Sierra Stages presents END DAYS

Sierra Stages opens it 2017 season with "End Days", an irreverent but deeply felt comedy about science, religion, and family. Written by Deborah Zoe Laufer, "End Days" plays for four weekends only from March 2 - 25 at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. The Sierra Stages production is directed by Robert Rossman, with set design also by Robert Rossman, lighting design by Erin Beatie and Joshua Vrooman, and costume design by Paulette Sand-Gilbert. The cast includes Nevada County actors Brian Arnold, Cathy Callas, Max Freedman, Michele Nesbit, and T.E. Wolfe.

Sixteen-year-old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father hasn't changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Her new neighbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator, has fallen for her hard. And the Apocalypse is coming Wednesday. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all.

"Following the success of 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' this past year, we wanted to find a similarly funny, sharp, and intelligently written play that we could present during the often wintry month of March, and think we have done so with 'End Days'," says Sierra Stages Board President Peter Mason. "'End Days' is both funny and moving as it explores a suburban family attempting to cope with the events of 9/11. It is one of the few plays we know of that substantively addresses the intersection between science and religion, and the only play we know of that features both Jesus and Stephen Hawking as characters. We're confident that 'End Days' will strike a strong chord with many folks in our community, whether they lean toward the spiritual or the scientific, and will be an entertaining and thought-provoking evening of live theatre."

Originally premiering in 2007, "End Days" has been widely produced at regional theatres throughout the country and has received glowing reviews virtually everywhere. Among the praises for "End Days" are the following: "The smartest, most hysterical, laugh-out-loud show you'll ever see in the theater - ever!... a witty, funny AND relevant play." "End Days may be about a weirdly dysfunctional family that finds it soul by waiting for the Apocalypse together, but this play has heart: It's engaging, funny as hell and even touching .... An exceptional show." "End Days directly pits science, religion and suburbia, but it's not an attack on any of them. Laufer is clearly a major new voice."

Performances of "End Days" are Thursdays (March 2 & 23) at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays (March 12 & 19) at 2 PM. General Admission tickets are $25 ($15 for the first two performances on March 2 & 3). Reserved Seating is available for $35 (in advance), and is a great way to provide additional financial support for Sierra Stages. For tickets and information, visit www.SierraStages.org or call Sierra Stages at 530.346.3210.

For the 9th consecutive year, Sierra Stages offers an affordable Season Pass. Two Season Pass options are available: General Admission Pass ($65) or Reserved Seating Pass ($95). Season Pass holders may select any performance of each show in 2017: "End Days" (March 2-25 at the Nevada Theatre), the hit Broadway musical "Chicago" (July 14- August 5 at the Nevada Theatre) and the more contemporary intimate musical "Ordinary Days" (October 5-28 at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley. Sierra Stages 2017 Season Passes may be purchased online at www.SierraStages.org or by calling Sierra Stages at 530-346-3210.

Sierra Stages is a nonprofit community theatre based in western Nevada County with a mission to provide quality productions that are affordable and accessible to everyone. Since it began eight years ago, Sierra Stages has presented 30 plays and musicals and has been recognized by the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance with six Elly Awards and 58 Elly Award nominations. The annual Elly Awards honor outstanding achievements of community theatres and artists in the greater Sacramento area. Sierra Stages performs at various local venues, including the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City and the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.

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