LODESTONE THEATRE ENSEMBLE PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF TEN TO LIFE

Lodestone kicks off its final season with four one-acts from its veteran writers

LOS ANGELES, CA ñ Lodestone Theatre Ensemble launches its tenth and final season with the world premiere of TEN TO LIFE, running May 2 to June 7, 2009 at the GTC Burbank (1111-B West Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91506) located inside George Izay Park. TEN TO LIFE will consist of four one-acts developed specifically for the tenth season by four writers who have been an integral part of Lodestoneís history: Nic Cha Kim, Annette Lee, Tim Lounibos and Judy Soo Hoo. The show will be directed by another Lodestone veteran, Alberto Isaac, who previously helmed Lodestoneís productions of Claim To Fame and The Trojan Women.

"We wanted to do something special for our final year," says Chil Kong, Lodestoneís Co-Artistic Director. "So we gathered together some of the writers who had been an integral part of our company and asked them to create a show that would celebrate a decade of Lodestone."

The four plays that resulted --RE:verse by Nic Cha Kim, Hacienda Heights by Annette Lee, Be Happy by Tim Lounibos and Red Dress by Judy Soo Hoo--were born from an idea to explore the milestones that come along each decade and touch on everything from a ten-year high school reunion to the census but in a distinctly Lodestone fashionÖdelving into the dark and twisted things lurking beneath the surface of normalcy.

"I've been with Lodestone from the start but this is my debut as a writer and it made perfect sense that for my virgin effort, Iíd help create a perversely compelling show to kick off our final year," explains Tim Lounibos who is also a co-founder of the company. "I've spent the past one and a half years in a dark claustrophobic room with my fellow Lodestone colleagues, creating something which is part Twilight Zone, part Outer Limits, part Hitchcock and, hopefully, 100% entertainingóexactly what Lodestone should be."

In addition to Lounibos, the other three writers also have a history with Lodestone. Nic Cha Kim is the companyís resident producer and his play Trapezoid had its world premiere last year on Lodestoneís mainstage, Annette Leeís A Dirty Secret Between The Toes was Lodestoneís first all-out comedy and Judy Soo Hoo's TEXAS was Lodestoneís inaugural production back in 1999 and she has gone on to become the groupís most produced writer.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm., May 2 ñ June 7, with low-priced previews on April 30 and May 1. Tickets are $16 for general admission, $14 for students/seniors. Group rates of $12 each are available for reservations of ten or more. Tickets for the May 2nd Opening Night Gala with a post-show reception are $25. All Sunday matinees (except June 7) will be pay-what-you-can admission with a $1 minimum.