Jeff Kober Leads West-Coast Premiere of WHERE THE GREAT ONES RUN, Now thru 7/14

On the heels of their 2011 Best Production Awards sweep for Small Engine Repair (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, LA Weekly, Ovation, and Garland Awards), Rogue Machine have announcesd the first production of their new season. Seen for the first time on the West Coast, Mark Roberts' Where The Great Ones Run, includes an award winning cast of actors led by Jeff Kober from tonight, May 26 at Rogue Machine, 5041 Pico Blvd., LA, CA 90019.

Country music legend Sonny Burl walks into just another truck stop in the middle of nowhere, USA. He is returning to his hometown to play one last concert at the county fair. While there, he tries to reconnect with the wife he never divorced, the brother he abandoned, and the daughter he never knew.

"Celebrity-hood is now condensed, in this age of social media, from 15 min of fame to 15 seconds. We have become a society obsessed with celebrities. This play subtlety shines a light on celebrity from both sides of the footlights. Mark Roberts does so by drawing characters that touch our hearts and make us laugh," said Mark L. Taylor the Director.

Mark Roberts (Playwright) is the Creator and Executive Producer of the television sitcom Mike & Molly on CBS. He worked for seven years on the top-rated CBS comedy, Two and a Half Men, rising to the level of executive producer. Other plays he has written include Parasite Drag, Welcome to Tolono, Rantoul and Die, and Whitey. This summer he's also performing alongside Jessica Tuck in a revival of his one act comedy Couples Counseling Killed Katie, which opens at The Elephant Theatre in Los Angeles June 9.

MARK L. TAYLOR (Director) directed the critically acclaimed AfterMath by Elliot Shoenman, for the Inkwell Theater, starring Annie Potts at the Odyssey. Other directing credits include the premieres of Ovation nominated Concept of Remainders by Richard Hirsch for the Production Company and Breaking and Entering by Colin Mitchell at Theatre 40. Mark helmed the premiere productions of Sunset Park by Marley Simms and Elliot Shoenman at the Zeypher and Moment in the Sun by Elliot Shoenman at the Matrix. His television directing credits include the movie Den Brother for the Disney Channel and the Lifetime series Any Day Now.

John PerriN FLYNN (Producer/Artistic Director) is responsible for launching the WORLD PREMIERE production of John Pollono's hit play Small Engine Repair (BEST PRODUCTION-Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, LA Weekly, Ovation, and Garland Awards) and the Los Angeles premiere of David Harrower's Blackbird. Both productions garnered numerous awards. He is Rogue Machine's founding Artistic Director and has been the Executive Producer of all four successful seasons, garnering the LA Weekly Career Achievement Award in 2012. John recently directed the critically acclaimed Los Angeles premiere of The Sunset Limited, (CRITIC'S CHOICE-LA Times; GO-LA Weekly, CRITIC'S PICK-Backstage, Ovation RECOMMENDED) which ran for over four months. He directed the award winning World Premiere of Henry Murray's Treefall (now with 4 productions regionally, published by the Dramatist Play Service in 2010), Monkey Adored, and the critically acclaimed Los Angeles premiere of Rogue Machine's inaugural production, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, by Jeffrey Hatcher. He helmed the Craig Lucas' hit Small Tragedies at The Odyssey Theatre and the world premiere of John Pollono's Lost and Found at The Lounge Theatre. John was the Executive Producer and director of Lifetime's long running award winning series Strong Medicine, has produced two other series and 14 television movies or miniseries including the Emmy nominated Burden of Proof.

