THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
THE VERDI GIRLS BY BERNARD FARRELL
Final Production of the 2007-2007 Season was Commissioned by The Laguna Playhouse
and is Directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Andrew Barnicle
MARCH 22, 2007 - LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA – The Laguna Playhouse is pleased to present – as the final play of the theatre’s 2006-2007 season – the World Premiere production of The Verdi Girls, by Irish playwright Bernard Farrell, May 29 through July 1, 2007. The play was commissioned through a gift to The Laguna Playhouse by Suzanne and James Mellor, and is directed by Andrew Barnicle.
In The Verdi Girls, opera aficionados from around the world reunite in Milan, Italy for their annual Verdi Weekend, marked by a command performance at La Scala Opera House, thought-provoking lectures and the highlight of the visit—the fiercely competitive Verdi Quiz. But some participants have more on their agenda as they turn the event into a comic drama rivaling those by their operatic idol. Loaded with his famous wit and vivid characters, this is Playhouse-favorite Bernard Farrell’s first play to premiere in America.
Because most of Farrell’s plays are set in Ireland, Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Richard Stein decided to stretch Farrell’s imagination and talents by suggesting an American slant for the new work. “We put no restrictions on him, but we said if you’d like to think about using American characters or locations, it might be a fun challenge for you,” recalls Stein. “Of course, we like his work anyway, so we said just write a great play and we’ll be happy.”
Farrell’s characters in The Verdi Girls have a variety of nationalities: two are American, one is Italian, one is Canadian, two are English, and one is, of course, Irish. “It’s like the United Nations,” says Farrell, who notes that while all of his plays are comedies, some have a serious intent. “Drama is a vehicle for comedy, so when I had an opportunity to write a play about Verdi, I based it in Europe and not America or Ireland. Everyone is in unknown territory, and when you get that kind of pressure, you get comedy.”
Bios
Barnard Farrell (Playwright) has had five of his plays produced at Laguna Playhouse since 2000: Kevin’s Bed, Stella by Starlight, Lovers at Versailles, Many Happy Returns, and now The Verdi Girls.
Born in Sandycove, Co in Dublin, Ireland, Bernard's plays include I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell (Dublin, The Abbey Theatre, 1979); Legs Eleven (Moving Theatre, 1979); Canaries (Abbey Theatre1980); All In Favour Say No! (Abbey Theatre, 1981); Petty Sessions (Abbey Theatre, 1983); Don Juan (adapted from Moliere, Abbey Theatre, 1984); Then Moses Met Marconi (Dubliln, TEAM Theatre, 1984); All The Way Back (Abbey Theatre, 1985); 1-2-3 O'Leary (Grips, Berlin, Dublin, Gate Theatre 1985); Because Just Because (TEAM, 1986); Say Cheese! (Abbey Theatre, 1987); Forty-Four Sycamore (Waterford and Dublin, Red Kettle, 1992); The Last Apache Reunion (Abbey Theatre, 1993); Happy Birthday, Dear Alice (Waterford and Dublin, 1994, 1995); Stella by Starlight (Dublin, Gate Theatre, 1996); and Lovers At Versailles (Abbey Theatre, 2002). His work has been translated into several languages and has been produced in the USA, Canada, UK, Belgium, Holland, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Germany, and Australia.
Bernard was the Anglo Irish Bankcorp-sponsored Writer in Association, Abbey Theatre for 1996/1997, and among his many awards is The Rooney Prize for Irish Literature.
He is a member of Aosdána, and lives in Wicklow.
Andrew Barnicle (Director) joined The Laguna Playhouse as Artistic Director in July 1991, forging with Executive Director Richard Stein a leadership team that has solidified and advanced the company’s position as one of the region’s most successful professional non-profit theatres.
He has directed more than thirty Laguna Playhouse productions, including Rob Ackerman’s Tabletop, Alan Ayckbourn’s Communicating Doors, Catherine Butterfield’s The Sleeper, Marc Camoletti’s Don’t Dress for Dinner, Richard Dresser’s Rounding Third and Wonderful World, Bernard Farrell’s Lovers at Versailles, Stella by Starlight, Kevin’s Bed and Many Happy Returns, A.R. Gurney’s Sylvia, Sherwood Kiraly’s Who’s Hot, Who’s Not, Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel The Woman in Black, David Mamet’s American Buffalo, Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile and The Underpants, W. Somerset Maugham’s The Constant Wife, Joe Orton’s What The Butler Saw, William Shakespeare’s Othello, Neil Simon’s Laughter On The 23rd Floor and Rumors, Daniel Sullivan’s Inspecting Carol and John Twomey’s Teacher’s Lounge. Andrew also memorably directed the world premiere of his adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s The Liar in a new translation by his wife Sara. Many of these Laguna Playhouse productions have been world, national or regional premieres.
Acting credits include numerous television and film roles, plus major roles on stage with San Diego Rep, Alaska Repertory Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Detroit ’s Meadow Brook and Hilberry Theatres. Andrew has been seen on stage at The Laguna Playhouse in the musicals Enter the Guardsman and Gunmetal Blues, as well as To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, True West, Strange Snow, and – earlier this season – The Ice-Breaker.
The production team for this production includes Dwight Richard Odle, scenic design; Julie Keen, costume design; Paulie Jenkins, lighting design; Dave Edwards, sound design; and Jim Ryan, production manager.
The Verdi Girls - Performance & Ticket Information:
Ticket Prices: $25 to $65
Previews:
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 29 & 30: 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 31: 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 1: 8:00 p.m.
Opening Night Gala:
Saturday, June 2: 7:30 p.m.
(By invitation only and press night)
Regular Performances
June 3 – July 1, 2007
Tuesday – Saturday evenings: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday matinees: 2:00 p.m.
FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787) - GROUP SALES CALL 949.460.8676
VISIT: www.lagunaplayhouse.com
MOULTON THEATRE: 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA
For more information, press comps, photos or to set up press interviews, please contact Christopher Trela at 949-497-2787 ext. 220 or ctrela@lagunaplayhouse.com. You may also contact Greg Patterson at 949-497-2787 ext. 216, or gpatterson@lagunaplayhouse.com.
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