San Diego Rep Presents THE SEAFARER, 11/20 - 12/13

SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE will presents THE SEAFARER, the comic-drama that has become a holiday hit on American stages across the country since its Broadway debut in 2007. Directed by DELICIA TURNER SONNENBERG, this rousing drama recounts the story of four lifelong friends who get together on Christmas Eve and end up making a bet with the devil in disguise. Performances begin in previews on Saturday, November 14, 2009, with an Opening Night performance on Friday, November 20 at 8pm and continue through December 13, 2009 at The Lyceum Theatre.

Written by one of Ireland's most celebrated young playwrights, CONOR MCPHERSON, THE SEAFARER transports audiences to a bungalow just north of Dublin, a magical part of the world where the natural and the supernatural live side by side with the hard-living working man. THE SEAFARER features a powerhouse of talent, including: ARMIN SHIMERMAN as the belligerently funny Richard Harkin; RON CHOULARTON as his secret-laden brother Sharky; ROBERT TOWNSEND as the small town hustler Nicky, PAUL KRUSE as the bumbling sidekick Ivan, and REP Artistic Director SAM WOODHOUSE as the Prince of Darkness, determined to go "home" with the biggest prize possible. THE SEAFARER features a set designed by ROBIN ROBERTS. 

In a forgotten corner of Northern Dublin on Christmas Eve, four old friends have gathered in a well-worn bungalow to face the holidays the only way they know how: with a bottle of whiskey and a deck of cards. A crusty old sot, recently blinded by dumpster diving on Halloween, is wielding a walking stick like a club while ferociously bellowing Christmas carols. His brother is on day two without a drink and his hair-trigger temper is barely in check. Neighborhood buddies join the fray, bringing a mysterious, natty stranger who wants a piece of the action. With eyebrows curling up diabolically, the newcomer's sinister behavior raises the stakes to the highest level.

THE SEAFARER will play November 14 - December 13, 2009, with an opening night of Friday, November 20, 2009 at 8pm at The Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza. Previews are Sat 8pm, Sun 7pm, Tue 7pm, Wed 7pm and Thu 8pm.  The regular performance schedule is Wednesday 7pm (no performance on Dec 9); Thursday 8pm; Friday 8pm; Saturday 2pm (on Nov 28 only) and 8pm; Sunday, Nov 22 2pm; Sunday, Nov 29 7pm; Sunday, Dec 6 & 13 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $27-47 (Student Discount $18) and available through the Lyceum Box Office (619) 544-1000
 or www.sdrep.org

ARMIN SHIMERMAN (Richard Harkin) was last seen at San Diego REPertory Theatre during King Lear when he played the role of The Fool. His Broadway credits include Threepenny Opera, St. Joan, Broadway, Richard Rodgers' I Remember Mama. The Old Globe: Richard III, Love's Labors Lost, Merry Wives of Windsor; American Shakespeare Festival: Henry V; Indiana Repertory Theatre: Hoagy, Bix, Wolfgang Beethoven Bunkhaus. Guthrie Theatre : Threepenny Opera, Camille, Wild Oats. Los Angeles Theater - Matrix Theater: Birthday Party (LA Drama Critic's Circle Nom. Lead Performance);LATC: Petrified Forest; Odyssey Theatre: Misalliance, Standup Shakespeare ; Mark Taper:Richard II. Armin has appeared on more than 100 TV shows including "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" where he played Principal Snyder and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" where he played Quark.

SAM WOODHOUSE (Mr. Lockhart) co-founded San Diego REPertory Theatre with D.W. Jacobs in 1976, and has since served as its producing and artistic director. He has worked as a director, producer and actor on more than 150 REP productions. He has performed as an actor on the REP stages in the title role of King Lear, Proof, Hamlet, K2, Beyond Therapy, as Elvis in Are You Lonesome Tonight? and with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in the title role of Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat. In 2003, he was awarded the Patté Shiley Award for Lifetime Achievement by KPBS and the prestigious Alonzo Award by the Downtown San Diego Partnership. In January 2006, he and Jacobs were honored with the Craig Noel Award by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle for 30 years of artistic dedication to downtown and diversity.

