SCR Sets Casts for Pacific Playwrights Festival Readings

Today, South Coast Repertory announced the actors cast for four new-play readings as part of SCR's Pacific Playwrights Festival, which runs April 25-27. Single and packaged tickets are available online at www.scr.org.

This year's PPF features three world premiere productions and four readings. Included among the 21 actors for the readings are John de Lancie, Linda Gerhringer, Arye Gross, Evan Handler, Mia Barron, John Tenney, Tessa Auberjonois, Kathleen Early and Mia Barron.

• Zealot by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Marc Masterson

WHEN: Friday, April 25, at 1 p.m., Segerstrom Stage

Cast includes Omid Abtahi, Tala Ashe, Adam El-Sharkawi, Penny Johnson Jerald and Alan Smyth
At the British consulate in Mecca a tactical tea is interrupted by news of nearby violence. When a witness seeks asylum, a diplomatic battle of wits ensues, while a life hangs in the balance.

• Future Thinking by Eliza Clark, directed by Lila Neugebauer

WHEN: Friday, April 25, 3:30 p.m., Segerstrom Stage

Cast includes Greg Derelian, Enver Gjokaj, Arye Gross, Linda Gehringer and Justine Lupe

Chiara, the spoiled starlet. Peter, her obsessed, middle-aged stalker-fan. Add a stage mother, a bodyguard with a past and a security guard who really wants to be a cop, and fantasies collide-with each other and with reality.

• Mr. Wolf by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Matt Shakman

WHEN: Saturday, April 26, 10:30 a.m., Julianne Argyros Stage.

Cast includes Mia Barron, John de Lancie, Kaitlyn Dever, Laura Heiser and Jon Tenney
The only world 17-year-old Theresa has ever known revolves around Mr. Wolf. He taught her the universe. When she's taken from him and thrust into the arms of well-meaning strangers, she must grapple with who she is and where she belongs.

• Of Good Stock by Melissa Ross, directed by Lynne Meadow

Cast includes Tessa Auberjonois, Noah Bean, David Denman, Kathleen Early, Evan Handler and Katie Lowes

WHEN: Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m., Segerstrom Stage.

Three sisters and their respective partners gather for the weekend at their late father's house in Cape Cod. As the drinks flow, so do the family feuds, witty banter and surprising confessions.

The full productions are:

• Rest by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Martin Benson

WHEN: Friday-Saturday, April 25-26, 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Segerstrom Stage.

A nursing home in northern Idaho is shutting down, and one of the three remaining patients has wandered off in the midst of a record-breaking blizzard. When the search for the missing man takes an unexpected turn, residents and staff alike find themselves powerless in the face of an uncertain future. A funny and heartbreaking new play from the author of The Whale.

• Five Mile Lake by Rachel Bonds, directed by Daniella Topol

WHEN: Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, 7:45 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. This show continues through May 4. Julianne Argyros Stage.

Jamie enjoys a quiet life in his small Pennsylvania town, fixing up his grandfather's old lake house and pining after Mary, his troubled coworker. When his brother comes back to town with a new girlfriend, Jamie's peaceful world is turned upside down. A tender story about those who stay and those who go away.

• The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois written and directed by Adam Rapp

WHEN: Friday, April 25, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 26, at 2:30 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m., Nicholas Studio.

Ellis Shook lives alone in a small duplex apartment in Paducah, Kentucky. He works nights buffing floors, keeps to himself-and always remembers to take his medication. But when two teenage girls arrive at his doorstep one autumn afternoon, their visit forces him to confront a tragic past while also offering him a glimpse at hope. This is a fully staged production.

In addition, the festival will include the annual PPF Playwrights Panel, a discussion moderated by Julie Marie Myatt, SCR's Andrew W. Mellon Playwright-in-Residence, takes place on Sunday, April 27, from 9-10 a.m., on the Julianne Argyros Stage. The panel discussion is free. It also will be live-streamed via HowlRound TV: www.livestream.com/newplay

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