The Mendocino Theatre Company continues the celebration of its 40th anniversary by bringing Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Flick to the stage in a special regional premiere, opening June 8th.
At the helm is NYC-based director Stephanie C. Cunningham. This will be her third collaboration with MTC; she previously directed 2015'sVanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and last year's production of Buyer & Cellar. "I am thrilled to be returning to Mendocino," she said in a recent interview. "This warm community has felt like a home away from home for the last two seasons."
The Flick follows three employees of a dilapidated art-house movie theatre in Western Massachusetts as they go about their mundane job. Garnering praise from all corners (as well as numerous coveted awards), the play is unconventional in its hyper-realistic look at the lives of ordinary people that becomes epic under Baker's intensely-focused gaze. "Directing this play is a real treat for me", says Cunningham. "Baker's writing is stellar and I have been wanting to get my hands on the play since I first read it. Though tragic at times, it is a comedy that has genuine moments of laughter and an awkwardness that everyone can remember from their first job and relationships. This will be the only production playing in California for quite a while before the Bay Area can get the rights."
The design team-including local set designer Diane Larson--has transformed the MTC's Helen Schoeni stage into the grungy house of an old cinema, which three talented young professional actors--LA-based Ukiah native Alex Rapport (Sam), and NYC-based actors Erika Vetter (Rose) and Xavier Clark (Avery) -inhabit each night; joining this trio on stage as Skylar/ The Dreaming Man is Mendocino native Gus Mayeno, who also serves as assistant stage manager for the production.
The Flick plays at the Mendocino Theatre Company at 45200 Little Lake Street in Mendocino June 8 through July 16, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 pm and selected Sundays at 2:00 pm.Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for youth 22 and under. For tickets and information, please contact the MTC box office at 707-937-4477 or go to mendocinotheatre.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Preview Performances are on June 8 and 9. Tickets are just $15; or $7 for youth under 22.
Gala Opening Night is June 10th: Tickets include hors d'oeuvres, champagne and a post-show meet and greet with the cast and crew. Tickets are $45.
Sunday Talkback is Sunday, July 2, 2017: A conversation with the actors and director immediately following the 2:00 pm performance.
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