San Diego Repertory Theatre presents the World Premiere Of BEACHTOWN

San Diego Repertory Theatre announces the world premiere of Beachtown, the sixth production of its 42nd season. Beachtown, based on Beertown by dog & pony dc, is the most immersive, interactive production in the history of San Diego Rep. Written by the Rep's playwright-in-residence, Herbert Siguenza, with the play's associate director, Rachel Grossman, who is also the co-founder of dog & pony dc. Siguenza, a founding member of Culture Clash, is also known for writing and performing in A Weekend with Pablo Picasso and Manifest Destinitis.

Beachtown Begins: Preview performances of this unique theatrical event begin on Thursday, March 22. Opening night is Wednesday, March 28; the show runs through Sunday, April 15. Beachtown will be performed at San Diego Rep's Lyceum Space Theatre at Horton Plaza.

Before Each Performance: Don't miss the special Beachtown Pre-Show Party that begins 30 minutes before showtime. Bring a dessert to the potluck: Buy or bake it, as long as you share it with your neighbors. Meet the mayor and other notable Beachtonians, snap a selfie to share on social media, pin yourself on Beachtown's "Where Are You From?" map of the world, color on the Beachtown city logo, write about an artifact you love and cherish. Beachtown invites you to the party!

"As the interactive, immersive plot unfolds, the audience is invited to Beachtown's 100th anniversary celebration and experience democracy in action," stated Siguenza. "As a Beachtonian, you are invited to share your voice and your vote and choose-alongside your neighbor-what will go inside Beachtown's time capsule to best represent the values of this beautiful place we call home. Beachtown is unlike any other play I have ever worked on. Each night the audience will determine the result of the celebration. Beachtown will never be the same twice!"

Sam Woodhouse, Beachtown director, who is also co-founder of the Rep and its artistic director, offered his own perspective as to what the audience can expect: "Imagine you live in a small, local community of Beachtown. Given this is Beachtown, you can count on a celebration aimed at breaking down the barriers and discovering our shared dreams for the future of our town. Come ready to voice your opinion, debate vigorously and vote proudly."

Beachtown also features several Rep favorites including Jason Heil (Hand to God, Clybourne Park); Salomon Maya (Manifest Destinitis); and Sandra Ruiz (In the Time of Butterflies, Earthquake Sun). San Diego Rep newcomers include Antonio T.J. Johnson, KPBS Spectrum host, William 'BJ' Robinson, former KGTV 10 News anchor, Lee Ann Kim, and Marci Anne Wuebben.

The creative team includes Sean Fanning (Set Design), Anne McMills (Lighting Design), Anastasia Pautova (Costume Design), Matt Lescault-Wood (Sound Design), Danielle Ward (Associate Producer/Co-Dramaturg), Patrice Amon (Producer-in-Residence/Co-Dramaturg), and Chandra Anthenill (Stage Manager).

Herbert Siguenza (Playwright) is Playwright-In-Residence at the Rep through a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. He is also a founding member of Culture Clash, the most popular and produced Latino ensemble in the nation. For the last thirty years, he has co-written or adapted and performed over fifteen original critically acclaimed award winning plays at prestigious regional theatres around the country. Theatre Communications Group Books has published three compilations of their collective works which includes Radio Mambo, Zorro in Hell! and Chavez Ravine. Siguenza has also written and performed solo works outside the group including Cantinflas! (2003); and A Weekend With Pablo Picasso (2010). (2010) El Henry (2014) Steal Heaven (2015) and Manifest Destinitis (2016). Additionally, Mr. Siguenza recently directed Jose Rivera's Cloud Tectonics for New Village Arts, and his voice is featured in the Oscar nominated animated film Coco.

Sam Woodhouse (Director) co-founded San Diego Rep with D.W. Jacobs in 1976 and has since worked as a director, producer and/or actor on more than 280 productions. As an actor, he has performed on the Rep stages in The Seafarer, in the title role of King Lear, Proof and Hamlet and with the San Diego Symphony in the title role of Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat. His recent directorial work with the Rep includes EVITA, Into the Beautiful North, Manifest Destinitis, Rapture, Blister, Burn, The Oldest Boy, Violet, Oedipus El Rey, Honky, El Henry (with La Jolla Playhouse), Detroit, Venus in Fur, In the Heights, Federal Jazz Project, Clybourne Park, The Who's TOMMY, In the Next Room or the vibrator play, Threepenny Opera and Water & Power. In 2011, he directed American Night: The Ballad of Juan José for the Denver Center Theatre Company. 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 2006, Woodhouse 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.

Rachel Grossman (Associate Director) likes beets, brussels sprouts, bourbon, infographics, action movies, and well-facilitated discussions. As a theatre-maker, she creates work that entwines the audience's experience with the play's narrative, creating plays that feel interactive even when an audience "watches" rather than "does." Rachel is the Ensemble Director and a co-founder of dog & pony dc. With dog & pony dc, Rachel has co-created nearly 20 new plays and interactive experiences, including COURAGE, Beertown, Toast, and Peepshow. Currently Rachel is a lead artist with Gallaudet University's DeafBlind Theatre project, an Executive Producer for the JUBILEE, and a mentor through Arts Marketers Association UK's Audience Diversity Academy. Rachel is responsible for launching Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's "connectivity" initiative and served as the first Connectivity Director. Rachel was one of eight selected to participate in WESTAF's second annual Dinner-vention, hosted by Barry's Blog in 2014. Rachel is a three-time recipient of a DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities' Artist Fellowship grant and received DCCAH support for her newest project: Nice & Lily, a performance for 4-6yos and their parents about openly discussing race. When she's not trying to save the world through theatre, Rachel's practicing yoga, reading non-fiction, or streaming crap television about supernatural phenomenon in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

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