Laguna Playhouse Presents Rubicon Theatre's of LONESOME TRAVELER

The Laguna Playhouse continues its 2011-2012 Season with the World Premiere concert of the Rubicon Theatre production of Lonesome Traveler, a musical event that takes audiences on a journey down the rivers and streams of American folk music -- from the hills of Appalachia to the nightclubs of San Francisco and New York; from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Written and directed by Rubicon Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, James O’Neil, with Musical Direction and Arrangements by Dan Wheetman, Lonesome Traveler begins January 10 and continues through February 5 at The Laguna Playhouse. Presented in the style of a concert with story line, Lonesome Traveler is performed by nine artists who create musical portraits inspired by folk immortals such as Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Lead Belly, The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary and others whose music and influence changed American music – and America itself – forever.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann Wareham enthusiastically remarks, “We are thrilled to continue our association with the Rubicon Theatre. Jim O’Neil has brought together a remarkable and uniquely talented cast of performers who take us on a memorable journey through decades of American folk music. There are songs we know, some that are less familiar, woven together with stories that enlighten and entertain us along the way. We’re pleased and proud to begin the new year of 2012 with this joyous production.”

The company includes Jennifer Leigh Warren (Little Shop of Horrors in New York), Anthony Manough (The Lion King on Broadway), L.A.-based singer/songwriters Justine Bennett and Brendan (B. Willing) James, Sylvie Davidson (a Seattle actress/singer whose credit includes work at ACT), Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper and Justin Flagg (who plays the title character), plus second-generation musicians James Webb and Trevor Wheetman.

A few of the well-known song titles include “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” “This Land is Your Land,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Goodnight Irene,” “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Maggie’s Farm.”
About the Production

The concept for Lonesome Traveler comes from the imagination of James O’Neil. O’Neil is the co-founder and Artistic Director at Rubicon, and recently accepted the L.A. Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Sustained Excellence on behalf of the company. The journey to Lonesome Traveler for O’Neil was years– even decades – in the making.

“My relationship with this music goes back to when I was six or seven-years-old,” O’Neil remarks. “My father was a child of the Great Depression. He grew up in Oklahoma and came to California during the Dust Bowl. As I was growing up in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, our house was filled with the sounds of the folk revival.”

“Music is a declaration of a particular kind of humanity – one that perseveres through life’s difficulties and respects and cares for others. The title of Lonesome Traveler essentially comes from the idea that we all take a solitary journey through life – we come in and out of this world alone. But music is a great unifier – a great healer. It can help us feel a little less, lost or alone.”

O’Neil’s thoughts are echoed by Musical Director Dan Wheetman: “This music was born out of hardscrabble living. However, it reflects the joy of life; no matter how many obstacles we face, the human spirit rises above and rejoices in being alive.”

Throughout the process, O’Neil has been working closely with designer Tom Giamario, with whom he has collaborated on numerous shows.

“From the outset, Jim was clear that he wanted to engage the audience – he didn’t want to create a revue where the audience could be detached or distant,” says Giamario. “Folk music is very much about participation, not observation. We hope the experience will be much as it might have been back in the day.”

General Information

Ticket Prices:
$30 to $65

Performances:
January 10, 2012 – February 5, 2012

Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday matinees January 12 & 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

(Dates and times subject to change)

FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787) - GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229
VISIT: www.lagunaplayhouse.com

To post a comment, you must register and login.