Pear Theatre To Present World Premiere Of SOJURN In March

Pear Theatre continues its season with the World Premiere of "Sojourn" by playwright Evan Kokkila-Schumacher, directed by Caroline Clark. Set in the later half of this century, "Sojourn" follows two astronauts on a life-long mission into the cosmos.

"Sojourn" previews on March 14, with press and Opening Night on Friday, March 15 (followed by a champagne gala). The show runs Thursdays through Sundays through April 7. All performances are held at the Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.thepear.org or calling (650) 254-1148.

Astronauts Nick and Deanna left Earth five years ago on a one-way mission into the cosmos aboard their vessel, Sojourn. As they journey further from home, their ship provides the means for survival, but the mission itself and the isolation of space threaten to divide them. This futuristic yet timely play explores the fate of humanity in an ever-expanding universe.

The cast for this world premiere includes Drew Benjamin Jones and Laura Domingo as astronauts Nick Wentz and Deanna Lillis, with Melissa Jones, Richard Holman, Cynthia Branch Lagodzinski as NASA staff Marta, Garett, and Kaitlyn supporting them from Earth. Rachel Bratt stage manages with Ellen Schwartz as assistant stage manager, Ting-Na Wang handles set design, Charlie Hoyt designs sound and projections, and lighting design will be by Ben Hemmen.

Director Caroline Clark has helmed several productions at Pear Theatre, including the award-winning "In the Next Room, or, the Vibrator Play"; "Uncanny Valley"; the world premiere of "The Walls of Jericho," and "Kimberly Akimbo." She has also directed the world premiere of "The Hood of Sherwood" at Silicon Valley Shakespeare, "Desperate Hearts" (Lights Up! Festival) at City Lights Theatre Company, and Dustin Lance Black's "8: The Play" and "The Vagina Monologues" at The Empty Space. As an actress, she was also seen on stage as Susan in "[Title of Show]" at Los Altos Stage Company; as BoBug in "Geeks VS Zombies" at Pear Theatre; and as Holly in "Next Fall" and as Prudence in "Beyond Therapy" (The Empty Space). Clark currently serves on the Steering Committee for Pear Theatre. For more information, visit www.Carolinemclark.com.

Evan Kokkila-Schumacher is a playwright, actor, and musician living in Colorado. He has been a member of the Pear Playwrights Guild since 2014 and has produced three one-act plays as part of Pear Slices: "Duelin' for Keeps," "The Wheel of Fortune," and "Not All That Glimmers is Gold." Plays produced elsewhere include "We Need to Talk" and the full-length punk-rock opera "Don't Abandon Me." He appeared in fifteen plays while he lived in the Bay Area, including several at the Pear, such as "Uncanny Valley," "Beard of Avon," and "A King's Legacy." He also co-founded and wrote for the sketch-comedy group, Fireplace Puppies, including a classic about murderous sloths and why you should be afraid. For more information visit www.evanks.com.

Pear Theatre began as the Pear Avenue Theatre in June 2002, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Tasca, by a group of theatre artists who believe that audiences are eager for plays that challenge as well as delight and move them. Pear Theatre produces intimate theatre by passionate artists, whether classic works or cutting-edge plays. Now in its seventeenth season, The Pear attracts theatre artists and audience from all over the Bay Area for its award-winning and high-quality productions; and its ongoing commitment to excellence was recognized by the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle with the Paine Knickerbocker Award, an annual special award for a Bay Area company contributing to the high quality of theatre in the region.

Pear Theatre moved in 2015 from its original 40-seat warehouse space to a new, state-of-the-art black box theatre close by, with capacity of 75-99 seats depending on the configuration of the production. This exciting move allows The Pear to continue its tradition of intimate theatre while taking on new challenges and opportunities. In August 2017, Betsy Kruse Craig took the helm as the new Artistic Director.

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