Seaglass Theatre to Present West Coast Premiere of WAKE at Fremont Theatre Center, 4/26-5/25

WAKE, written by New York-based Carey Crim, will have its west coast premiere presented by LA's critically acclaimed SeaGlass Theatre company Saturday, April 26 through Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the beautiful Fremont Centre
Theatre in South Pasadena, CA, it was announced today by Ovation nominated actor and SeaGlass Theatre Managing Director Paul Stroili, along with SeaGlass Artistic Director Kimberly Van Luin. WAKE'S five all-star member ensemble will feature Nancy Berggren, Alison Blanchard, Michael Connors, Allie Costa, and Lauren McCormack. Matt Kirkwood has been set to direct.

Following SeaGlass Theatre's 2012 critically acclaimed production of A Christmas Twist; Steven Berkoff's Kvetch in 2011; their Steinbeck spoof Of Grapes and Nuts in 2010; David Lindsay-Abaire's Wonder of the World (2009), and their initial 2008 co-production of How Cissy Grew (starring SeaGlass Board Member James Denton of Desperate Housewives), WAKE is a soulful, heartfelt comedy about life and death and everything in between: Molly Harrison, an agoraphobic mortician, has been anchored to the safety of her funeral home for over three years. Her vivacious mother and precocious teenage daughter try in their own humorous ways to help her take that first step down the front walk, including hypnosis, sensory-overload therapy and a trip to Moscow. But in the end, Molly must realize what is truly important in her life before the power of love can finally inspire her to embrace the world again.

WAKE had its world premiere at Detroit's distinguished and nationally recognized Purple Rose Theatre in 2009. Ms. Crim's most recent play, Conviction, has been selected as the final play in the Rubicon Theatre's 2013-14 season in Ventura, CA.

CAREY CRIM: Originally an actress, Carey Crim found her calling as a playwright by accident. She was a theater major at Northwestern University, and [focused on being an] actor in Los Angeles for a while doing the rounds on a couple TV projects. She also resided in London for a while and worked at the Royal Court Theater. She returned to her home in Michigan on what was sort of supposed to be a pit stop at the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Detroit. Crim had begun to write her own audition monologues ("Even though you're not supposed to do that! I made up the name of the plays and the writers and ended up getting better feedback on the monologues than the actual performances.) As a result, she heard from a director who wanted to find one of her monologues which, in turn, forced her to come clean and he asked if she would consider writing it down because he wanted to read it. Crim, eventually sent it to the Purple Rose Theatre for feedback, and, as fate would have it, the Purple Rose ended up producing it. The play, Growing Pretty, was a critically acclaimed hit. The Purple Rose Theatre Company, which often featured work by the iconic Lanford Wilson, became an artistic home base for Crim, who credits Wilson as one of her inspirations. "Lanford Wilson-probably unknowingly-became a mentor of mine. Just watching him work, before I even knew I wanted to be a writer, he would work right up until his plays premiered. And if he could be that way with his work, who am I not to look at my plays from every angle? But by the time I was writing in earnest, it was near the end of his life." Crim's second play (Wake) was also produced at The Purple Rose. Now a New York resident, Crim is excited to be working on her newest play, Conviction, a co-production by Long Island's Bay Street Theatre in the Hamptons, the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, California, the Royal Manitoba Theatre of Canada, and Dead Posh Productions in London, England.

NANCY BERGGREN (Ivy) is thrilled to be appearing in this West Coast Premiere of WAKE under the direction of Matt Kirkwood and with this incredibly talented team of actors. Recently returned to her first love, she has been seen in On Golden Pond, Edith; Cabaret, Frau Schneider; Company, Joanne; Big River, Miss Watson; The Secret Garden, Miss Medlock; The Dinosaur Within, Miss Wells; Come Sundown, Eva; and opposite Placido Domingo in The Two Foscari, as his wife. Recent TV and film credits include Hot in Cleveland, The Unknown, and the film Posey; a moving story about Alzheimer's, which is currently reaping awards on the Film Festival circuit. Earlier credits include such TV staples as Little House on the Prairie, Fame, Father Murphy, Superior Court, General Hospital and Dynasty. Nancy thanks God for her light and her life and her loving family for their unfailing support.

