On a secluded Greek island, an American ex-pat pursues his passions: winemaking and his breathtaking young wife. Then, on the eve of his first tasting, an old lover reappears bringing with her a wild and violent past. Circle X Theatre Co. presents the Debut Production of Lascivious Something by Sheila Callaghan. Paul Willis directs Alana Dietze, Olivia Henry, Silas Weir Mitchell and Alina Phelan in a six-week run opening March 27 at [Inside] the Ford. Low-priced previews begin March 18.
Inspired by Greek tragedy, Lascivious Something combines evocative language with sympathetic yet deeply flawed characters straight out of Euripides. Playwright Sheila Callaghan sets the scene on a remote island in the Mediterranean where August, an American looking to escape his radical past, has started a small winery with Daphne, his new Greek bride. The ripening of their first harvest coincides with new political currents in the U.S. On the eve of Reagan's inauguration, the first tasting of the new wine is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of August's former lover.
"Sheila's writing is breathless and intelligent," says Circle X artistic director Tim Wright. "In many ways the play is an investigation of the time before Reagan took office, setting the stage for the events of the last 30 years. Her work fits with what we do here at Circle X: combining well-developed characters and innovative storytelling with larger political and social themes."
"Lascivious Something is Sheila's most timeless play to date with the creation of these extraordinary characters and lush, provocative story," agrees Willis. "The play confronts the most primal natures of human beings, yet somehow keeps its wits about it. And that makes the work of bringing it to the stage a uniquely satisfying and thrilling experience, especially with such a gifted cast."
The action takes place at a vineyard in Greece, so there is much drinking and discussion of wine. Check back at www.FordTheatres.com after March 27 for information regarding scheduled wine tastings and other wine-themed events.
Lascivious Something was first commissioned by South Coast Repertory in 2002. Since then, it has been workshopped at the Bay Area Playwright's Festival and was developed with Soho Rep and the Cherry Lane Theatre. It is scheduled to receive a New York production from the Women's Project and The Cherry Lane Theatre in May.
Circle X Theatre Co. is a not-for-profit ensemble dedicated to highly provocative and boldly theatrical productions of new and rarely-seen plays. The company's emphasis on innovation goes beyond the selection of thought-provoking, highly challenging plays and extends into everything from design, performance and direction to administration and marketing, creating the unique aesthetic for which Circle X is known. Circle X has been described as "ferocious," "idealistic," "adventurous," "whimsical," "courageous," "talented," "selfless, "a reminder of how good theater can be" and as aspiring to "a level of both sturdy professionalism and imaginative stagecraft that seems almost dangerously, headily high." Circle X's production of Battle Hymn by Jim Leonard, which was part of last year's three-play season at [Inside] the Ford, has been nominated for seven LA Weekly 'LAWEE' awards, including 2009 Production of the Year.
Lascivious Something is the final production of the 2009-10 Season at [Inside] the Ford, a three-play, curated series of new works from three L.A.-based theater companies. The 2009-10 Season at [Inside] the Ford is supported by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Ford Theatre Foundation, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
For reservations and information, call the Ford Theatres Box Office at 323-461-3673 (323.GO1.FORD) or go to www.FordTheatres.org.