West Coast Ensemble Presents 'THE GRADUATE,' Previews 2/11

West Coast Ensemble presents the first show of their 2009 season, THE GRADUATE, adapted by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Charles Webb, and the motion picture screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, THE GRADUATE will be directed by Jules Aaron (Great Expectations). THE GRADUATE will preview on Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12 at 8:00pm and will open on Friday, February 13 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, April 5 at the new home of West Coast Ensemble - The El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood.

Based on the landmark 1967 film, this is a wry and witty look at the social mores of the 1960's. Recent graduate Benjamin Braddock comes home from college and promptly becomes embroiled in an affair with the wife of his father's business partner.... and her daughter. With its theme of innocent youth betrayed by a corrupt older generation, this biting satire defined an era and perfectly captured the spirits of the times.

Terry Johnson (Playwright) is a British dramatist and director working for stage, television and film. He is a Literary Associate at the Royal Court Theatre. At The Court he directed Dumb Show by Joe Penhall and opened his play Piano/FortE. Johnson's stage work has been produced around the world and he has won nine British Theatre awards including the Olivier Award for Best Comedy 1994 and 1999, Playwright of the Year 1995, Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for Best New Play 1995, two Evening Standard Theatre Awards, the Writers' Guild Award for Best Play 1995 and 1996, the Meyer-Whitworth Award 1993 and the John Whiting Award 1991.

He has had many West End productions as director and/or writer including: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Hitchcock Blonde, Entertaining Mr Sloane, The Graduate, Dead Funny, Hysteria, Elton John's Glasses and The Memory of Water.

He has worked with Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, directing John Malkovich in The Libertine (nominated for five Joseph Jefferson Awards including Best Production) and Lost Land, both plays by Stephen Jeffreys.

He has written and directed television drama that has been broadcast worldwide, most recently "Not Only But Always" for Channel 4, which won five International Award nominations, Best Film at Banff, and a BAFTA for Rhys Ifans. The film version of his play Insignificance (directed by Nicolas Roeg) was the official British Entry at Cannes Film Festival in 1985.

JULES AARON (Director) has directed more than 250 productions for stage and television and is the recipient of 18 Drama-Logue Awards, three Backstage Garland Awards, four Bay Area Theatre Awards, three LA Drama Critics Circle nominations and one LADCC Award for director. He has directed frequently at the Public Theater in New York, Actors Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival), South Coast Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, New Mexico Repertory, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Falcon Theatre, TheatreWorks and La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts. Jules has directed Bruce Davison, Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, Joan Van Ark, Billy Zane, and Mercedes Ruehl, among others. Most recently he was the recipient of the Granada Chair at UC Davis where he directed Noises Off . He directed a benefit of Last Night Of Ballyhoo at the Wilshire Theatre and an acclaimed production of Cabaret at ITC. Jules will also be directing Ballyhoo for McCoy/Rigby at La Mirada this spring. He teaches at American Academy of Dramatic Art.

The cast of THE GRADUATE features Ben Campbell, Jerry Lloyd, Cindy Yantis, Kelly Lloyd, Jim Keily, Michelle Exarhos, Sara Stuckey, Chris Muto and Bill Tigue

THE GRADUATE has assembled an award-winning design team. The Set design is by Stephen Gifford. The Lighting Design is by J. Kent Inasy. The Costume Design is by Shon LeBlanc. The Sound Design is by Rebecca Kessin. The production is Stage Managed by Erin Bedinger and Produced for WCE by Richard Israel and Bill Tigue.

THE GRADUATE will open Friday, February 13 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, April 5 at The El Centro Theater, 800 N. El Centro Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038. Preview performances will be Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12 at 8:00pm. Ticket prices are $10 previews, $20 general, $18 student/senior/union. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm. For tickets, please visit www.tix.com or call the West Coast Ensemble Box Office at 323-460-4443.

Founded in 1981 by Les Hanson, West Coast Ensemble Theatre has been a part of the Los Angeles theatre community for 27 years. A membership theatre ensemble, WCE is dedicated to presenting high quality theatrical productions which address the social, cultural and artistic needs of the Los Angeles community while providing an artistic home for its membership. Recent award-winning productions include Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, Tim Acito's ZANNA, DON'T!, Jim Geoghan's TWO GENTLEMEN OF CORONA, and Adam Guettel and Tina Landau's FLOYD COLLINS.

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