STEAL HEAVEN Premiere Begins Tonight at San Diego Rep

San Diego REPertory Theatre (San Diego REP) presents "Steal Heaven," a world premiere production by Herbert Siguenza and directed by Todd Salovey and Siguenza. Previews begin tonight, Jan. 3, 2015. Opening night is Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 in the Lyceum Space.

Hoffman was the political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ("Yippies") in 1968. In this comedy written by Siguenza, the icon of youthful rebellion now serves as the patron saint of radicals. In his little corner of heaven, Hoffman conducts a boot camp for activists who have the chutzpah required to go back to Earth to become new agents of change.

Trish, played by Summer Spiro, is a young veteran-turned activist, who finds herself at the pearly gates. Hoffman senses he may have finally found the right combination of anger, courage, and cunning wit, to make change and take on the challenges of the 21st century. He calls in his comrades John Lennon and Albert Einstein, performed by the versatile Mark Pinter, to see if Trish has what it takes.

Salovey, who celebrates his 25th year as San Diego REP's associate artistic director, directs this world premiere comedy with Siguenza.

San Diego REPertory Theatre's production of "Steal Heaven" is a recipient of a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Art Works Grant. NEA Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,474 eligible applications under the Art Works category, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 919 are recommended for grants for a total of $26.6 million.

"Steal Heaven" will run Jan. 3 to Jan. 25, 2015 (Opening: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015). Performances are Tuesday (first week only) at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Lyceum Space, San Diego REPertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, Calif. 92101-6144. Prices: Tickets start at $31 to $75 / Students $18. Discounts for groups, seniors and military available. For group sales, call Kristen Schweizer at (619) 231-3586 ext. 617. San Diego REP Box Office (619) 544-1000. Tickets available for purchase online at www.sdrep.org. Four hours free parking in the Horton Plaza Garage with validation at the theatre.

Surround Events Schedule for "Steal Heaven" as of Dec. 2, 2014:
Calling all curious souls! Join us in the lobby of the Lyceum Theatre for a mixture of entertainment and enlightenment before (and sometimes after) the show. These Surround Events are free and open to the public. Grab a beverage or a snack from our bar, soak in the activities, and then enjoy the show.

Radical Dreams: Stanley Levison to MLK to Abbie Hoffman
Sunday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. (Before the 7 p.m. show)
Ben Kamin, a nationally-known clergyman, teacher, counselor, and the author of ten books on human values, civil rights, and spirituality joins us for a conversation on some of the most famous activists in American history. Kamin is a dynamic speaker who appears frequently on radio and television and serves on national boards dealing with interfaith relations and promises a conversation worth partaking in!

Trivia Night: Pop Culture of the 1960s and Today
Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. (Before the 7 p.m. show)
Sending a 2014 protestor to heaven to learn from the 1960s radical Abbie Hoffman meant there was some trouble in communication. Trish does not know what "That's a gas!" means, but Abbie is not sure if "My phone is dead" is a scary thing or not. Come combine your 1960s and present day trivia knowledge in a smorgasbord of nostalgia and quick-answer fun.

Talkin' Theatre with Todd
Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. (Before the 8 p.m. show)
Join Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP, as he sits down with Herbert Siguenza, playwright and actor of "Steal Heaven," and Tom Hayden, longtime activist and former California Senator. Siguenza is a co-founder of Culture Clash, producer, advocate, actor and artist. Hayden has over 50 years of activism, politics, and was named "the single greatest figure of the 1960s student movement" according to The New York Times book review. This is sure to be a fascinating conversation!

Live Piano: Music of the 1960s
Friday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. (Before the 8 p.m. show)
Be transported to a groovier decade before the play takes you there. Enjoy talented local teachers and aficionados from AmateurPianists as they take you on an extraordinary journey of music written during music's golden era.

