My Name is Asher Lev Opens Marin Theatre Company's 43rd Season 9/15

Marin Theatre Company launches it's 43rd season with Aaron Posner's exquisite adaptation of the classic novel by Chaim Potok, My Name is Asher Lev. MTC's West Coast premiere is one of only two U.S. productions during the 2009-10 season, after the critically acclaimed world premiere at Arden Theatre Company in January 2009.

My Name is Asher Lev follows the journey of a young Jewish painter torn between his Hassidic upbringing and a desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith. This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist.

"I am delighted to welcome two artists of immense talent to MTC, Aaron Posner and Hal Brooks," says Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis. "The choice of Chaim Potok's beautiful story is a testament to Aaron's vision as a playwright and adaptor, and offers Hal a rich tapestry upon which to work. My Name is Asher Lev will have an evocative and passionate new life at MTC under their expert guidance."

Chaim Potok is best known for his eight novels, in particular The Chosen (1969), and My Name is Asher Lev (1972), both about the conflict between secular and religious life in Hassidic families. He also wrote two children's books, many essays, short stories, and non-fiction works. Born in New York City in 1929, the son of Polish immigrants, Potok created an influential and important literary legacy.

Aaron Posner, currently the Artistic Director of the Two River Theater Company in New Jersey, was co-founder and former Artistic Director of the Arden Theatre Company. The work of Chaim Potok is familiar territory for playwright and director Posner. He collaborated with Potok before his death in 2002 on the award-winning adaptation of The Chosen for the Arden Theatre in 1999. (Posner's adaptation of The Chosen opens at Theatreworks on October 7, 2009.) His other adaptations include Mark Twain's A Murder, A Mystery and A Marriage and Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion. Posner will direct A Midsummer Night's Dream at Cal Shakes, opening September 16.

Director Hal Brooks has worked at major theaters around the U.S. including the national tour of Nilaja Sun's Obie Award-winning No Child... which performed at Berkeley Rep, Woolly Mammoth, ART, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre, after a year-long critically-lauded run at both the Barrow Street Theatre and Epic Theatre in New York. He also directed the acclaimed off Broadway hit and Pulitzer finalist Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Soho Theatre in London, and the DR2 in New York

For more information visit www.marintheatre.org or call 415.388.5208.
Marin Theatre Company is located at 397 Miller Ave, Mill Valley CA 94941.

Previews-Thursday, Sept 10 through Sunday, Sept 13, 2009
Opening Night Gala-Tuesday, Sept 15 at 8:00 pm

Performance Schedule
September 10 through October 4, 2009

* Tues, Thu, Fri and Sat 8:00 pm
* Wed 7:30 pm
* Sun 7:00 pm
* Matinees: Thu 1:00 pm | Sat and Sun 2:00 pm

* Please check www.marintheatre.org or call box office at 415.388.5208 for exact performance dates and times.
Ticket Prices $20-51

* Previews: Thu through Sun: $31
* Tues: $31
* Wed, Thu, & Sun Evenings: $34 & $41
* Fri: $39 & $46
* Sat Evenings: $44 & $51
* Thu, Sat & Sun Matinees: $34 & $41
* Opening Night (Tues) with Cast Reception: $44 & $51

Discounts

* Pay What You Can Tuesdays (exc. Opening)
* Students $20, all performances
* Rush tickets $10 (based on availability, 1/2 hour prior to curtain)

ABOUT MTC. In its 43rd year, Marin Theatre Company is one of only five LORT theaters in the Bay Area, and is the largest professional regional theater company located in San Francisco's North Bay. It produces an annual season of more than 200 performances on its two stages. MTC provides a forum for contemporary, classic and emerging playwrights and, through the new Expanded Programs forum, an environment that introduces people of all ages to the transformative power of theater. Through its public performances, school tours, and various educational programs, MTC serves more than 40,000 people annually.

 

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