Argyle Road Productions announces an extension of what LA'ist calls "A Cult Hit in the Making" The Birthday Present 2050 by Tania Wisbar, directed by Jonathan Sanger now continues through May 22 at The Skylight Theatre (1816 ½ N. Vermont Avenue, LA 90027.) Performances run Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets prices are $25 Friday and Sunday, $30 on Saturday, students and seniors $15. Tickets can be purchased at www.plays411.com, by calling 323.960.7733 or at www.birthdaypresent2050.com.
In 2050, after years of political unrest, society has settled into a benevolent dystopia. Every family is guaranteed the essentials and 750 "points" a year to spend on luxuries, or to buy another year of life for a beloved elder whose "useful" time has passed. Each year Teresa Hallick's family has gathered on her birthday to pool their points willingly for another year of the great matriarch's life. But in 2050, on what would be her 72nd birthday, the family is threatened from the outside and collapsing on the inside, and we find ourselves asking, "What is your life worth to someone who loves you? And are you brave enough to ask?"
Directed by three-time Academy Award winning Producer Jonathan Sanger, whose credits include: The Elephant Man, Frances, Flight of the Navigator, The Doctors and Devils; Set design by Kris Knekt; lighting design by Jeff McLaughin; costume design by Lizz Wolf; video design by Marc I. Rosenthal; music by Karen Martin; casting by Chemin Sylvia Bernard, CSA; General Manager, Gary Grossman; Company Manager, Adam Rotenberg; Production Stage Manager, Christopher Hoffman; Stage Manager, Colin Grossman; public relations, Anita J. Lee.
Director Jonathan Sanger has enjoyed a long and successful career as both a movie and theatre producer. To date his films have received 3 Academy Awards, 21 Academy Award nominations, a British Academy Film Award and a French Cesar (their equivalent). He is currently producing the musical Baby It's You! on Broadway. His film producing film credits include The Producers - The Musical, Without Limits, Suspect Zero, Vanilla Sky, The Elephant Man, Frances, and Flight Of The Navigator.
Among his numerous director credits, are more than fifteen episodic television shows, including "Twin Peaks," "Wiseguy," and "L.A. Law; Code Name: Emerald," "Down Came A Blackbird," "Children Of The Bride", "Chance Of A Lifetime," "Just My Imagination," and "Obsessed" .
Playwright Tania Wisbar was born in Berlin, Germany to well known German film director, Frank Wisbar, later producer of Hollywood's first filmed T.V. series "Fireside Theatre," and Eva Wisbar, an music and art magazine publisher. Tania has been a journalist, reporter, and poet for much of her adult life. Her book, "Last Cemetery in Berlin," is the foundation of a film project of the same name, which she has developed and is producing with director Jonathan Sanger.Videos