RELEASE: May 8, 2008

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY’S TEEN PLAYERS PRESENT 'METAMORPHOSES'

COSTA MESA, Calif. (May 8, 2008)—Mythical characters step from the pages of Ovid in South Coast Repertory’s Teen Players production of Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman.  Based on David R. Slavitt’s translation of The Metamorphoses of Ovid and directed by Hisa Takakuwa, the production runs in SCR’s Nicholas Studio May 24 - 25 and May 30 – June 1.

The Teen Players (grades 9-12) are the oldest of two ensemble groups—acting students of primary and secondary school age—who have been chosen through audition after at least two years in SCR’s Theatre Conservatory.  They attend classes twice weekly during the school year, with additional rehearsal time prior to their annual performance.

In Metamorphoses, young people will easily recognize mythical characters like Midas, a billionaire venture capitalist, and Apollo’s son who has issues with his dad and is seeing a shrink.  But dealing with loss and suffering is also a theme of this lyrical play that CurtainUp described as, “a mix of poignancy, uplift and humor.”

Takakuwa is director of SCR’s Theatre Conservatory and a member of the classical theatre company A Noise Within.  She performed for 14 years with SCR’s Educational Touring Production and as Sally in A Christmas Carol.

The Teen Players are: Chase Anderson-Shaw, Brandon Barnes, Brianna Beach, Ellis Beardsley, Jordan Bellow, Kamisha Brooks, Mikey DeBenedetto, Lauren Gardner, Kendall Horn, Courtney Kato, Julia Ostmann, Julian Sharifi, Akshay Sharma, Lauren Speakman, Rachel Teague and Jake Weinberg.

Note:  According to Takakuwa, “Metamorphoses involves heavy use of poetic and heightened language and a theatrical style which may not be accessible to younger audiences.”  The play also contains mature subject matter and mild language concerns and is recommended for audiences aged 12 and above.    

FACT SHEET

METAMORPHOSES
by Mary Zimmerman
based on David R. Slavitt’s translation of The Metamorphoses of Ovid
directed by Hisa Takakuwa
sets by Angela Calin
costumes by Reagan
lighting by Jeff Brewer
stage manager Wendy Leef

Mythical gods step from the pages of Ovid. Linked by the transforming power of love,
their stories retain all the wonder, joy and even sadness, as they unfold across heaven and earth.

Dates:
Saturday, May 24 at 4pm and 7pm and May 31 at 7pm
Sunday, May 25 and June 1 at 1pm and 4pm
Friday, May 30 at 7pm

Tickets:
$8.50 (may be purchased through the SCR Box Office at (714) 708-5555 or
online at www.scr.org)

Cast by Cities:
Aliso Viejo - Lauren Gardner
Costa Mesa - Chase Anderson-Shaw
Huntington Beach - Brianna Beach, Lauren Speakman, Rachel Teague
Irvine - Kamisha Brooks, Mikey DeBenedetto, Akshay Sharma, Jake Weinberg
Laguna Niguel - Jordan Bellow
Lake Forest - Brandon Barnes, Courtney Kato
Long Beach - Julian Sharifi
Los Alamitos - Julia Ostmann
Newport Beach - Kendall Horn
Rancho Santa Margarita - Ellis Beardsley