11, SEPTEMBER Runs 1/8-2/7/2010 At Odyssey Theatre

Known in Chicago as Breadline Theatre Group, Breadline Productions kicks off a new, Los Angeles-based theater venture with the world premiere of 11, September by Breadline artistic director Paul Kampf. Gita Donovan directs the two-hander, in which the playwright stars opposite Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle Award winner Hedy Burress (The Shaggs). 11, September opens for a five-week run on January 8 at the Odyssey Theatre, with two low-priced previews set for January 6 and 7.

What are the defining moments in our lives - those accidents of fate that change everything? In this provocative new drama about coincidence, truth, denial, and the secrets we keep, incredible circumstances bring two strangers together in a chance meeting that alters their lives forever.

"When we choose to view coincidence as 'fate' or 'the hand of God' moving us toward an inevitable outcome, we frequently give up personal responsibility for our actions," comments Donovan. "So often the 'truths' in our lives are based on defensive lies, leading us to destroy ourselves and those close to us."

"We as Americans seem to have a collective need to bury unpleasant truths, to live a sort of 'life-lie'," agrees Kampf. "When reality becomes too complicated or painful, like the events of September 11, 2001, it's easier to look away than to examine it too closely. I wanted to explore the question, 'what are our own, personal 9/11s?' "

In Chicago, Breadline Theatre Group was devoted to exploding traditional notions of theater and exploring new theatrical viewpoints. CenterstageChicago.com called Breadline, "One of the most pioneering Chicago off-Loop theatre companies [with] a reputation for mounting risky, new works successfully... Breadline Theatre Group is a model of what new American theatre should be in the 21st century." Under the artistic direction of Paul Kampf, the not-for-profit collective combined a variety of theatrical styles to present more than 30 productions, of which 25 were world premieres, including Love for Three Oranges; Madam Mao; The Cartesian Heart; American Gothic; Game of Shards; Sons of Liberty; and original adaptations of Peer Gynt, The Good War and Faust Triptych. Breadline renovated a warehouse facility to develop the Breadline Center for the Performing Arts, home to five arts organizations, rehearsal facilities and two performance spaces. Kampf relocated Breadline to Los Angeles after directing the independent feature film Brothers Three (adapted by him from his stage play, American Gothic) with Patrick Wilson, Neal McDonough, Scott Michael Campbell and John Heard. He has recently completed shooting a second feature, From Grace, and two short films, all of which are currently in post-production.

Hedy Burress' theater credits include the world premiere of Setup & Punch (The Blank Theatre Co.); An Act of Love (The Falcon Theatre); and productions of the LA Weekly Award-winner The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World in Los Angeles (where she garnered LADCC and Garland Awards for Best Performance), Chicago, and New York. She appears in the feature films He's Just Not That Into You; Valentine; and Foxfire. Recent television credits include Southland, ER, and Saving Grace, and she is also known for her work on Boston Common and Gideon's Crossing.

Gita Donovan was the Artistic Director of Alchemy Theatre Company in New York City, where she produced, directed, and performed in numerous productions including Heart of a Dog, adapted by Frank Galati; Madame Bovary; Runyon on Wry; and Savage Amusement. She performed for years with the New York State Theatre Institute in upstate New York. Other New York credits include her one-person show, The Silver Thread, based on the life of socialite Edie Sedgwick. In Los Angeles, she has been a member of Theatre 40, performing in numerous readings and shows including Bits and Pieces and Doing Something for Sally. In 1998 she wrote and directed a short film, The Gift, which won Best of the Fest, Movies on a Shoestring Festival and was shown on WGBH television in Boston and throughout New England.

Scenic Design for 11, September is by James Spencer, and Lighting Design is by Bosco Flanagan.

Performances of 11, September take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7 pm, January 8 through February 7. There will be two preview performances on Wednesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 7, both at 8 pm. Tickets are $30; students (with valid ID) and seniors are $25; the performances on Sunday, January 10 and 17 are Pay-What-You-Can; tickets to all Thursday performances are $15 for members of Actors' Equity and SAG; and previews on January 6 and 7 are $10. The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025. For reservations and information, call (310) 477-2055 x2 or go to www.11SeptemberPlay.info.

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