24th Street Theatre Announces 15th Anniversary Season

24th ST, recently awarded the Peter Zeisler Memorial Award at the national TCG Conference for its "risk-taking spirit," has decided to announce a full TYA season in 2012-13.

"The theater we're going to bring you next season is not what most Americans think of as family theater," asserts 24th ST executive director Jay McAdams. "In fact, if we didn't label the shows as TYA, most adults might not even know the difference. Our mission is to produce theater that parents and children can enjoy together, art that speaks to all audiences, regardless of age."

To that end, 24th STreet Theatre will continue its practice of introducing Los Angeles to significant theater from across the border, hosting Mexico's Viaje Redondo Producciones in the U.S. premiere of Rome at the End of the Line (Roma al Final de la Via) and Canada's Susanna Hamnett in the Los Angeles premiere of Nearly Lear in the fall, and Mexican "Huraclown" Aziz Gual in the spring.

Most exciting, 24th STreet announces the formation of its in-house experimental theater project for young audiences, LA_B²⁴, which will produce the West Coast premiere of British playwright Mike Kenny's Walking the Tightrope, opening in January under the direction of 24th STreet artistic director Debbie Devine.

The mission of LA_B²⁴ is to create sophisticated, provocative theater that parents can share with their kids," McAdams says. "We are rejecting the model of TYA that panders to children with cutesy stories and happy endings, and creating our own style that takes its themes and premises from the world around us. Sometimes it seems like we're so anxious to protect our children that we forget to teach them about loss, heartache and sadness in addition to love, happiness and joy. At 24th STreet, our work won't look like "children's theater," but rather like theater that embraces the full range of emotions, theater for adults and children of all ages."

The 24th STreet Theatre 15th Anniversary Season is as follows:

Sept, 15 – Oct. 7:
Rome at the End of the Line (Roma al Final de la Via) - 24th STreet Theatre Partners with Mexico's Viaje Redondo Producciones on the U.S. premiere of a whimsical and poignant story about friendship that spans a lifetime. Seven-year-olds Emilia and Evangelina-born a few days apart in a small Mexican town–walk together to the train tracks with the child-like hope of boarding it and traveling to Rome. From that moment, their lives are forever tied together. The two return to the tracks five more times-at ages 13, 20, 40, 60 and 80-to share their dreams, worries and love stories. Performed in Spanish with English Supertitles. (PG 13 – ages 12+)

Oct. 19-21:
Nearly Lear – 24th STreet Theatre brings Canada's international touring production to the U.S. for a one weekend only Los Angeles premiere. In this mischievous one-woman tour-de-force adaptation of King Lear, Susanna Hamnett plays the Fool-and every other character-to tell a very personal and poignant story with breathtaking hilarity and heartache. Upending expectations, Nearly Lear blends exuberant storytelling, music and film with Shakespeare's poetic text to usher the audience firmly into the heart of this great story. Welcome to a Lear that is profoundly accessible and fun, while serving the spirit, language and emotional core of the play. (Rated PG – 7+)

Jan. 26-March 31:
Walking the Tightrope – 24th STreet Theatre introduces its new in-house TYA company LA_B²⁴ with the West Coast premiereof British playwright Mike Kenny's gentle, funny play. Five-year-old Esme arrives to stay with her grandparents at the end of summer, just like she does every year. But this time, something's different: Nanna isn't here, and Granddad doesn't know how to tell her that Nanna isn't coming back. This magical play, full of moments of remembered childhood, explores a child's first experience with loss and celebrates the special bond shared by grandparents and grandchildren. The play was the first recipient of Art Council England's Award for Playwriting for Children & Young People (Rated G – ages 4+)

April 20-28:
Huraclown – 24th STreet Theatre hosts acclaimed Mexican clown Aziz Gual for a limited six-performance engagement. Not your ordinary, everyday clown, Aziz forges a unique connection with both adults and children, leading the audience on a hilarious, poignant and poetic journey that illuminates life's profound sorrows and great joys. (Rated G – ages 4+)

For more information about 24th STreet Theatre's 15th Anniversary Season, call (213) 745-6516 or visit online at www.24thstreet.org

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