THE DRAWER BOY, GEE'S BEND, BECKY'S NEW CAR & More Set for NCR's '10-'11 Season

Seven plays. Seven San Diego premieres. North Coast Repertory Theatre will light up the stage with a roster of imaginative, first-time productions during the 2010-2011 season. From laugh-filled, captivating comedies to explosive, thought-provoking dramas, Season 29 promises audiences a rewarding theatrical experience in an intimate setting. And there's more welcome news - subscriber ticket prices have been lowered for the season, so you can enjoy all seven plays and save.

Becky's New Car
by Steven Dietz
Directed by David Ellenstein

Written by award-winning Steven Dietz, this frothy, poignant and fresh new comedy is a perfect side trip from the daily woes of modern life. Forty-something Becky Foster has a decent job at an auto dealership, a solid husband, and a freeloading psych-major son living in her basement. Her life is pleasant enough, but through a twist of fate Becky gets to test drive an exciting new life.

"Becky's New Car takes the audience on a smart, comic cruise through the perils of middle-aged longing and regret." (Variety.)

Gee's Bend
by Elizybeth Gregory Wilder
Directed by Yvette Freeman

A moving tale of three generations of women living in an isolated Alabama town chronicles the courage and resiliency of their life's journey. Gee's Bend highlights the life of Sadie Pattway, from her teenage years to her 70s, and the other women in her quilting circle. Their experiences inspired them to create magnificent quilts that were miraculous works of art, and inspired this haunting play filled with music that has swept the country. Likewise, it will stir North Coast Rep audiences long after the lights have faded.

"a touching play with gospel music" (New York Times)
"rich, sly, joyous and impressively complicated " (New York Times)

2 Pianos, 4 Hands
by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt
Directed by Bruce Sevy

Get ready for an interlude of riotous laughter as Mark Anders and Carl Danielson, representing the shows creators, take us on a musical semi-autobiographical journey about their would-be careers as concert pianists. The talented duo trade stories about piano lessons, parents, teachers, and exams while playing everything from Bach to Billy Joel. 2 Pianos, 4 Hands has had audiences cheering around the globe.

"A crescendo of pleasure." (The Washington Post)

The Drawer Boy
by Michael Healey
Directed by David Ellenstein

The lives of two World War II veterans are turned upside down with the arrival of an earnest young actor at their farm doing research for a play. Touching, heartwarming and humorous, we look into the nature of friendship and the redemptive power of story telling as the hearts of the characters are revealed. The Drawer Boy won every major Canadian award when it opened in 1999 and has since been produced around the world.

"a tale of the healing nature of art...outstanding" (Broadway World)
"delivers an emotional punch" (talkinbroadway.com)

King o' the Moon
(Over the Tavern, Part II)
by Tom Dudzick
Directed by TBA

Remember the Pazinski family? Well it's the summer of 1969, the Vietnam War is raging, sexual revolution is in high gear, and an astronaut is about to walk on the moon. The sequel to the hugely popular Over the Tavern transports the Pazinskis from the conservative '50s to the turbulent '60s. Through laughter and tears, the adult Pazinskis tackle weighty issues like divorce, remarriage, war and draft-evasion, all with charm, humor and down to earth common sense.

"Absolutely enchanting...a little bit of heaven!" (Chicago Tribune).

My Name is Asher Lev
by Aaron Posner
adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok
Directed by David Ellenstein
Beauty, truth, ambition and tradition. Based on the acclaimed novel by Chaim Potok, My Name is Asher Lev tells the story of a young Hassidic artist torn between his observant Jewish community and his need to create. Difficult choices between art and faith, passion and family, course through this stirring adaptation of a modern classic, bringing to life the heartbreak and triumph of what it means to be an artist.

"A truly beautiful theatrical experience." (Talkin' Broadway)

Five Course Love
by Gregg Coffin
Directed by Rick Simas

Five dates. Five restaurants. One chance at love. Five Course Love is a hilarious musical roller coaster ride that is equal parts comedy and music sprinkled with generous portions of that elusive search for love. Three actors portray fifteen characters whose amorous combinations are played out in this high-energy screwball comedy using an array of musical styles ranging from pop to country to a spoof of German cabaret to 1950s doo-wop to Italianate opera riffs to Motown and more. Fast-paced fun is served here.