ROGUE MACHINE presents plays that are new to Los Angeles. The company has garnered recognition for their work in upwards of 45 awards and nominations, including the Polly Warfield Award for Excellent Season in Small to MidSize Theater, funded by the Nederland Organization, and the BEST PRODUCTION Award (two consecutive years) from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, and Garland). The company just picked up seven LA Weekly Awards including one for BEST PRODUCTION for Small Engine Repair by John Pollono. Since 2008 Rogue Machine has produced 3 Los Angeles Premiere (BLACKBIRD, COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY, and STOP KISS) 8 West Coast Premiere (FOUR PLACES, THE WORD BEGINS, WISH I HAD A SYLVIA PLATH, BHUTAN, MilkMilkLemonade, AMERICAN DEAD, BINGO WITH THE INDIANS, and HALF OF PLENTY), 1 American Premiere (NEVERLAND), and 6 World Premiere productions (the multi-award winning SMALL ENGINE REPAIR, MONKEY ADORED, YARD SALE SIGNS, RAZORBACK, SHORTS & SWEETS, and the award winning production of Henry Murray's TREEFALL, now published by Dramatist Play Services). Last year Rogue Machine worked extensively with multi-award winner Steven Sater (SPRING AWAKENING) in developing his play NEW YORK ANIMALS. The company draws upon the diverse and extensive experience of its collective while creating high-quality productions by contemporary playwrights who specifically address our culture and time.

Matthew Elkins (Producer/Producing Director) produced the much lauded Los Angeles premiere production of Blackbird, the World Premiere of Yard Sale Signs, the LA Premiere of Stop Kiss (co-director), and the inaugural award winning production of Compleat Female Stage Beauty at Rogue Machine. He directed MilkMilkLemonade for Rogue Machine's Off-The-Clock late night series which became so popular that it extended into a prime time slot for several weeks this season.

BETSY ZAJKO (Producer) produced and hosted A Change Of Season, which ran for three years on National Public Radio. A lover of writers and their stories, Betsy was the NPR producer and editor for essayists Harvey Pekar (American Splendor), Major Ragain, and Diana Keough, which ran during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. As an actress Betsy Zajko has worked at Cleveland Playhouse, Rogue Machine, Steppenwolf, and Trap Door theaters among others.

LEE BRIANTE (Musical Direction) grew up on a variety of folk and traditional music like Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seegar, Charlie Daniels, Patty Griffin, Chris Smither and many others. Memories of rowdy irish bands burning through bow rosin in low ceiling riverside taverns stand out in his mind. He has played in bands for the last 12 years or so. Including the east coast bands: 1986, and Paris. Lee's California based bandexperience includes Queen Victoria, Fawnhawk and he is currently the lead singer of Alt-country/Americana band The Far West.

THE FAR WEST (The band that recorded music for this production is playing live for the opening night reception) has an authentic Americana sound that has been described as something like Waylon's band jamming with Wilco. Highly personal, introspective and original songwriting that portrays a deep love of American music, The Far West combines influences like Bob Dylan, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, The Band, The Byrds and others into their own unique blend of Americana music. They can be seen locally, at places like The Echo, Pappy & Harriets, Hotel Cafe, Cowboy Palace Saloon, Taix, Silverlake Lounge & more!

Tucker Smallwood (Old Man) has worked on and off Broadway in more than 40 theatrical productions, including six plays at The Public Theater in New York. At Rogue Machine, he was seen last year in the critically acclaimed four month run of The Sunset Limited. In Los Angeles he has worked at the Mark Taper Forum, the Met, Cast, and Odyssey Theaters. Tucker has appeared in more than 40 feature films (including Contact and The Cotton Club) and has guest- starred in hundreds of hours of episodic television. He is an author, narrator, and an accomplished blues guitarist/singer.

JEFF KOBER (Sonny Burl) just filmed My Mother's Curse, with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogan. Numerous film credits include Hidalgo, A Man Apart, Enough, and the award winning short films Lucid,Underdogs, and Session Man which won the Academy Award for Best Short Film. Jeff is currently recurring in roles on the Fox series, The New Girl and on the FX series, Sons of Anarchy. He appeared as a regular in the highly acclaimed Vietnam War drama, China Beach and the now-cult horror series, Kindred: The Embraced, and had recurring roles in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dr. Vegas and Nothing Sacred. Jeff has guest starred on TV shows such as Lost, Law and Order, ER, 24, The Closer, and Criminal Minds; and has appeared in the TV movies Aces 'N' Eights, Mending Fences, and Elmore Leonard's Gold Coast, directed by Peter Weller. On stage he has recently been seen at the Odyssey, and the Rubicon Theatre.