Sam's Salon: Activist San Diego
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. (Before the 8 p.m. show)
We have studied famous activists and protests from the past, some of us followed the 2011 Occupy Movement, but what activist activity is happening in San Diego today? Leaders and members from Activist San Diego and the network for social justice at KNSJ 89.1 FM join Sam Woodhouse, artistic director, San Diego REP, for a look at how San Diegans are working today to promote and facilitate the development of a more progressive community.

Meet the Artists
Friday, Jan. 16 After the 8 p.m. show
After the show, join the stars of "Steal Heaven" for an open discussion of the work onstage. Bring your questions and comments. Hosted by Jacole Kitchen, casting director, San Diego REP.

Amigos Del REP Poetry Slam
Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. (Before the 8 p.m. show)
Join Amigos del REP as they rise up together in a spoken word, poetry jam! Hear their rhythmic angst as they slam against establishment, against the man, against this, that and anything else that comes to poetic minds. Amigos Dave Rivas, John Padilla, Melissa Agudelo and San Diego REP's very own Jacole Kitchen lead the Amigos in an all out jam of slam!

The Women's Museum of California: The Art of Activism
Sunday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. (Before the 2 p.m. show)
Anne Hoiberg, board president, Women's Museum of California, sits down with a dynamic panel of female activists for an in-depth look at the women leading the way for San Diego activism.
Dilkhwaz Ahmed, an immigrant-women's right activist from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Rabbi
Laurie Coskey, executive director of the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, Carol Jahnkow, director, Emerita of the Peace Resource Center ofSan Diego and Judy Foreman, woman's right and community activist will partake in an inventive talk-show format of questioning and sparring sure to be a must-see.

Reality Changers
Sunday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. (Before the 8 p.m. show)
Who are the "agents of change" in our community? On Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 come hear the real-life stories of the students in Reality Changers, aSan Diego-based program that began in 2001 with just $300 and less than two miles away from the REP! Today, Reality Changers' students have overcome tremendous odds to earn millions of dollars in college scholarships. Does it take a "radical activist" to become successful in a part of town where less than three percent of adults have college diplomas?

Social Song Through the Time
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. (Before the 4 p.m. show)
Every generation faces the world's social challenges in new and similar ways. To show that we continue to learn from those before and after us, SanDiego Creative Arts Project young artists will perform protest songs through the ages. Music from talents such as Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, Peter Gabriel, The Clash and more interpreted by today's youth through vocal talent, dance, and movement theatre. Directed by Laura Hodge and David Freeman.

Finest City Improv
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. (Before the 8 p.m. show)
It has been hypothesized that the best way to identify difficult issues in order to incite change is to make those listening laugh. San Diego's premiere comedy group Finest City Improv joins us to do just that. Come enjoy sketches on protests, protestors, and America all created on-the-spot based on suggestions from you in the audience.

In the Gallery
From the Civil Rights Movement to suburban sprawl, the 1950s, 60s, and 70s were a time of cultural transformation in the United States. Artwork in the lower gallery echoes mid-twentieth century artistic themes: protest, high Modernist abstraction, the return to figuration, and the seeds of Postmodernism. Presented by the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild. The Lyceum Gallery is open from 12 noon to 6 p.m. weekdays except holidays and matinees.

About San Diego REPertory Theatre - San Diego REPertory Theatre (San Diego REP) produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. We promote a more inclusive community through vivid works that nourish progressive political and social values and celebrate the multiple voices of our region. Founded in 1976, San DiegoREPertory Theatre is downtown San Diego's resident theatre, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values. The company produces and hosts over 300 events and performances year-round on its three stages at the Lyceum Theatre. Since moving to the Lyceum, the REP has produced 45 main stage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, Backstage West, Dramalogue, and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented the REP with the Craig Noel Award "For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity." San Diego REPertory Theatre feeds the curious soul.

To learn more about San DiegoREPertory Theatre, to purchase tickets, or make a donation, visit www.sdrep.org. Join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandiegorep) and follow us on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP).

To post a comment, you must register and login.