CSULB Theatre Arts Department University Players to Present THE COLORED MUSEUM, 10/17-11/1

The CSULB Theatre Arts Department University Players will present The Colored Museum, written by George C. Wolfe, music by Kysia Bostic, and directed by Trevor Biship. Playing October 17th through November 1st, The Colored Museum, in a series of vignettes, explores stereotypes through African American stories and history.

The Colored Museum was originally produced in 1986 at the Crossroads Theatre New Jersey, and transferred to the Public Theater in New York City. The show presents challenging and hard-hitting topics that its author, George C. Wolfe, has painted with bold strokes. The New York Times review of the Public's production remarked that "Mr. Wolfe is the kind of satirist, almost unheard of in today's timid theatre, who takes no prisoners." The play has appeared in many productions since its New York debut, many of them at universities. The challenge that the play presents to its many directors is to keep the powerful satire current as our world and society continues to evolve.

Director Trevor Biship returns to the Players Theatre after directing Blackbird for California Repertory last year. Biship's history at CSULB is full of controversial and engaging work. Biship encourages his audiences to actively question their worldview through the experience of theatre going. He is excited to bring The Colored Museum to audiences in hopes of having them ponder "our country's complicity in how we create identity, particularly; how we create stereotype, particularly; how we all have the potential to continue or stop stereotypes that are harmful and negative."

Biship has directed the works of diverse contemporary playwrights from Suzan-Lori Parks to Paula Vogel. This is Biship's ninth production with CSULB. His most recent directorial work includes the Southern California Premieres of Jerry Springer: The Opera (winner of Ovation Award for Best Musical - Intimate Theatre) and Up. World and regional premieres include Film, Just Say No, Bash: Latterday Plays and Psalms of a Questionable Nature, as well as revivals of Eurydice and the award-nominated Cal Rep production of The Kentucky Cycle. He has worked with numerous Los Angeles theatres, including South Coast Repertory, Circle X Theatre, Theatre of NOTE, Moveable Piece, Cornerstone Theatre Company and the Pasadena Playhouse. Trevor's productions have received nominations from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, Ovation Awards, Los Angeles Drama Critics' Circle Awards, and Los Angeles Weekly Theatre Awards. He has also received a Backstage Garland Award for Best Direction. Trevor received his M.F.A. in Directing from the University of California, Irvine.

The Colored Museum opens Friday, October 17th, and closes on Saturday, November 1st. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm with Saturday matinees at 2 pm on October 25th and Nov1st. This production is in the Players Theatre on the CSULB Campus, accessible via West Campus Drive. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students (with valid ID). Parking is available next to the theater for $5. For tickets and information, please call (562) 985-5526 or visit www.csulb.edu/depts/theatre.

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