Syzygy Theatre Group Presents SMUDGE, 1/14

The Syzygy Theatre Group (Martin Bedoian, Artistic Director and Katherine Bedoian, Managing Director) announced today that they are presenting the West Coast Premiere of SMUDGE by Emmy Award-winning writer Rachel Axler (NBC's Parks and Recreation and Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart).  Darin Anthony (Syzygy's My Thing of Love and Furious Theatre Company's U.S. Drag), resident director and literary manager of the Syzygy Theatre Group, directs this dark comedy about the complicated nature of love, what it means to truly be a parent, and the resilience of the human spirit.  SMUDGE opens on January 14, 2011 at GTC Burbank (1111-B West Olive Avenue).

 "As a young actor I had the pleasure of working with Joseph Chaikin.  When I asked what connected his diverse body of work he laid his hand on my heart and said 'Marty...all same.' That simple statement has guided my play selection for Syzygy from day one.  From my first read of SMUDGE it gave me that hand on heart feeling.  I'm sure this play would have touched Joe's heart; it entertains while asking questions and shows the beauty of sadness and joy," said Artistic Director Martin Bedoian. "I am thrilled to have Darin directing for Syzygy again.  As our literary manager he has found many great scripts, but this is a special play we felt we had to do, and it was clear to me after reading SMUDGE that it should be his to direct.  Darin's facility with both comedy and drama along with his keen sense of the theatrical match the play perfectly."

Director Darin Anthony said, "I have wanted to do this play for three years now.  When I read it, I was immediately struck by its crushing subject matter on top and its soaring human emotion ragging underneath.  SMUDGE is that very rare play that is both challenging and at times ridiculously funny. Rachel Axler is very clever, witty and above all smart. She is able to make you laugh and then punch you in the gut. She has managed to expertly capture style, symbolism, metaphor, and humanity while touching on some very powerful human wants, desires, and struggles."  He added, "I am always happy about working with the Syzygy Ensemble Members, from the cast to the designers to the production and artistic teams.  It's like coming home and working with family."

In SMUDGE, Nicholas (Mark Thomsen) and Colby (Heather Fox) are going to have a baby.  Looking forward to normal, happy lives they are as happy as expectant parents can be. But do any of us ever know what the future holds? As Colby and Nick struggle with their new life as parents and the life of their newborn, they begin to crumble and the meaning of life is again re-defined. SMUDGE is a sometimes droll, sometimes hysterical, and sometimes tragic meditation on perception, responsibility, a parent's capacity to love, and what makes us human.

The cast of SMUDGE features Heather Fox as Colby, Bart Tangredi as Peter and Mark Thomsen as Nick.

Joining Darin Anthony on the creative team are set designer Sara Clement, costume designer Sherryl Linnell, lighting designer Jaymi Lee Smith, sound designer Joe Slawinski, production stage manager Rachel Levy and producer John Schumacher.

The West Coast Premiere of SMUDGE is presented by The Syzygy Theatre Group (Martin Bedoian, Artistic Director, Katherine Bedoian, Managing Director). The production originally opened Off-Broadway at the Women's Project on January 11, 2010.

The Syzygy Theatre Group is a Company-in-Residence at GTC Burbank. For more information on GTC Burbank check out www.gtc.org.

 

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