Rehearsals have begun for the world premiere of Kimber Lee's "different words for the same thing," which begins previews May 4 at the Center Theatre Group / Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Opening night is May 11 and performances run through June 1, 2014. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!
Directed by Center Theatre Group Associate Artistic Director Neel Keller (who directed The Nether at the Douglas last season), "different words for the same thing" features acclaimed stage and screen actors Sam Anderson (Blackbird at Rogue Machine, Lost), Jackie Chung (brownsville song (b-side for tray) at Actors Theatre of Louisville), Stephen Ellis (The Coward at LCT3), Monica Horan (Everybody Loves Raymond), Devin Kelley (Resurrection), Rebecca Larsen (Sacred Fools), Savannah Lathem (Lost, Moneyball), Erick Lopez (Faking It), Malcolm Madera (House of Cards, Boardwalk Empire), Alyson Reed (Broadway's Marilyn: An American Fable, Cabaret), Hector Atreyu Ruiz (Gang Related) and Jose? Zuniga (The Call).
"different words for the same thing" has set design by Sarah Krainin, costume design by Candice Cain, lighting design by Geoff Korf and original composition and sound design by Paul James Prendergast. Casting is by Heidi Levitt, CSA, and the production stage manager is Kirsten Parker.
Set in a small town in southwestern Idaho, and the vast spaces that surround it, "different words for the same thing" depicts the intersecting lives of the townspeople as they deal with the web of love, tradition, religion, politics and heartbreak that connect them all. In a series of intimate, deeply felt scenes, Lee introduces Marta and Henry, three generations of their family, and many of their friends and neighbors. All are linked to the heartbeat and daily life of the community in ways reminiscent of Thornton Wilder's classic "Our Town."
Tickets for "different words for the same thing" are available at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre or by calling (213) 628-2772.
Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz
(L-R back row) cast members Rebecca Larsen, Savannah Lathem, Erick Lopez, Malcolm Madera, Monica Horan, Stephen Ellis, José Zuniga, (front row) Hector Atreyu Ruiz, Devin Kelley, Jackie Chung, Sam Anderson and Alyson Reed
Playwright Kimber Lee and director Neel Keller
Cast members Erick Lopez, Savannah Lathem and Hector Atreyu Ruiz
Cast members Alyson Reed and Sam Anderson
Cast members Malcolm Madera (partially obscured), Monica Horan, Stephen Ellis and Rebecca Larsen
Cast member Jackie Chung
Cast members Jose Zuniga and Devin Kelley
Cast members Sam Anderson and Devin Kelley
Cast and designers at the first rehearsal for Kimber Lee’s world premiere different words for the same thing
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