The Lost Studio Presents ME, AS A PENGUIN

An American premiere from one of Britain's newest young playwright sensations will open in Los Angeles for a limited run at The Lost Studio.

Lured by the siren song of Funkytown by Lipps Inc., Stitch leaves the safe haven of his mum's knitting shop in Withernsea for the gay scene in neighboring Hull, where his sister Liz is about to give birth. Liz's layabout partner Mark makes the mistake of introducing the virgin Stitch to Mad Dave, who works at the Hull aquarium but mostly takes LSD. Stepping out of his comfort zone into the penguin pool, leads Stitch, Mark and Liz into uncharted waters and the fate of one lonely penguin hangs in the balance.

Director John Pleshette returns to the Lost Studio with several of his cast members from his memorable hit comedy MAMMALS. His production of THE CARETAKER won the LA Weekly Award for Best Revival. For his 2006 production of NO MAN'S LAND, he received a Best Director nomination. John's productions of LITTLE MURDERS, MAMMALS, and the Los Angeles premiere of THE ARRANGEMENT garnered a Critics' Choice by the L.A. Times. In New York, he staged premieres of Jonathan Levy's THE PORNOGRAPHER'S DAUGHTER and MARCO POLO for Manhattan Theatre Club. He has he directed two award-winning short films, MISTER MAN WORKS OUR and THE PRESTO BROTHERS, and numerous TV series including KNOTS LANDING. As an actor John appeared in the title role of the ABC mini-series THE TRIAL OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD and selected guest starring credits include THE SOPRANOS, THE PRACTICE, L.A.LAW, N.Y.P.D. BLUE, N.C.I.S., , E.R., THE NINE, and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. John has worked with Blake Edwards in S.O.B. and MICKI & MAUD, with Peter Weir in THE TRUMAN SHOW, and with James Franco in James Dean. He often writes for television and features.

ME, AS A PENGUIN opens on Friday, January 14th and runs through March 6, 2011. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm at THE LOST STUDIO located at 130 S. La Brea Avenue (between 1st & 2nd) in Los Angeles, CA 90036. Tickets are $25. For reservations call (323) 960-7721or online at www.plays411.com/me

Tom Wells (Playwright) studiEd English at Oxford University. Fresh out of college, in 2009, he was one of six writers selected for the Paines Plough/Channel 4 Future Perfect scheme. Plays include ME, AS A PENGUIN (West Yorkshire Playhouse, 2009 and Arcola Theatre/UK Tour, 2010); ABOUT A GOTH (Paines Plough/Oran Mor, 2009); NOTES FOR FIRST TIME ASTRONAUTS (Paines Plough LATER at Soho Theatre, 2009); YETI (The Bush Theatre, 2010); WE PLANTED SOME SUNFLOWERES (Future Perfect Season-Paines Plough/Rose Brueford, Unicorn Theatre 2010); and THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT (ATC at The Northwall, Oxford/Soho Theatre, London, 2010). Tom is currently Associate Playwright at the Bush Theatre, where he is also under commission. Tom is writing plays for Hampstead Theatre's 'Heat & Light' season and has been co-commissioned by Paines Plough/West Yorkshire Playhouse and Hull Truck Theatre.

LYNN PLESHETTE (Producer) has worked with numerous screenwriters and authors including Annie Proulx (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN), Deena Goldstone (SAFE PASSAGE), Jane Smiley (A THOUSAND ACRES), Andrew Niccol (THE TRUMAN SHOW), Scott Smith (THE SIMPLE PLAN), David Jacobs (the creator of the series DALLAS), Barbara Turner (GEORGIA and POLLOCK), and Arthur Golden (MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA). She received Executive Producer credit on the feature films THE TRUMAN SHOW and Mary Reilly. Last season Lynn produced the critically acclaimed production of MAMMALS at The Lost Studio.

