THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE Comes To Life At The Chandler 3/27

Director Robert Craig and The Production Company proudly bring John Lahr's political suspense-thriller The Manchurian Candidate to life featuring stunning performances at The Chandler Studio Theatre in North Hollywood beginning March 27, 2009.

Picture this: An assassination plot against the president, a weak vice-president, the threat of nuclear war in the Persian Gulf, espionage, intrigue, incest, and the likelihood of a right wing takeover of the United States. Sound familiar? Lahr brings Richard Condon's celebrated novel into the present to build a remarkable evening of suspense and drama.

Raymond Shaw is a young American hero, the first Congressional Medal of Honor winner since Vietnam. Decorated for saving his fellow troops in a peacekeeping mission in the Middle East, he has returned to the U.S. and a career as a journalist in Washington, D.C. His wealthy, widowed mother has married the repugnant, racist Senator John Iselin; wedding her lust for power to his crude demagoguery. Through ruthless manipulation of the media, the power elite and the disenchanted masses, Mrs. Iselin maneuvers her husband closer and closer to the vice-presidential nomination. She even masterminds Raymond's marriage to Jocie Jordan, the beautiful daughter of Senator Tom Jordan; the favored candidate for vice-president. Another survivor of that fated Middle East mission is Commanding Officer Ben Marco, who suffers from horrifying nightmares. In trying to release himself from these demons, Ben begins to piece together an insidious conspiracy. Ben vainly attempts to find someone to believe him as Raymond struggles to understand his own disturbing nightmares. Then, in a startling display of over-confidence, Raymond's mother reveals to her son that he has been a part of this ongoing plot and has been used as an unwitting pawn in her scheme to put Johnny Iselin in the White House. With a deep, incestuous kiss, his mother sends him to his fate as Ben finally discovers the ultimate goal of the plot: the assassination of The President who has just named Johnny Iselin as his running mate. As these characters engage in the final battle for ultimate power, the play reaches a crescendo of breathtaking suspense.
Director Robert Craig has helmed great theatre throughout Southern California for the past 32 years. His work has ranged from Shakespeare to original works to modern comedies. Enjoying an eclectic taste in theatre, noted productions include Shakespeare's "As You Like it", Nottage's "Intimate Apparel" (currently in production), Russell's "Educating Rita" and Simon's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor." Mr. Craig also work-shopped and directed the World Premier production of "Tender" by David Alan Preece which enjoyed 3 L.A. Weekly Award nominations. Mr. Craig holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from California State University at Fullerton in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Directing and Theatre History. The outstanding cast includes Los Angeles-based stand-outs Toni Domanico, David Ghilardi, Kelly Graham, Lara Hughes, Amanda Karr, Michael A. Newcomer, Beau Puckett, Spiro Papas, Bill Sebastian, & Richard Skidmore. ‘Manchurian...' is Assistant Directed by Jennifer Sorenson., with Set Design by August Viverito, Lighting Design by Ric Zimmerman, Sound Design by Angie Bryant, and Costume Design by Kelly Graham and is produced for The Production Company by Artistic Directors August Viverito & T L Kolman.

Featuring Toni Domanico, David Ghilardi, Kelly Graham, Lara Hughes, Amanda Karr, Michael A. Newcomer, Beau Puckett, Spiro Papas, Bill Sebastian, Richard Skidmore

March 27th through May 2nd, 2009 - Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.

The Chandler Studio Theatre Center - 12443 Chandler Boulevard - North Hollywood, CA 91607

Tickets $22. - charge your tickets at www.theprodco.com or 1-800-838-3006. Cash only at the door.