HOLLY FULGER (Mary Lou Burl) appeared in the U.S. premiere of Road, directed by Tony Award winning director Robert Falls, Our Country's Good, directed by Amy Morton, and Lloyd's Prayer, at The Goodman Theater, with Denis O'Hare, directed by David Petrarca. She was a series regular on Sable with Rene Russo, Anything But Love, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Ellen, with Ellen Degeneres.

MARK ST. AMANT (Buddy Burl) was seen in the west coast premiere of Rogue Machine's American Dead (Garland Award for Lead Performance). Numerous LA credits include Pursued by Happiness, Big Death Little Death, and White As O at Road Theatre, and Tis Pity She's A Whore at Odyssey Theatre. Mark directed Broadsword: A Heavy Metal Play at Black Dahlia, The Bird and Mr. Banks (west coast premiere), The Butcher of Baraboo (west coast premiere), Laughing With My Mouth Open Wide, and I Am Yours at MadScene Theatre.

LILY HOLLEMAN (Julie Burl) will appear at the Geffen this year in the world premiere of Donald Margulies' Coney Island Christmas. Other stage credits include Circle Mirror Transformation (South Coast Repertory), The Trip To Bountiful (SCR), Bleed Rail (Boston Court; Ovation and LA Weekly Award nominee), God Save Gertrude (Boston Court), Doomsday Kiss (Bootleg Theater), and Crumble: Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake (Moving Arts). Film appearances include @urFRENZ (Winner: Method Fest and Flagstaff Film Festival Best Actress Award) Tenure, and How I Got Lost. TV credits include Key & Peele, Southland, Tracey Ullman's State of the Union, Queen Sized, Sonny with a Chance, Lewis Black's Root of All Evil and Campus Ladies.

Michael Uribes (Owen) recently appeared in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (as Picasso), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (as Guildenstern), Twelfth Night (as Tranio) and Camino Real (as Kilroy). He was seen in Oedipus El Rey at The Boston Court and nominated for The VAlley Theatre League Award for his performance in the world premiere musical Musical Chairs written by the late Academy Award winning composer Joel Hirschhorn. Roles in NY productions include Trigorin in The Sea Gull, and Jack in Into the Woods. Michael has had the honor of playing "El Pachuco" in a recent production of Zoot Suit at Luis Valdez' El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista.

ANDY HIRSCH (Chuck) was seen in MilkMilkLemonade (Rogue Machine), The Speed of Darkness with Stephen Lang (Goodman Theatre), Judgment at Nuremberg with Katharine Ross, Apollo (Portland Center Stage), and The Chicago Conspiracy Trial (Odyssey Theatre). Andy stars in the upcoming films Fort McCoy with Eric Stoltz, and The Chicago 8 with Gary Cole. Other films credits include Thanksgiving Day with Mary Tyler Moore, TMNT, The Real Old Testament; and Welcome to Mooseport. TV appearances include roles in Big Love, Shark, Beverly Hills 90210 (recurring), G-Spot (recurring), Emmy nominated mini-series In a Child's Name, and NBC's The Fanelli Boys (series regular).

JOHN POSEY (Hank) has appeared in 24, Boston Legal, NCIS, Seinfeld, among others. His film Legendary was produced in 2010 and his solo performance of Father, Son & Holy Coach has toured for years.

HERSCHA PARADY (Renee) appeared in My Three Angels at The Group Repertory Theatre and was seen at American Stage in 6 Dance Lessons in 6 Weeks and Agnes of God at Stage Works. She garnered 3 Dramalogue awards for Best Actress and a LA Drama Critics Award nomination. She was STEEEEEELLA 3 times …once with Jon Voight and once with the late Earl Hindman. While working on the stage in LA she was fortunate enough to land a 3 year stint on Little House on the Prairie as Alice Garvey and numerous "moms" in Afterschool Specials.

