Playwrights Tom Jacobson, Alice Tuan, Oliver Mayer and Michael Premsrirat present new works this weekend.
This weekend (June 12-13), Playwrights’ Arena and Angels Gate Cultural Center present Angels Playfest, readings of new works at Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, Calif. A number of CalArtians are involved with the event, including Deborah LaVine, co-director of the Film Directing Program at CalArts, who directs The Lock of the Five Keys by Tom Jacobson, and a reading of Cocks Crow, a play by Head of Writing for Performance Alice Tuan.
Cocks Crow, directed by Robert Cucuzza (MFA Theater 11) , follows Americans Bill and Shelly of Clean Tech Corp as they arrive in Shanghai desperate to seal a business deal with Han, a representative of their Chinese partner company. But Han has other plans for them. Cocks Crow is an examination of China as en emergent superpower and the dance for dominance between two countries.
CalArts actors Jenny Greer (Theater MFA 11), Tae Geun Kim (Theater MFA 11) and Janice Pak (Theater MFA 11) will perform and present the reading along with director Cucuzza, who pulls double duty as an actor. The cast also includes alumna director and faculty Chi-wang Yang (MFA Theater 07) and LA-based performance artist Kristina Wong.
Here’s the weekend lineup for Angels Playfest:
Saturday, June 12
The Lock of the Five Keys
by Tom Jacobson
at 1 pm
Directed by Deborah LaVine
An American journeys to India to investigate the disappearance of an important professor, but finds himself on a manhunt across three millennia. Tom Jacobson’s epic tale transcends the present and the past to a legendary world where ordinary men meet Indian emperors, demons and gods.
Cocks Crow
by Alice Tuan
at 4 pm
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Wiggle Room
by Oliver Mayer
at 1 pm
Directed by Don Boughton
When Luke and Phil inherit their father’s rundown hotel, evicting its sorry lot of crazy tenants and turning it into something profitable seems obvious – until they become entangled with three attractive sisters who are set on changing their plans. This fun, sexy romp explores desire, family secrets and the value of people and property.
The Sweetness of You
by Michael Premsrirat
at 4 pm
Directed by Nathan D. Singh
Endlessly stuck playing in dive bars, Joon and Lolly are a brother and sister trying to make it in the 80’s New Wave scene. Will Joon’s plans to settle down with his new girlfriend ruin their chances at fame and fortune? And will his obsessive sister allow it? Based on ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore, The Sweetness of You bites down hard on the 80’s music scene and the taboo of forbidden passion.
A reception/dicussion with artists will immediately follow each reading.
Angels Gate Cultural Center
3601 South Gaffey St., San Pedro
Suggested donation: $5
Reservations recommended 310-519-0936 x1