The Old Globe to Present Works by Veterans in During WATER BY THE SPOONFUL Run

-2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Water by the Spoonful is an exciting new play from Quiara Alegría Hudes, the playwright behind the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights. Elliot Ortiz is back in the States after serving in Iraq, reconnecting with family and starting a new life. At the same time, four strangers in an internet chat room seek support to face demons of their own, and soon the real world and the virtual one start to intersect in unexpected ways.

The Old Globe begins performances on April 12 of the California premiere of this award-winning play. Directed by Edward Torres, Water by the Spoonful will run through May 11 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run April 12 - April 16. Opening night is Thursday, April 17 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

As part of its continuing commitment to new ways of better serving the community through its art, The Old Globe has partnered with with local organizations Combat Arts and So Say We All and is happy to host an exhibit of art by returning veterans in Hattox Hall, above the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Curated by local artist and Combat Arts founder Elizabeth Washburn, the exhibit opens with a kick-off celebration on April 12 and will remain on display throughout the run of Water by the Spoonful. Exhibit hours will be one hour prior to performance, as well as full days on free Tuesdays, April 15 and April 22.

As part of the exhibit, a video installation from So Say We All showcases selected interviews from its Veteran Writers Program. So Say We All received seed money from Cal Humanities and The Center for the Book, in partnership with Oceanside and Downtown Central Libraries, to institute and facilitate a creative writing program and publication that serves veterans throughout the Southern California region. Its 2014 program, "Homecoming," focuses on the journey veterans and their families experience during the transition from military to civilian life. More information can be found at www.sosayweallonline.com.

In conjunction with So Say We All Executive Director Justin Hudnall, the Globe will also host an evening of local veterans performing stories they have written about their service on Monday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. Selected participants from So Say We All's Veteran Writers Program take the stage to perform stories from the forthcoming 2014 anthology, "Homecoming," featuring darkly funny and surprising stories from those who served.

INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. FREE. Informal presentations of ideas and insights to enhance the theatregoing experience. The seminar features a panel selected from the artistic company of the production and takes place in the theatre where the production is performed. Reception, 6:30 p.m. Seminar, 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, April 22 and 29 and Wednesday, May 7. FREE. Discuss the play with members of the Water by the Spoonful cast and crew at post-show discussions led by the Globe's creative staff after the performances.

SUBJECT MATTERS: Saturday, May 10. FREE. Following the 2:00 p.m. performance, explore the ideas and issues raised by the production through brief, illuminating post-show discussions with local experts. Guest speakers Elizabeth Washburn of Combat Arts and Justin Hudnall of So Say We All will speak about their work with returning veterans and will offer audience members a guided tour of the exhibit of artwork by local veteran artists and writers.

Photo by Jim Cox

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