CAST

MINA BADIE (Liz) has appeared on London stages as Ophelia in HAMLET, Clarissa in THE SEVEN LEARS and the Gaoler's daughter in THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN at the Royal Court Theater. In New York she appeared IN SONG OF SONGS, PARADISE LOST and the VAGINA MONOLOGUES. Some of her Los Angeles and San Francisco performances include Dorthea in ELEEMOSYNARY, Tammy in ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUNDAY at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and CHARMAIN in ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA at the Thousand Oaks Civic Auditorium. Most recently she played Jane in MAMMALS and Lucy/Milly in CONFUSIONS both at the Lost Studio Theater. MINA'S TV credits include 24, COLD CASE, and THE CLOSER. Her film credits include MIND THE GAP, THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY, ROAD TO PERDITION and last year's GREENBERG.

BRENDAN HUNT (Stitch) has appeared at The Lost Studio in Alan Ayckbourn's Confusions and on other LA stages with Echo, and Sacred Fools. His most recent work with the Fools was in the role of Eldridge in the original honky-tonk musical Savin' Up for Saturday Night, for which he was nominated for an Ovation Award. His one-man show Five Years In Amsterdam traveled the world and was a selection at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Apsen, Colorado. TV credits include the series' Parks and Rec and Svetlana.

CRAIG ROBert Young (Mark) has starred in CHARMED, THE DISTRICT, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, LOST, THE UNIT, MTV's SPYDER GAMES and all episodes of JUST FOR KICKS (The Whoopi Goldberg produced show for Nickelodeon). Hescored 4 top ten British hits, a top twenty album and appearances on acclaimed show 'Top of The Pops' 7 times as a member of the group 'Deuce'. On MTV in the UK he hosted the hit show SELECT, and was then hired as host for GMTV (UK version of the TODAY SHOW), also appearing on the award winning DREAM TEAM. Film credits include SLAUGHTER for Lionsgate, and A NUMBERS GANG alongside Steven Bauer. Craig is a member of the British theatre company Nomad, here in Los Angeles.

JAMES DONOVAN (Mark and Dave) last appeared at The Lost Studio in the hit comedy MAMMALS. Since then he was seen at The Odyssey Theatre in NO MAN'S LAND, and BEDROOM FARCE. Other stage appearances in Los Angeles include
A FLEA IN HER EAR, THE ROSE TATTOO, A RANSOM FOR YESTERDAY, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, THE WAGER, THE NERD, and FIGHTING LIGHT. Film credits include ONE FOOT UNDER, THE CAT KILLERS, TREASURE ISLAND, and LETHAL WEAPON 4.

DESIGN TEAM

JOSEPH 'SLOE' SLAWINSKI (Sound Design)designs sound for both stage and film. He recently worked on THE PERFECT MOMENT at NoHo Arts Center and at Rogue Machine where designed sound for their award nominated world premiere production of TREEFALL (Ovation Award nomination) as well as designing sound for Steppenwolf playwright Lisa Dillman's Los Angeles premiere of HALF OF PLENTY. Joseph just completed production on the short film THE GREAT FANTASTIC.

PHILIP GALLER (Lighting Design) has worked on shows such as the 63rd Annual Tony Awards, American Music Awards, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and has done extensive work for Disney Imagineering. His Project coordination credits include the Ford Explorer 2011 Reveal. Philip founded PSG Lghting, which provides lighting design services around the country. His work encompasses theatrical performances, dance, television, and film. Recently he designed the Honda E2 Booth at Fox Studios for the Producers Guild of America. Theatrical productions include RUN FOR YOUR WIFE and IRISH CHRISTMAS TOUR.

What: The American Premiere of ME, AS A PENGUIN

Playwright: Tom Wells
Directed by: John Pleshette
Produced by: Lynn Pleshette
Presented by: The Lost Studio

Where:
THE LOST STUDIO
130 S. La Brea Avenue
(Between 1st & 2nd)
Los Angeles, California 90036

When:
Opening: Friday, January 14, 2010 with reception to follow
Running: Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 4pm
Closing: March 6, 2011

How:
For reservations call: (323) 960-7721 or visit www.plays411.com/me

How Much:
Tickets are $25

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