LA Times Interviews THE WAKE Author Lisa Kron

The Los Angeles Times has interviewed THE WAKE author Lisa Kron about her new play that discusses the 2000 Presidential Election and 9/11. Obie Award-winner Lisa Kron reunites with Leigh Silverman, who directed Kron's highly acclaimed 2006 production of "Well" on Broadway, to present this new play to Los Angeles audiences.

Kron spoke with Time reporter Charlotte Stoudt about the play, 9/11, and politics in general. Stoudt posed the question: "'The Wake' takes us back to the contested election of 2000, Sept. 11, and the 2004 election. Are we going to have fun, or is this going be a post-traumatic stress experience for both Democrats and Republicans?" Kron discussed the general idea of the play being a bigger question of character. "The assumption in this country that there's only so far we can fall. That we will always revert to prosperity and stability. Why do we think that? What is that belief based on? It's a kind of collective blind spot."

When asked about theatre in the modern age, Kron said, "Theater's operating principle is based on a universal human truth: All of us are completely innocent of the coming moment. No matter who you are, you don't know what's going to happen next. When we come up against that, it makes us feel alive. Accidents, sporting events, deathbeds, birth: That's when we consciously feel the stuff of life."

To read the full article from the LA Times, click here.

"The Wake" opens on March 28, 2010, and continues through April 18. Previews begin March 21 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

"The Wake" centers on Ellen, a smart, politically engaged, freelance writer who has created a warm circle of friends - a "puppy pile of people" - including her longtime partner, his sister and her partner. She gathers them together for a Thanksgiving dinner in 2000 but has trouble joining the festivities with her mind on the contested presidential election. She is adamant that her friends don't understand how bad The Situation really is.

Under Silverman's direction, the cast of "The Wake" features (in alphabetical order) Emily Donahoe, Carson Elrod, Andrea Frankle, Miriam F. Glover, Deirdre O'Connell, Heidi Schreck and Danielle Skraastad.

The set design is by David Korins, costume design by Meg Neville, lighting and projection design by Alexander V. Nichols, sound design by Cricket S. Myers and Kathryn Bostic is the composer. Casting is by Bonnie Grisan, Amy Potozkin and Erika Sellin, and the production stage manager is Elizabeth Atkinson.

Tickets for "The Wake" are on sale now and are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office.

The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

For more information, visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

 

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