Little Fish Theatre Opens THE COUNTRY HOUSE By Donald Margulies

A clever and compelling love letter to theater, and everyone who enjoys it both on- and off-stage, Donald Margulies' The Country House opens at Little Fish Theatre on April 4 for a four-week run. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright focuses his lens on a multi-generational family, revealing long pent-up frustrations and unrequited love in this ultimately healing narrative. LFT company member Holly Baker-Kreiswirth directs.

 

One year after the death of a loved one, a family of actors gathers in their Berkshire home during the Williamstown summer theater season, wrestling with fame, art, and as always, each other. But when the events of the weekend go off-script, secrets are spilled and bonds are broken - threatening an already fragile foundation of a home brimming with old memories, new love, and discarded dreams.

 

"The dynamics of a family of artists is mined in this witty, and sometimes achingly sad, story of a reunion one year after the death of a beloved mother, wife, sister, and daughter," says director Baker-Kreiswirth (On Clover Road, Laughter on the 23rd Floor). "Watching this group of actors dive deep into their characters, and add emotional layers to already beautifully-written dialogue, is enthralling. Anyone who has experienced love and loss -- and isn't that all of us -- will see themselves in this story, and will hopefully discover that forgiving themselves is one of the greatest gifts of all."

 

LFT company member Belinda Howell (Central Park West) plays matriarch and theater grande dame Anna. Howell co-founded theatre companies on both coasts and recently worked at The Group Rep. Anna's son, failed actor and wanna-be playwright Elliot, is taken on by company member Bill Wolski (Sea Marks, Provenance). Wolski co-produced the StageSceneLA award-winning production of Pick of the Vine 2018. Anna's pragmatic granddaughter Susie is played by LFT newcomer Frannie Morrison, who has appeared in productions with The New American Theatre and in the Hollywood Fringe Festival award-winner Chimpskin. Susie's father Walter, played by company member Richard Perloff*, is a successful Hollywood director whose wife's death has brought everyone together. Perloff was last seen in the Los Angeles premiere of On Clover Road and also directed LFT's 2018 production of Sea Marks. Walter's good-hearted and much-younger actress girlfriend Nell is played by company member Maire-Rose Pike*, last seen in LFT's Provenance and The Good Doctor. Caught in the middle of the family turmoil, and the women's affections, is Michael (Patrick Vest), star of a hit medical television series. Vest was last seen at LFT in 2018's Bloody Poetry, and has spent most of the past 16 years on stage with Shakespeare by the Sea.

 

Stage Managing the show is Jacob Severance, with Set Design by Scott Walewski, Lighting Design by Stacey Abrams, Costume Design by Rebecca Roth, Set Dressing/Sound/Prop Design by Holly Baker-Kreiswirth, and Set Paint by Sara Haddadin.

 

 

The Country House opens on Thursday, April 4 at 8pm, with an additional Thursday show on April 18. Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm from April 5 through April 27. There will be two 2pm matinees: Sunday April 14 and Sunday April 28. The April 14 matinee features a special talkback session where audience members can interact with the cast and creative team.

 

 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.littlefishtheatre.org, by phone at 310-512-6030 or by text 424-203-4727. Popular subscriptions of Anytime Tickets are available for purchase throughout the year and can be used at any of Little Fish Theatre's regular season productions, at any time.

 

Founded in 2002 as an artists' ensemble, Little Fish Theatre presents classic and contemporary plays in an intimate setting on Centre Street in the Arts District of downtown San Pedro.

 

*This production is presented under the auspices of the Actors' Equity Los Angeles Membership Company Rule.

 

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