HOWARD S. MILLER (Darrel) has appeared in over 100 stage productions including the award winning civil rights drama I Am A Man at The Fountain Theatre, and Oscar & Felix: A New Look At The Odd Couple with John Larroquette at the Geffen Playhouse. Television credits include guest starring roles on Justified, Brothers and Sisters, The Loop, Desperate Housewives, CSI, Medium, The West Wing, Strong Medicine, and Crimnal Minds. Film credits include 8 Ball, Liar, Liar with Jim Carrey, The 13th Floor, Dark Streets, 3 Days Blind, and the award winning short Two Friendly Ghosts.

Edward Tournier (Tommy) has acted in the world premieres of Henry Murray's Monkey Adored and John Pollono's Razorback. He produced last year's award-winning production of Blackbird and served as assistant director of The Sunset Limited. Other stage credits include world premieres of Futura (Theatre at Boston Court), Supernova (Elephant Theater Company), and Secrets of the Trade (Black Dahlia). He is the recipient of Ovation, LADCC, LA Weekly, Garland, and GLAAD awards and nomination, and was featured in the 2011 Backstage article "Actors to Watch."

DESIGNERS:

Keith Mitchell (Set Designer) is an award winning art director and designer, interdisciplinary artist, and craftsman who works in television, theatre, film and installation, painting, and sculpture. He has designed productions and live events at many local theatres and venues and as far away as Singapore. Local theaters include The Hollywood Bowl, Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Odyssey, Evidence Room/ Bootleg, Falcon Theatre, Celebration, and Ivy Substation.

CHRISTOPHER MOSCATIELLO (Sound Designer) is an Ovation nominated sound designer, composer, music editor and music director for theater, television and film. Recent TV credits include The Walking Dead (AMC), Eureka (Syfy), Human Target (Fox), The Cape (NBC), and Trauma (NBC). He has scored full series, specials and promos for National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, HBO, BBC and others. Theater credits include The Kennedy Center, Pacific Resident Theatre, The Road Theatre, The Odyssey Theatre, and he served as assistant conductor on the national tour of The Phantom Of The Opera. Chris was Associate Artistic Director and Conductor of the Boston Chamber Ensemble, and during that period, wrote a ballet commissioned by the Kirov Ballet Academy that had its world premier in Washington, DC.

Jeremy Pivnick (Lighting Designer) has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Angstrom Award for Career Achievement, 3 Ovation Awards (19 nominations), and 4 Garland Awards (including 2 awards for Outstanding Year in Lighting Design). He is a prominent member of the Los Angeles and New York theatre communities and has designed over 250 productions in LA, New York, Chicago, and in Europe. In California he has worked at places like South Coast Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, San Jose Rep, and the Laguna Playhouse. In New York his work was seen in the hit Off-Broadway musical The Marvelous Wonderettes (Westside Theatre), Desperate Writers (Union Square Theatre), Good Bobby (59E59 Theatre), Corpus Christi (Rattlestick Theatre), and Moscow (Connelly Theatre).

Adam Flemming (video projections) is a projections and scenic designer based in Los Angeles. He has collaborated with South Coast Repertory, Long Beach Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, East/West Players, Deaf West, The Theater @ Boston Court, Noise Within, Laguna Playhouse, Odyssey Theater, and Santa Barbara Theater amongst others and has had productions in New York City, San Francisco, Miami, Austin, Edinburgh, and Guadalajara. He is an artistic associate with Son of Semele and holds an MFA in design from CalArts.

WHERE THE GREAT ONES RUN opens on May 26th and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm through July 14, 2012. ROGUE MACHINE is located at 5041 Pico Blvd., LA, CA 90019. Tickets are $30. Reservations: 855-585-5185 or at www.roguemachinetheatre.com

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