PRESS RELEASE
January 15, 2007
OSCAR WILDE SPEAKS OUT IN PARIS!
FosterShep Productions and The Production Company proudly announce the return of Victorian England’s most scandalous literati with noted author John Gay’s magnificent rendering of one of Oscar Wilde’s last speaking engagements, Diversions and Delights, set to open March 2nd at The Complex – Hollywood for a limited engagement.
Recipient of a Writers Guild Laurel Award, four Writers Guild Award Nominations, an Academy Award nomination, an Emmy Award nomination and many others, Diversions and Delights playwright John Gay’s credits include theatre productions of Christofe and Summer Voices, screenplays for Run Silent, Run Deep starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster, Sometimes a Great Notion starring Paul Newman and Henry Fonda, No Way to Treat a Lady starring Rod Steiger and Lee Remick, and adaptations of classics for television including Les Miserables and A Tale of Two Cities. Diversions began its life at ACT in San Francisco starring Vincent Price before touring the country on the way to its Broadway debut in the late 1970’s.
This important work will be directed by August Viverito who recently brought Los Angeles the World Premiere of a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby which garnered ‘Critic’s Pick’ in Backstage West and was named one of the ‘Top 10 Productions’ by Rave Magazine. “Diversions and Delights,” reports Vivirito, “has been waiting for the perfect actor to come along to resurrect the personae of Oscar Wilde I am truly thrilled that I waited for him.” Vivirito found Foster in Celebration Theatre’s acclaimed production of “Naked Will” in which Foster played muse to William Shakespeare in the guise of Oscar Wilde.
Outcast to Paris after his notorious trial and cruel incarceration for his sexual adventurousness, Wilde’s only recourse for income was to accept pubic speaking engagements. His appeal was undeniable, as most onlookers viewed him as a curiosity of decadence and debauchery, a Paris favorite. “There will be no secrets here this evening. You know perfectly well who I am. You have come to see Oscar Wilde in the wicked flesh and here you have him. If I appear to you to be less than The Prince of Darkness, have no misgivings, for I promise not to lead you astray into the paths of virtue”. John Gay’s script creates a roller-coaster that soars in turns from insightful humor to deep felt emotion. All of which remarkably speak to us now as though Oscar were commenting on present day events.
Oscar Wilde was author of such glorious social commentaries as Lady Windermere’s Fan, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Importance of Being Earnest, among many others, and has been called the “greatest self-consciously deliberate master of the Art of Conversation who has spoken the English language”.
Diversions and Delights will run Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. from March 2nd, 2007 through April 8th, 2007.
RSVP today for our Opening Gala and special press meet-and-greet with award-winning stage and screen author John Gay after the opening performance on Friday, March 2nd !
The Ruby Theatre at The Complex, 6472 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038. General Admission: $20. Cash only at the Box Office – ATM on premises. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED: 310-869-7546. Valet Available.
PRESS RELEASE
October 25, 2005
WORLD PREMIERE OF A JOYOUS NEW ADAPTATION OF CHARLES DICKENS NICHOLAS NICKLEBY!
The Production Company proudly announces the rebirth of Charles Dickens masterwork The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Penned by award-winning writer Gregory Blair and directed by noted director/producer August Viverito, this Nickleby bursts onto the stage in a sweeping, two-act adaptation of the powerful Dickens epic that will make its World Premiere at The Complex - Hollywood this November. "It seemed time," notes Blair, "to bring Nickleby back to the stage in a version that felt complete without being overwhelming; the characters are so rich and the story is so engaging." Blairs script follows the familiar storyline, but is enhanced by incorporating some rarely seen jewels from Dickens book as well as more than a few of Blairs own inspirations. The resulting play brings the book to dynamic new life on the stage. "All the beloved dramatic and heartwarming elements are there," Blair assures, "but so is much of the humor that Dickens intended. Many people dont remember how much great comedy the story contains. I think they will after this."
