CSULB University Players & Four Clowns' UBU THE SH*T Opens Tonight

Running tonight, November 21- December 7, the CSULB University Players and Los Angeles-based clown troupe Four Clowns will present a modern retelling of French playwright Alfred Jarry's Ubu Roi entitled Ubu the Sh*t. Four Clowns' Artistic Director and CSULB Theatre Arts alum Jeremy Aluma has adapted Jarry's script and is directing this collaborative production. With clown training and techniques incorporated into the rehearsal process by Aluma and members of the Four Clowns company, the undergraduate cast has been given the opportunity to explore the art of clown first-hand by some of Los Angeles' most experienced clown teachers, creating a truly unique version of Jarry's absurdist comedy. For many of the undergraduate actors in Ubu, this is their first experience with working in the art of clown.

In speaking about Ubu Roi, and why he chose to adapt this particular play, Aluma says: "In 1896, the stage met with its first true anti-protagonist. He is everything that is foul in the world, in a pure sense-devoid of any redeeming characteristic or capacity. He is not diluted with Iago's cunning or Macbeth's guilt. And somehow he is not unlike us. Today, everything moves at the pace of Ubu. Everyone wants to buy more, eat better and shit more pleasantly. This means that shocking our audiences cannot be achieved through the same means anymore." In 2007 Aluma and various members of the then-not-yet formed Four Clowns company presented Ubu at the Complex Theatres in Hollywood to critical acclaim. Prior Four Clowns productions in Long Beach also include Four Clowns and That Beautiful Laugh at the Long Beach Playhouse, and many of its company members are alumni of CSULB's Theatre Arts department as well.

Four Clowns is a Los Angeles-based, internationally touring, award winning clown troupe dedicated to entertaining audiences and experimenting with the relationship between actors and audience all whilst shining a light on humanity. Four Clowns implements aspects of physical theatre, text, music, dance, and the shattering of the fourth wall in all of their productions. The company is constantly redefining the audience's relationship to the performers on stage. Four Clowns' multiple-award-winning, critically acclaimed productions have played in Sao Paolo, Brazil; New York City (La MaMa & Theatre Row, Off-Broadway); Chicago (Neo-Futurists); Las Vegas; San Francisco; Minneapolis; Indianapolis; Phoenix; Kingsland, GA; Telluride, CO; and all over Southern California, including South Coast Repertory and REDCAT.

Ubu the Sh*t opens Friday, November 21 at 8pm in the Studio Theatre on CSULB South Campus, accessible via East Campus Drive. Performances will run Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8pm, with Saturday matinees at 2pm, and one Sunday matinee at 2pm on December 7. There will be no shows the week of Thanksgiving. Tickets are $15 general admission, and $12 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, please contact the CSULB box office at (562) 985-5526 or visit www.calrep.org. Convenient paid parking is located outside the Theatre Arts building in Lot 7. For all other information, please call (562) 985-4500.

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