Katselas Opens ENGAGEMENT, 7/24

Katselas Theatre presents the world premiere of ENGAGEMENT, Written and Directed by Allen Barton and Produced by Gary Grossman. The production opens Saturday, July 24.

"Engagement" is an audacious dramatic comedy about relationships in the age of social media. Covering two intense years in the off-center romantic entanglement of Mark, a sharp-witted political conservative, and Nicole - apolitical, tolerant and artistic, this world premiere stagework takes aim at a contemporary social fabric frayed by technology's relentless attack on the fragile connection between people. The production stars Vanessa Celso, David Crane, Jim Dowd, Christopher Hoffman, Audrey Moore, Jeremy Radin, Ellie Schwartz, Retta Sirleaf, Brynn Thayer, Everette Wallin.

Previews are July 16, 17, 18, 23

Opening Weekend is Saturday, July 24 at 8PM,

Sunday, June 25 at 7PM.

Performances continue Fridays and Saturdays at

8PM, Sundays at 7PM, until August 22.

The Beverly Hills Playhouse

254 S. Robertson Blvd

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Ticket Prices:

General - $25; Students & Seniors - $15

For reservations, call: (310) 358-9936

For Katselas Theatre Company General Information: www.katselastheatre.org

ALLEN BARTON (Writer/Director) is a frequent director for the Katselas Theatre Company, the non-profit theatre company of the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Most recently he helmed the KTC's inaugural 2009 production of The Real Thing, and other credits include 2008's Rabbit Hole at the Skylight Theatre, Baja Fresh (2008), The Last Five Years (2007), Burn This (Guerrilla Rep, 2006), I Make You Laughing (2005), Pink Dot (2005), and About Faith (2000). As a writer, he has written several one-act plays, including Pearls Before Swine, The Engagement, and Baja Fresh, the latter two of which formed the early seeds of Engagement. Barton has written & directed five short films (including Cannes in 1999 and Reach Out), and his first feature screenplay, Real Music, was a top-three finalist in the 2005 CAPE New Writers Award Competition. Allen has many years' worth of L.A. stage, television and film credits as an actor, and he is also active as a classical pianist - he performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue at the 25th Annual S.T.A.G.E. fundraiser at the Wilshire Theatre, was a prizewinner in the 2002 Los Angeles Liszt Society Competition, recently released his fifth compact disc (find all five at the iTunes store) and performs solo recitals regularly on both coasts. He is also a host for the online political video channel PJTV.com. A graduate of Harvard University and longtime student of the late Milton Katselas, Allen currently serves as co-owner and CEO of the Beverly Hills Playhouse, where he is also on the teaching staff.

THE KATSELAS THEATRE COMPANY continues the mission statement set forth by Milton Katselas and Camelot Artists. Working primarily with actors and directors of the Beverly Hills Playhouse, as well as with Los Angeles-based professionals, The Katselas Theatre Company produces stage work inspired by the best work from the BHP's renowned classes as well as turning outside to directors and writers looking for scripts and productions with the emphasis on Los Angeles and World Premiere events. In addition, the theatre company plays host to musicians, poets, and dancers in its continuing dedication to creating theatrical works that benefit the broader Los Angeles community and contribute to its vibrant arts life.

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