Stanley Ann: The Unlikely Story of Barack Obama's Mother Plays Powerhouse

Missyng Pictures, in cooperation with the Los Angeles TheaterEnsemble and Powerhouse Theatre Company, presents: Stanley Ann: The Unlikely Story of Barack Obama's Mother.

A workshop production of a one-woman play starring Ann Noble anddirected by Mark Bringelson. Opening February 11th for a four week run, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm, closing March 6th, at the Powerhouse Theatre in SantaMonica, CA.

Stanley Ann Dunham was the primary influence on her son's life, making her the object of bothcampaign slogans and internet slurs. Though she would not live to see her son elected president,the extraordinary choices she made as a young woman set him on his path.

This new play beingdeveloped by Los Angeles playwright Mike Kindle, explores the true and unknown story of this complicated woman, who would marry again, start a second family in Indonesia, and experiencefirst hand the impact of her government's actions in the third world, going on to become aninternational leader in her field.

Drawing on real events, the play follows Stanley Ann's journey from single motherhood, to international adventure, to a crisis of conscience at the farthest edgeof the American Empire.

After several successful readings in Los Angeles and New York, Stanley Ann now takes thestage at the Powerhouse for a fully produced exclusive limited preview run.Stanley Ann is a one-woman play starring Ann Noble, written by Mike Kindle, directed by Mark Bringelson, produced by Elizabeth Yng-Wong and the Los Angeles Theater Ensemble, withsound by Chris Moscatiello, lights by Brandon Baruch, set by Jim Sudik, and stage managed by Brooke Baldwin.

Actress Ann Noble, creator/writer/co-star of the hit lesbian webseries WE HAVE TO STOP NOW, is a Northwestern grad, and began her professional career in Chicago, performing at Northlight, Next, Body Politic, Interplay, First Folio, CTE, Apple Tree and the Tony Award wining Victory Gardens.

Since moving to Los Angeles she has worked extensively at The Road Theatre, andhas also appeared at the Victory, InterAct, Rogue Machine, Neo, and the Odessey. Ann's work has been recognized with Ovation, Garland, ADA, LAWeekly, and After Dark awards or nominations.

Director Mark Bringleson, most recently directed the world premieres of Tom Jacobson's plays BUNBURY and THE FRIENDLY HOUR, and Susan Rubin's plays BITCH and ABOVE THE LINE.Bringelson says, "This play illuminates a unique and luminous presence in this country's history that is inspiring, and is so far not well known."

Playwright Mike Kindle is a member of the Los Angeles Theater Ensemble, acting in six plays inthe last two seasons. He earned his MFA in Theater from UCLA, and his BA from the University of Virginia.

Missyng Pictures produces projects in various mediums and genres that include great roles for women and minorities. Says producer Elizabeth Yng-Wong, "This story is important because it's really about a woman who found a way to make a difference as an individual. The writing is beautiful, and we have a great team that is bringing this to the stage." The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to staging theater works of high artistic integrity while endeavoring to remain broadly accessible and genuinely entertaining. The ensemble holds fast in its commitment to strike a balance between providing a venue for emerging artists andveteran artists; between the works of new playwrights, and revisiting timely and important classics.

The Powerhouse Theatre is housed, appropriately enough, in the Powerhouse, a historicalbuilding originally erected in 1910 for the Southern California Edison Electrical Plant for the city ofSanta Monica. Committed to nurturing innovative new work, the Powerhouse has introduced Los Angeles audiences to critically-acclaimed world premieres such as the multiple award-winningThe Shaggs: Philosophy of the World; the scathingly funny The Family Room by Aron Coleite;Golden Prospects: A Los Angeles Melodrama by Colin Campbell; and A Series of Comedic Lectures with John Lehr.

The Powerhouse was named Best Historical Theatre in LA Weekly's Best of LA 2010 and is currently nominated for Theatrical Venue of the Year in the 2010Broadway World Awards.Tom Burmester, founder and Producing Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Theatre Ensembleand Managing Artistic Director of the Powerhouse Theatre, has produced over 20 productions for the stage including Wounded and Survived by Tom Burmester, Kindred by Daniel Keleher, IGelosi and The Heretic Mysteries by David Bridel, Monkey Madness by Daisuke Tsuji, Quixotic by Kit Steinkellner and The Water Engine by David Mamet. Tom earned his MFA in Directing from the University of California, Los Angeles, and moonlights as the Performance Manger of the Kirk Douglas Theatre.Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Tickets for preview performances are $10.

See www.latensemble.com for details.

The Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 2nd Street in south Santa Monica, just off MainStreet between Rose and Marine. Guests in wheelchairs should call in advance to makearrangements. For information, the public should visit www.powerhousetheatre.com.

 

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