Topdog/Underdog Comes To SCR 1/8-29

South Coast Repertory will kick off 2012 with Suzan-Lori Parks' powerful Pulitzer Prize winner, Topdog/Underdog, running Jan. 8 – 29 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

Topdog tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, African-American brothers who are best friends and bitter rivals. Lincoln is a former three-card monte hustler now working as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator in a rundown arcade; Booth is a shoplifter. Booth desperately wants Lincoln to get back in the game, but the consequences could be deadly.

Curtis McClarin, who appeared in Broadway's Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk and Off-Broadway in The Good Negro and King Hedley II, will play Lincoln. Gary DeWitt Marshall, who starred in The Song of Jacob Zulu on Broadway and has appeared in numerous television shows, including "24" and "Life on Mars," will portray Booth.

Seret Scott, who directed SCR's much-lauded production of Fences in 2010, will helm the shoW. Scott, whose work at SCR also includes The Piano Lesson and Crumbs from the Table of Joy, is an associate artist at The Old Globe, where she has directed numerous shows. Her productions have been seen Off-Broadway and across the country, and she won a Drama Desk Award for her work as an actress.

Topdog's artistic team is comprised of Shaun Motley (set design), Soojin Lee (costume design), Jaymi Smith (lighting design), Sam Lerner (sound design) and Kathryn Davies (stage manager).

Alan and Olivia Slutzky are the Honorary Producers; 89.3 KPCC and OC Weekly are the media partners.

SHOW TIMES: Shows start at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday nights, with matinees starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

IMPORTANT DATES: Opening night is Friday, Jan. 13, and press night is Saturday, Jan. 14.

TICKETS: Can be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or by visiting the box office at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. $20-$68.