The World Premiere of EXIT 10 launches a haunting work of classic Americana by singer/songwriter/poet/actor Daniel Dean Darst and directed by Michael Altman in his theatrical directing debut. Darst, a master storyteller and inveterate road warrior, was collaborator and confidant of legendary director Robert Altman. He teams with the late film icon's eldest son to carry on the Altman legacy and bring EXIT 10 to the stage. EXIT 10, with book, music and lyrics by Daniel Dean Darst, opens on Friday, December 3 and runs through Sunday, January 23rd at Theater 68, 5419 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.
In story and song, Darst unravels the semi-autobiographical tale of alter ego, Mike Talburt, abandoned as a child to make his way among gypsies and migrants in the post Dust Bowl era of the 1950s. He leaves us at the threshold of a truck stop garage at Exit 10 where actor Paul Teodo now inhabits the role of young Mike. Strong, handsome and streetwise, he's hard at work in a steady job. Side deals with pimps and hookers up the ante so Mike can buy fancy gifts to woo the long-legged Lydia (MERCEDES MANNING) and drive her around in his Lincoln Continental with the top down. When Lydia shimmies close to hold him tight, Mike feels a sense of belonging that's long escaped him.
Hit country music singer/songwriter and Golden Globe Award winning actor
Danny Darst made his theater debut in the play, 2 By South, under the direction of
Robert Altman. His performance earned critical acclaim by the New York Times calling it "a chilling, hallucinatory embodiment of the protagonist's phantom dreams." The experience as well as acting and/or composing and performing music for films by
Robert Altman (Cookie's Fortune, Short Cuts) and
Jonathan Demme (Manchurian Candidate, Silence of the Lambs) led him to weave music into his romanticized reminiscences to create EXIT 10. Four years after
Robert Altman's death, Darst requested that fellow road warrior and poet Michael Altman, (lyrics to the theme song, "Suicide Is Painless," from the film M.A.S.H.) begin his own career as a director helming his play.
"Danny's story, words and songs evoke a special wistfulness and romance that challenged me to bring it to the stage," said director Michael Altman. "It's been a long time coming, but it seems it's finally found its home. I'm proud and humbled to be making my directorial debut with such an honest work of theater."
Danny Darst stars as Mike Talburt and performs several of his original songs, which are featured on the CD,
Danny Darst (songs from EXIT 10 the play). He heads an ensemble cast that includes Paul Teodo, Mercedes Manning, Bryan Bellomo, Jean St. James and Ed Dyer.
EXIT 10 is presented at Theater 68 in Hollywood at 5419 Sunset Boulevard (just east of Western Ave.). Free rooftop parking is available. Performance dates are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 3-5; Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 10-12; and Friday through Sunday, December 17-19. The show continues on Saturday and Sunday, January 1-2, 2011, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 7-9, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 14-17 and Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 21-23. Friday and Saturday curtain is at 8 PM. Sunday curtain at 7 PM. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the websitehttp://www.EXIT10theplay.com or call (323) 501-0511.
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