ROBERT TOWNSEND (Nicky) returns to the REP after starring in the critically acclaimed hit I Love You, You're Perfect... and as Nephew Fred in A Christmas Carol. He recently toured the country in national tours of Mamma Mia and Camelot. His other regional credits include the title role in Jekyll and Hyde (Ovation Award), Trevor Graydon (Thoroughly Modern Millie), and Percival Blakeney (Scarlet Pimpernel). SD credits include Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls at SDMT), The Beast (Beauty and the Beast at Moonlight), Chris (Miss Saigon at Starlight), and Curly (Oklahoma! at the Welk).

PAUL JAMES KRUSE (Ivan Curry) has appeared in REP productions such as The Threepenny Opera, Loot, Thin Air and A Christmas Carol. Additional local credits include: Too Old for The Chorus and Gilligan's Island; The Musical on Theatre in Old Town stage. Some of his favorite recent accomplishments: School for Husbands, The Flying Doctor, and The Three Cornered Hat with the Old Globe. Paul has toured to Chicago and Toronto with the Rep/L.A. Buddy production of Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story, appeared off Broadway in A Midsummer's Night Dream, Man of La Mancha, Jesus/Lamar in the East Coast tri-state touring company of Godspell, and Stop the World, I Want To Get Off! Television credits: "Renegade," "Silk Stalkings," "Edna Buchanan," "America's Most Wanted," "Mixed Nuts" and CBS's "The Ex-list."

RON CHOULARTON (Sharky) has starred in performances all across the county including Peter & The Starcatchers (La Jolla Playhouse). Sight Unseen; Moon For The Misbegotten; Da (Old Globe). Christmas Carol - 3, The Clean House (San Diego Rep). A few of his other credits include M Butterfly, Breaking the Code, The Foreigner, Terra Nova, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, A Christmas Carol - 2 (North Coast Rep). Gangster No One, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Reckless, Vigil (Fritz Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Enchanted April (Lambs Players). My Fair Lady, St Nicholas (Cygnet Theatre). The Caretaker (Renaissance Theatre). Three Sisters, New Village Arts (Ensemble member). His film and TV credits include The Dark, Splitsville, Pensacola, Renegade; and he wrote/presented KPBS Britcom intros. Ron has been awarded numerous Dramalogue, San Diego Critic's Circle, Patté, and SD Playbill Awards.

DELICIA TURNER SONNENBERG (Director) is the founding Artistic Director of MOXIE Theatre. Before MOXIE, Delicia worked as Artistic Associate of San Diego Repertory Theatre as a part of the Theatre Communications Group's New Generations Program: Future Leaders. Some San Diego directing credits include: MOXIE Theatre: The Butcher of Baraboo (co-director), Bleeding Kansas, The Listener, Bluebonnet Court, Rhubarb or How to Play With a Rollergirl, The Treatment, Pulp, Gibson Girl, Dog Act, and Kimberly Akimbo. San Diego REP: The Good Body, Miss Witherspoon, Intimate Apparel, and Proof (co director w/Sam Woodhouse). Cygnet Theatre: Fences. New Village Arts Theatre: Hamlet and Prelude to a Kiss. Diversionary Theatre: Fit to be Tied, Bluebonnet Court, and Pulp. 6th @ Penn Theatre: Sophocles' Antigone, Euripides' Children of Heracles translated by Marianne MacDonald. Honors and awards include: San Diego Critics Circle "Craig Noel" awards, Patte awards, a Women's International Center Living Legacy Award, The Des McAnuff New Visions Award for "Risk Taking Leadership" from the San Diego Critics Circle and a SD Playbill "Billie" award.