ALISON BLANCHARD (Molly) has always been a sucker for a laugh. Her favorite roles have been Rita La Porta (Lucky Stiff) and Sister Mary Ignatius (...Explains It All For You). Classically trained at U.C. Berkeley, she has appeared in loads of plays and musicals, including Henry IV, part I (Lady Percy), Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), The Boyfriend (Hortense), A Midsummer Night's Dream twice (Peter Quince and Puck), Threepenny Opera (Lucy), James and the Giant Peach (Miss Spider), To Kill A Mockingbird (Miss Stephanie), and Twentieth Century (Ida Webb), and television shows like "Everybody Hates Chris". Her voiceover work can be heard in Disney theme parks worldwide, including the voices of the Computers in "Mission: SPACE" at EPCOT Center, and "Star Tours"at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. Her association with SeaGlass dates from her appearance in A Christmas Twist in December of 2012. She had the time of her life playing 3 different roles and working with a dedicated, hilarious, creative group of people. She felt at home immediately. When not acting she keeps busy playing her ukulele, taking a wide variety of dance classes, and spending time with her beloved husband and their dogs and cat. She's a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. One day she will play Lady Bracknell. www.AlisonBlanchard.com

MICHAEL CONNORS (Joe) An actor, Director & Acting Coach, Michael recently returned from Sweden, where he directed and helped create an original one person show that is currently being adapted into a feature film. Last season he directed and acted in Orphans, co-starring Beau Mirchoff (Awkward) at The Hudson Main Stage. Michael's production of the Limonade Tous Les Jous starring Megan Boone (The Blacklist) was honored with two LA Weekly Theatre Awards and nominated for five, including Best Director. He is a graduate of The Acting Conservatory at SUNY at Purchase, and is an Actor/Director with the Obie Award winning theater company The Barrow Group in NYC. Michael is very excited and grateful to be working with his old pal Matt on this touching & funny play.

ALLIE COSTA (Sam) Allie Costa is excited to bring Sam to life in WAKE. Theatre credits include Spring Awakening (Martha/Ilse), Hamlet (Guildenstern), Pope Joan (Young Joan, world premiere), Before a Fall (Darla, world premiere), What the Moon Saw (Matchgirl, world premiere), Gypsy (Baby Louise, Saddleback Civic Light Opera) and Little Miss Scrooge (Tiny Tammy, Rubicon Theatre). Film/TV credits include 90210, Unusual Suspects, You Me & Her, and Unintentionally Awesome. When not performing the works of others, she's writing her own. Her original plays and screenplays include Prodigal Daughter, Testimony, Failure to Communicate, Sunday Mail, and Can You Keep a Secret? She's a proud member of the Los Angeles Female Playwrights Initiative and PlayGround-LA. She always has energy to burn and a song to sing. Occasionally, she sleeps. www.alliecosta.com

LAUREN MCCORMACK (Peter) got into theatre just to know what it felt like to be called by a man's name and, as it turns out, it felt pretty good. Carey Crim's Wake marks Lauren's third production with SeaGlass. In prior SeaGlass productions he appeared as Scrooge in A Christmas Twist and as Jim Casy and Pa Joad in Of Grapes and Nuts. Other LA credits include originating the roles of Cole in A Yankee Trader and Horse in Gray Area (for which he received a TicketHolder nomination as Best Supporting Actor), both with the Virtual Theatre Project. Prior to life in LA, Lauren appeared onstage with some of Chicago's finest Off-Loop theatres including Shattered Globe, Timeline and Griffin.

MATT KIRKWOOD (Director) is excited to be back at SeaGlass, where he was last seen in Kvetch. His previous directing credits include, Coming Attractions, White House Murder Case, Family Of Mann and Mall America with Theatre NEO; Other directing credits: Snowangel, Warm and Tender Love, Clandestine at the Crystal, Blue, The Hit, Crosswords, Talking With... and The Miser. He also directed the short film: Happy Birthday Little Grace. Acting credits include, TV: Criminal Minds, Strong Medicine, Boy Meets World, Quantum Leap. FILM: What's Love Got To Do With It?, Abracadabra, If You Knew Ira. THEATRE: Lady, Unseen, Cages, Stand-Off at Hwy #37, Metropolitan Prairie, Threepenny Opera and With A Bullitt.