Nickleby director Viverito, who petitioned Blair to take on this project, canvassed the Los Angeles area for months to find the ultimate cast and design team. With evocative lighting design by Matt Richter, an ingenious set by David Clark Smith, and classic costuming by Kiva Jump all under way, Vivirito is confident that the production will fully realize his vision. "The trick for me as director," Viverito says, "is to make Nicholas Nickleby, a story brimming with so many great scenes and characters, flow briskly and effortlessly; I have to entice the audience to take the journey with Nicholas. But casting is, of course, the key to Nickleby and I am a lucky director in that regard." Headed by Ethan Kogan as Nicholas and Steven Connor as his misanthropic uncle, Ralph, Viviritos ultimate cast includes John Basiulis, Georgan George, Frank Kesby, Jeremy Lelliott, Jonathon P. Markanday, Dominick Marrone, Joy Nash, Skip Pipo, Scot Renfro, Jennifer Ruckman, Aubrey Joy Saverino, Margaret Schugt, Scotty Servis, and Michelle Simek.
Nicholas Nickleby will run Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. from November 26th, 2005 through January 15th, 2006. Official Opening Gala on Friday, December 2nd at 8 p.m. No performances on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, or New Years Day. The Flight Theatre at The Complex, 6472 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038. General Admission: $20. Students and Seniors with valid ID: $15. Cash only at the Box Office ATM on premises. Running time: approximately 2 ½ hours. RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED: 310-869-7546.
PRESS RELEASE
Sepember 28
THE PRODUCTION COMPANY IS LAUNCHED
WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
A NEW ADAPTATION OF CHARLES DICKENS' NICHOLAS NICKLEBY!
Producer/Director August Viverito and award-winning writer Gregory Blair announced today the launch of what promises to be an essential variation on the company-run theatre in Los Angeles: The Production Company. Viverito is quoted as saying that "the variation on the theme is that this company is dedicated single-mindedly to creating the highest caliber productions without encumbrances often found in the many membership companies in town." After serving on the Executive Board of The Knightsbridge Theatre and as Artistic Director for The Attic Theatre Ensemble, Viverito recognized that production quality was regularly forced to be less than optimal as these companies often drew their resources too thin by trying to offer classes, showcases, second-tier shows and the like "Our shows will be the showcases, and our actors, writers and designers are expected to hone their crafts both inside and outside the company . . . or they wont get the job. Our people will be kept busy producing full-scale productions. Hence, our name."
To launch this new company, Vivirito joined forces with local writer Gregory Blair. As a playwright, Mr. Blair has seen several of his plays produced, including A Day at the Beach with Me & My Wife, which debuted at First Stage, and The Last Banana, which enjoyed a run at the Adam Hill Theater, with Drama-Logue gleefully declaring it "zany fun." As a screenwriter, he has placed in multiple competitions, including the esteemed Academy Foundations Nicholl Fellowships. As a novelist, he has been honored with three Stonewall Society nominations for his outrageous comedy Spewing Pulp. For their first production, Blair has created a sweeping, under-three-hour adaptation of Charles Dickens masterwork, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, which will make its world premiere at The Complex on November 26, 2005. "It seemed time," notes Blair, "to bring Nickleby back to the stage in a version that felt complete without being overwhelming--although there is likely no bad time for Nicholas Nickleby: the characters are so rich and the story is so engaging." Blairs script follows the familiar story-line while incorporating some less familiar, rarely seen Dickensian jewels as well as a few new inspirations to bring the book dynamically to life on the stage. The script recently had its first official reading which was met with uproarious laughter, heartfelt tears and thunderous applause.
Now in the design stage and with casting just completed, Director Vivirito promises to bring this exciting new work to spectacular light this year, saying "I cant think of a better gift for the holidays."
Nicholas Nickleby will run Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. through January 15th, 2006 at The Flight Theatre The Complex Hollywood.
For more information on the company and the upcoming premiere of Nicholas Nickleby, please contact us by phone at 818-782-3151, on the web at www.theprodco.com, or in writing at The Production Company, 8435 Blewett Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406.