Events Surrounding THE SEAFARER
What Americans Don't Get about the Irish

Saturday, November 14 @ 6pm (prior to the 7pm show)
The Irish have had a seismic impact upon America. But just what is that we don't get about the unique people and culture of this island that is no larger than the state of Connecticut? Grace Delaney, a Dublin native and assistant director for The Seafarer, hosts an entertaining conversation with these "experts" on all things Irish: John Hyatt, San Diego editor of The Irish Herald; Mick Ward, raconteur and co-owner of The Ould Sod on Adams Avenue-one of San Diego's most authentic Irish pubs; Liam O'Neill, Gaelic Football administrator, coach and player who played for Gallway in four All Ireland Finals - a sports event comparable to America's Super Bowls; Pat Flannery, from County Mayo and writer of BlogofSanDiego.com and Fergal O'Doherty, a native of Derry, Northern Ireland, who has lived and taught Irish literature and writing classes at Palomar College since 1999.

Men Alone-The Myth of Boys Will be Boys
Sunday, November 15 @ 6pm (prior to the 7pm show)
From frat parties to legendary "smoke filled rooms" to Men's Movement forest retreats, something unusual usually happens when it's just men alone. Join our special guests Frederico Moramarco, author of The Poetry of Men's Lives, and Men of Our Times, and Kathleen Jones, former chair of the Centre for Women's Studies at SDSU, for an intimate conversation about just what happens with men when there are no women around.

Ireland Speaks...Write Out Loud
Tuesday, November 17 @ 6pm (prior to the 7pm show)
Walter Ritter and Veronica Murphy founded Write Out Loud San Diego in 2007 and have since delighted audiences with an elegant idea: skilled actors reading the written words of great fiction writers. Join Write Out Loud as they share memorable writing from three great stories by three great Irish writers. We think you will agree with San Diego Theatre Scene, which praised the company saying, "There is magic in the voice-especially when it brings great words to life." Find out more at WriteOutLoudSD.com

An Irish American Family: The History and Legacy of the Kennedys
Wednesday, November 18 @ 6pm (prior to the 7pm show)
Triumph and tragedy mark the extraordinary history of Irish immigrants that became American royalty: the Kennedys. This program will reflect on the personalities, the policies, and the extraordinary popularity of three brothers who dreamed of a better future for America and the world and asked, "Why not?" Esteemed guests include San Diego icon George Mitrovich, president of the local City Club and former press aid to Bobby Kennedy, and SDSU Professor of American History John Putman.

Talkin' Theatre with Todd
Thursday, November 19 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
San Diego REP Associate Artistic Director Todd Salovey brings you up close and personal with the artistic process of the creation of the REP's newest production. The Seafarer director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, award-winning director and artistic director of Moxie Theatre, will speak on casting and imagining the production. Scenic designer Robin Roberts will spark your imagination with images that inspired the set design. Irish dialect coach Grace Delaney will teach YOU how to brogue with the best of 'em.

Get Your (Poker) Game On!
Saturday, November 21 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
Richard Lederer, bestselling author and award winning broadcaster, is also a prize "breeder" of world-class poker players. He taught his children, Annie Duke and Howard Lederer, how to play the game and so far they have won $11 million. Richard will be on hand to share his thoughts on poker and a few tips for making the best of the hand you are dealt.

House of Ireland Night
Friday, November 27 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
Among The House of Pacific Relations International
Cottages at Balboa Park is The House of Ireland, founded during the California International Exposition of 1935-36 for the purpose of dissemination of history and culture for both Irish and Irish Americans, and for promoting good citizenship and to bring people together in friendship. To that end, they sponsor a variety of cultural activities. There will be music, cultural artifacts on display, and representatives on hand in our lobby to answer questions about all that The House of Ireland has to offer. Visit www.irish-cottage.net for more info.

Not Your Daddy's Irish Music
Saturday, November 28 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
One of the nation's premier Irish/World Fusion bands, Skelpin' has been known to drive an audience to uncontrollable bouts of hand clapping with its strong, rollicking sounds featuring the very best in original and contemporary Irish music. Led by lyrical fiddler Patric Petrie, the group's "Wild Irish Rose," Skelpin' combines hard-driving Irish and world beats with a generous dose of Celto-Iberian flair and romantic soul. Visit skelpin.com.

