John Stark Productions presents Nightsong for the Boatman

John Stark Productions presents JOVANKA BACH'S Nightsong for the Boatman, a visiting guest production at the Odyssey Theatre opening Friday, November 18, 2009, for a limited engagement then moves to the off-Broadway Barrow Group Theatre in New York.

Harry Appleman,an aging, washed-up poet, plays dice with fate and loses. Through various cunning contrivances he tries to avoid his mortality. He discovers his humanity when he learns he can't sacrifice his daughter, but a tricky graduate student will do. Written by Jovanka Bach and directed by John Stark.. Produced and directed by John Stark, the cast Michael Byrne, John Difusco, Donna Luisa Guinan, Geoffrey Hillback, Amanda Landis, John Landis, Nicole Gabriella Scipone and Alex Wells

JOVANKA BACH [1936-2006], an award winning Los Angeles playwright, wrote over a dozen plays while working as a full time medical practitioner. Her first plays, A Matter of the Heart and Sylvie were Eugene O'Neil semi-finalists. Mercy Warren's Tea won Best Play in the American Radio Theatre Competition and was broadcast on Pacifica Radio Network. Her critically acclaimed Balkan Trilogy (Name Day, A Thousand Souls and Marko the Prince) was performed at the Odyssey Theatre. Name Day was a PEN Center West Drama Finalist and played at New York's Barrow Group Theatre. The New York Times called it a "cogent and moving play." Other plays include Willow Lake, Devil's Salt and O'Neil's Ghosts produced at the Odyssey in 2002. Last year, her play, Chekhov and Maria, was presented at the Odyssey Theatre, then had its New York Premiere at the Burrow Group Theatre. The movie "Chekhov and Maria" directed by Canadian film director Eric Till ("Luther") with the original Odyssey Theatre cast (Gillian Brasher and Ron Bottitta) recently played at the Cannes Film Festival and was picked up by several foreign distributors. To view trailer, visit: www.johnstarkprocutions.com

JOHN STARK (Producer, Director) is an actor, writer, producer and director. Originally from Canada, Mr. Stark directed over forty plays for the Canadian Art Theatre, a company that he founded. He directed the world premieres of both Name Day, A Thousand Souls and Marko The Prince in Jovanka Bach's BALKAN TRILOGY at the Odyssey. He also directed the World Premier of O'Neill's Ghosts at the Odyssey and his late wife's Chekhov and Maria. As an actor, Stark is best known for his performance of An Evening with Stephen Leacock, a one-man show about Canada's greatest humorist that has been embraced by audiences and critics internationally. It was named Critic's Choice at the Edinburgh Festival and was nominated for Canada's Juno Comedy Award. His performance at the Canadian National Theatre in Ottawa has been shown on CBC and PBS television; a video and audio-cassette of the show have been released and his book, "An Evening with Stephen Leacock," has been published in Canada. JOE MORRISSEY is the production stage manager, lighting and sound designer for Nightsong for The Boatman. JARET SCAREY is the set designer.

Nightsong for The Boatman opens Friday, November 19 at 8:00 P.M. Regular performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 P.M. and Sundays at 2:00 P.M. through Sunday, December 12. Tickets are $18.00 with senior, student and group rates available. The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles (one block north of Olympic). For reservations, please call (310) 477-2055.