevents/partyphotos.aspx
To order photos, please contact: mad@scr.org.