Travel to Ireland
Sunday, November 29 @ 6pm (prior to the 7pm show)
Travel to Ireland and see where The Seafaerer was born! Join San Diego travel agents who specialize in Ireland travel for a view of life on the Emerald Isle. Highlights will include authentic and creative travel adventures, such as theatre tours, outdoor activities and cultural expeditions. Whether you're traveling with a group, solo, or making this a family event, Ireland is a terrific value for your money and travel time.

Irish Dance with Malone Academy
Wednesday, December 2 @ 6pm (prior to the 7pm show)
Don't miss this amazing opportunity to see traditional Irish dance up close and personal. A performance by San Diego's own Malone Academy of Irish Dance directed by 8-time Western Region Champion and World Championship medalist Michelle Malone-Chiles, TCRG. Join us in this festive celebration of one of Ireland's greatest cultural gifts.

Sam's Salon: Sympathy For The Devil-The Good, The Bad and The Wicked
Thursday, December 3 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
In addition to his surprise appearance in The Seafarer, The Prince of Darkness looms large in Irish literature and folklore-as do his fellow travelers the Pooka, the Banshee, fairies, leprechauns and Dracula.
Hosting is Dr. Marianne McDonald, an opinionated scholar from UCSD, who carries an Irish passport to prove she's mastered blarney-speak and who regularly gets lost in the hills and mists of the emerald isle. McDonald hosts a conversation about all things supernatural and Irish with two former residents of the island: Denys Horgan, who grew up in the shadow of the Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains, where the devil really did appear to a bunch of drunken gamblers in the 1700s; and Fergal O'Doherty, the youngest of nine brothers from Derry, Northern Ireland, who has lived and taught Irish literature and writing classes at Palomar College for ten years. The Salon begins with the popular Irish toast, "May you be in Heaven a full half hour before the Devil knows you're dead."

mingle@theREP
Friday, December 4 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
A pre-show happy hour for mingling and music. Tickets are only $25 and include one free drink! Use promo code MING when purchasing tickets.

The Dramatic World Of Playwright Conor McPherson
Thursday, December 10 @ 7pm (prior to the 8pm show)
The New York Times hailed the 38-year-old Conor McPherson as "Quite possibly the finest playwright of his generation." Find out for yourself why McPherson's haunting, poetic, and magical plays have captured the imagination of theatergoers worldwide. Join a trio of the REP's favorite actors-Ron Choularton and Grace Delaney-for their reading of vivid scenes from McPherson's acclaimed plays, including The Weir, St. Nicholas, his most recent work The Birds.

Coming up next at the REP ~ From January 9 - 31, 2010, San Diego will be blown away by boom, a cataclysmic comedy about a young marine biologist and his preparation for the world's end. Next, America's premier Latino comedy troupe CULTURE CLASH returns to the Lyceum Theatre February 18- March 7, 2010 with CULTURE CLASH IN AMERICCA, an astonishing portrait of America in the 21st t century, including some new San Diego-specific material. From March 21 - April 11, 2010, the REP will present the workshop production of A WEEKEND WITH PABLO PICASSO, Herbert Siguenza's new one-man show which pays homage to one of the greatest and most controversial artists of the 20th century.

The REP's box office is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12pm - 6pm on non-performance days and 12pm - curtain on performance days. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate. For more information, please see our website at www.sdrep.org.
Subscriptions run $68-$282. The REP offers subscribers an extensive package of benefits, including the lowest prices available; free ticket exchange privileges; discounts on individual tickets; and the opportunity to upgrade to a Premier Patron Package which features seating in the best 75 seats in each theatre venue. Premier Patron seating also offers an additional voucher for a friend and free drink coupons for the season.

San Diego Repertory Theatre 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. San Diego Repertory Theatre feeds the curious soul. To learn more about the San Diego Repertory Theatre, visit www.sdrep.org.

 

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