KIMBERLY VAN LUIN (Producer) Kimberly is a theatre graduate from the University of Evansville. She has performed in New York, Chicago, LA and towns in between. While in Chicago she founded the Griffin Theatre Company, producing and acting in over 30 shows. She received a Joseph Jeff Citation for Lee Blessing's, Independence. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has performed in shows throughout the city, including at The Odyssey Theatre, The Zeitgeist Theatre and The Eclectic Theatre. Some of her most recent shows include Gail Can See for Three Days by Josh Faigen , Of Grapes and Nuts, where she played the role of Curly and Wonder of the World, for which she was the recipient of Best Featured Performance Recognition by Don Grigware in his Best of Southern California Theatre, 2009. She appeared as Donna in Kvetch which she was nominated for Best Featured Actress by Broadwayworld.com along with Best featured actress as her role as Curly. Last season she was Emily Cratchit and Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Twist. She has appeared on "Family Law", "All That", "Twentysixmiles", "Criminal Minds." and several short and independent films including The Beating with Paul Stroili.

PAUL STROILI (Producer) Paul has directed two of SeaGlass Theatre's critically-acclaimed productions, A Christmas Twist and Of Grapes and Nuts, for which he received a Garland Award Nomination. His autobiographical solo show, Straight Up with a Twist, was nominated for an LA Ovation Award, two LA Weekly Awards, received an OC Weekly Award and enjoyed a twice extended Off-Broadway run. Chicago and LA stage credits include Wonder of the World, Ghosts, A Flea in her Ear, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Under Milkwood and Confessions of a Catholic Child. Television credits include "Undercover Bridesmaid", "Malcolm in the Middle," "Chance of a Lifetime," "Brother's Keeper," and the pilot "Help Us" along with several films including Karaoke Man, Gratitude and Cold Justice. He recent completed work on the film, The Beating, which will be submitted to the festival circuit in the Fall of 2013. Playwriting credits include Cheese Louise, My Dinner with Arlecchino and The Day the Arts Stood Still. He has also written for Los Angeles Magazine, NY Blade Magazine, The Chicago Tribune and The LA Stage Alliance. Every Thursday at 1PM, Paul co-hosts State of the Arts with Michael Sterling and Paul Stroili on the LA Talk Radio.com Network. State of the Arts is the top-rated arts podcast in Los Angeles www.StateoftheArtsLA.com - More information at www.PaulStroili.com

Completing the Production Team is Set Designer Aaron Henderson with Lighting Design by Carol Doehring, Costume Design by Katherine Brisbois and Prop Design by Susanna Wong.

SeaGlass Theatre is a not-for-profit Los Angeles based theatre company with roots in Chicago. Although they are only four years old in the LA theatre community, they have an extensive theater resume. The SeaGlass team includes members who are multiple award-winning actors and designers in theater, film and television, as well as experts in stage and house management. The mission of SeaGlass is to not only promote enthusiasm for theatre by creating theatrical events , but share stories that illuminate the American experience, believing that in the remote corners of the human spirit, one can find beauty. For further information about SeaGlass Theatre, please contact SeaGlass Theatre directly at (818) 533-8441, or visit www.seaglasstheatre.org.

**Opening night: April 26 at 8:00 pm. Performances of WAKE will then be presented Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm through May 25 at the Fremont Center in South Pasadena. General Admission tickets are priced at $25 with Senior and Student tickets available at $20. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.seaglasstheatre.org - *Preview tickets: $12.50; **Opening night tickets: $35. Group Sales - Parties of 12 or more are entitled to a discounted Group Rate - Please call 818.533.8441 for details. All online sales are subject to a nominal service fee. WAKE is age appropriate for teens 14 and older.

WAKE: A Special Mother's Day Event and Performance on May 11th, 2014: Ticket purchases will include an elegant "high tea" in the outdoor gardens of the Fremont Centre Theatre.

The Fremont Center Theatre is located at 1000 Fremont Avenue in South Pasadena, CA 91030. Telephone: (626) 441-5977. The Fremont Centre Theatre (FCT) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit professional theatre operating under the 99 Seat & Under Equity Plan, located in an historic building in South Pasadena. The California Performing Arts Centre opened the Fremont Centre Theatre (FCT) in 1997 under the Co-Artistic Director leadership of James and Lissa Reynolds. Since then, more than 50 shows have graced the FCT stage. In recent years, FCT was the regular venue for Pulitzer Prize-winning author/playwright, the late Ray Bradbury and his Pandemonium Theatre Company. The FCT has been honored by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, The Valley Theatre League, The Pasadena Arts Council, Women In Theatre, The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, The City Of South Pasadena and The NAACP, among many other organizations. www.fremontcentretheatre.com

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