Citizen Josh at Magic Theatre 5/12-6/17

Jonathan Reinis Productions, Z Space Studio and Magic Theatre presents the world premiere of Citizen Josh, written and performed by Josh Kornbluth, to play at the Magic Theatre May 12 - June 17, opening May 19.

Citizen Josh is in collaboration with director David Dower and production designer Alex Nichols.  "Our favorite Red Diaper Baby grows up and tilts at the challenges of fully participating in the American democratic experiment. In signature Kornbluth-ian style, Citizen Josh is funny, smart, moving - and just in time," states press notes, "Inspiration for Citizen Josh came to Kornbluth after the election in 2004, when he came to the conclusion that perhaps, just perhaps, voting was not quite enough.  As a father and a citizen, he wanted answers to several pertinent questions.  How do I make the world a better place for our children?  Where does power come from? Is democracy even possible today? From the red/blue divide to global warming to rebuilding the playground at Berkeley's Ohlone Park, no subject is too big for our Quixotic hero!"

Previews are May 12-18, Opening May 19 at 8:30PM, with performances through June 17.  Show times: Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8:30PM; Sundays at 2:30 & 7PM. No show Tuesday May 15 or 22.

Josh Kornbluth was raised in New York City before moving to San Francisco in 1987. While supporting himself as a temp, he performed at open mikes around the Bay Area before he opened his first autobiographical monologue, Josh Kornbluth's Daily World, at Enrico Banducci's hungry id in North Beach.  Since then he has created and performed several more solo shows, including Haiku Tunnel, The Mathematics of Change, Red Diaper Baby, Ben Franklin: Unplugged, and Love & Taxes. In 2002 Josh collaborated with the San Francisco Mime Troupe on their summer show, Mr. Smith Goes to Obscuristan. A book titled "Red Diaper Baby," collecting three of Josh's early monologues, has just come out in a 2nd edition. Currently the host of an interview program on KQED-TV, cleverly titled "The Josh Kornbluth Show," Josh lives in Berkeley with his wife and son. His website is at www.joshkornbluth.com.

Tickets ($20-$45; Opening Night $75) are available by phone at 415-441-8822, online at www.magictheatre.org, or by visiting the box office (Tue-Friday 12-5PM).  Magic Theatre is located on the 3rd floor of Building D of Fort Mason Center, at the intersection of Marina Blvd and Buchanan Street.

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