"Lots of laughs." (New York Times)...
"...a pretty tasty experience." (New York Post)

WHEN:
Previews September 1 - 3, 2010
September 4 - 26, 2010
BECKY'S NEW CAR
by Steven Dietz
directed by David Ellenstein

Previews Oct 13 - 15, 2010
October 16 - November 7, 2010
GEE'S BEND
by Elizybeth Gregory Wilder
directed by Yvette Freeman

Previews January 12 - 14, 2011
January 15 - February 6, 2011
2 PIANOS 4 HANDS
by Ted Dykstra
and Richard Greenblatt
directed by Bruce Sevy

Previews February 23 - 25, 2011
February 26 - March 20, 2011
THE DRAWER BOY
by Michael Healey
directed by David Ellenstein

Previews April 13 - 15, 2011
April 16 - May 8, 2011
KING O' THE MOON
sequel to OVER THE TAVERN
by Tom Dudzick

Previews June 1 - 3, 2011
June 4 - 26, 2011
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV
by Aaron Posner
adapted from the novel
by Chaim Potok
directed by David Ellenstein

Previews July 6 - 8, 2011
July 9 - 31, 2011
FIVE COURSE LOVE
by Gregg Coffin
directed by Rick Simas

WHERE:
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075

TICKETS:
Tickets for Season 29 are available only at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, 92075. For ticket information or reservations call (858)-481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org. Box Office hours are Noon to 4:00pm daily and Noon to curtain day of shows.

SINGLE TICKET PRICES/NON-MUSICALS:
Preview tickets are $30.00, Opening Night tickets are $47, Saturday evening and Sunday Matinee tickets are $41.00 and Wednesday - Friday evening and Saturday Matinees and Sunday evening are $37.00. Student/Seniors and Military save $3.00 and Subscriber single tickets are $5.00 off.

SINGLE TICKET PRICES/ MUSICALS:
Preview tickets are $32.00, Opening Night tickets are $50, Saturday evening and Sunday Matinee tickets are $44.00 and Wednesday - Friday evening and Saturday Matinees and Sunday evening are $40.00. Student/Seniors and Military save $3.00 and Subscriber single tickets are $5.00 off.

7 PLAY SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES:
Regular
Senior/Military/Student

Opening Night
Regular: $268.00
Senior/Military/Student: $254.00

Wednesday/Thursday/ Friday Previews
Regular: $170.00
Senior/Military/Student: $163.00

Wed-Friday 8:00PM
Saturday 2:00PM
Sunday 7:00pm
Regular: $212.00
Senior/Military/Student: $200.00

Saturday 8:00PM
Sunday Matinee 2:00PM
Regular: $235.00
Senior/Military/Student: $221.00

SHOWTIMES: Show times are: Previews at 8:00pm. Select Wednesdays at 7:00pm and select Saturday matinees at 2:00pm. Regular show times are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm and select Sunday evenings at 7:00pm.

About the North Coast Repertory Theatre: North Coast Repertory Theatre is a professional equity theatre founded in 1982. For over 28 years, North Coast Rep has received critical acclaim from media and audiences alike. With the fifth largest operating budget of non profit theatres and employing the third most Actors' Equity Association members (the union of professional actors and stage managers) in San Diego, North Coast Rep continues to produce high quality, award winning theatre and has evolved into one of the area's leading performing arts organizations. Located in Solana Beach, California, NCR not only draws its audience from the North County region but 50% of its audience base resides in metro San Diego and throughout Southern California. Recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to quality, this season will be performed on the Blakistone Stage, newly dedicated to North Coast Rep founders Olive Blakistone and her recently departed husband Tom, who passed away in March of 2009.

David Ellenstein is now the Artistic Director and Leader of North Coast Repertory Theatre since 2003. His bio is as follows:

David Ellenstein (Artistic Director) A nationally recognized director and actor, David served as Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre before joining North Coast Rep in 2003. Over 200 career productions include directing 22 shows at North Coast Rep, including TALLEY'S FOLLY, THE DRESSER, OVER THE TAVERN, HALPERN & JOHNSON, THE CHOSEN, and ROMEO AND JULIET. Elsewhere; SONIA FLEW starring Lucie Arnaz, HALPERN AND JOHNSON starring Hal Linden and Brian Murray, and THE CHOSEN starring Theo Bikel and John Lloyd Young at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. Other venues include the Paper Mill Playhouse, Alabama, California, Nevada, Great Lakes, Southwest, and Kingsmen Shakespeare Festivals, Laguna Playhouse, Meadow Brook Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Los Angeles Theatre Center, Portland Repertory Theatre, and Gaslamp Quarter Theatre Company.

Photo of North Coast Repertory Theatre's Artistic Director, David Ellenstein. Photo courtesy of Aaron Rumley.

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