BWW Preview: Encore Theatre District Will Open its 2018-19 Season with a Staged Reading of LYDIA, and Follow With Four Plays

One of the newest community theatres in the area is the Encore Theatre District, which is about to open its second season. Encore's mission statement dedicates the company to "[i]ntegrating diversity through the performing arts while inspiring surrounding communities." Its first production of the season, a reprise performance of last year's LYDIA by Octavio Solis, is true to that purpose, telling the story of a Mexican-American family in crisis, living in Texas on the border.

This year's one-night only performance of LYDIA is a staged reading featuring last year's cast, two of whose members (Adriana C. Brenes-Rios and Brianna Maloney), received Desert Theatre League award nominations for their performances. The full cast consists of Adriana C. Brenes-Rios as Rosa, Lindsey Garcia Frieberg as Ceci, Brianna Maloney as Lydia, Manny Rincon as Claudio, Adrian Fernando "Fernie" Vera as Misha, Jose M. Verdejo as Alvaro, and Daniel Zepeda as Rene.

Tickets are $10 at the door, with charge cards accepted. The performance will take place at the Atrium, 69-930 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 7 PM, in the Coachella Valley Repertory conservatory room. Concessions and raffle tickets will be offered.

According to artistic director Tiffanie Patscheck, all of this year's plays involve broken relationships, in one way or other. The rest of the season consists of:

BAGGAGE, by Sam Bobrick (November 29-December 2, 2018). This lighthearted play tells the tale of two people who haven't been able to make a relationship work with anyone, but manage to find each other, at the baggage claim in an airport, no less.

THE DEAD MONKEY, by Nick Darke (January 31-February 3, 2019). Esteemed local actor Richard Marlow is directing this dark comedy, with an amazing cast. This play explores the broken relationship between a husband and wife as well as the husband himself.

DURANG, DURANG, DURANG, by Christopher Durang (April 11-14, 2019). A festival of one act comedies written by Christopher Durang. Six plays (The Actor's Nightmare, 'dentity Crisis, DMV Tyrant, Canker Sores and other Distractions, Naomi in the Living Room and Women in a Playground) with three different directors, including Richard Marlow and two actors trying their first hand at directing, Brent Anderson and Adrian Fernando "Fernie" Vera. Hilarity for all!

FALLING, by Deanna Jent (May 17-26, 2019). A play that boldly explores the reality of a family of a low-functioning autistic young man. When a relative comes to visit, the whole family is thrown out of equilibrium, and each character must find a balance between what is good for everyone and what is good for them. The play asks tough questions about loving someone who is hard to love. A portion of the ticket sale proceeds will be donated to the local Coachella Valley Autism Society.

Other than the staged reading of LYDIA, performances will take place at the Black Box Theatre at Palm Springs High School, 2401 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262. For more information, contact (760) 999-0052 or encoretd@hotmail.com, or check the Web site at sites.google.com/site/encoretheatredistict/.

Photo Credit: Andrew Patscheck

To post a comment, you must register and login.