LODESTONE THEATRE ENSEMBLE ANNOUNCES ITS TENTH AND FINAL SEASON
Lodestone’s 2008-09 Tenth Anniversary Season of “Beginnings and Endings” Will Be Its Last
LOS ANGELES, CA – Lodestone Theatre Ensemble kicks off its Tenth Anniversary with a season devoted to the theme of “Beginnings and Endings.” The 2008-09 season will also be the final one for the Asian American theatre company.
“Lodestone was always intended to be a finite thing,” says Co-Artistic Director Chil Kong. “A couple of years ago, we decided that the tenth year was a good time to stop. We felt we hit our artistic stride and achieved the goals we set for ourselves. If you’re going to go out, why not go out at your peak?”
Lodestone was founded in 1999 by Alexandra Bokyun Chun, Philip W. Chung, Chil Kong and Tim Lounibos. The company’s first mainstage production of Judy Soo Hoo’s TEXAS premiered in Fall 1999. Since then, Lodestone has produced close to a hundred events from mainstage productions to readings, workshops and special fundraisers. Almost every play that has graced the mainstage has been a world premiere.
The Tenth Anniversary season will feature two world premieres developed and written specifically for the occasion, as well as a revival of a musical exploring relevant themes:
* The World Premiere of
TEN TO LIFE
by Nic Cha Kim (Trapezoid), Annette Lee (A Dirty Secret Between the Toes), Tim Lounibos (Lodestone co-founder) & Judy Soo Hoo (Texas, Solve For X)
Four original twisted one-acts byLodestone veterans to commemorate Lodestone Theatre Ensemble’s ten disturbing years.
* The Revival of
CLOSER THAN EVER
a musical revue with words by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire
Directed by Chil Kong (The Mikado Project)
Conceived by Steven Scott Smith, this dialogue-free two-act musical features songs that are stories unto themselves dealing with such diverse topics as security, aging, mid-life crisis, second marriages, working couples and unrequited love. In other words, perfect for an anniversary season devoted to beginnings and endings.
* The World Premiere of
GRACE KIM & THE SPIDERS FROM MARS
By Philip W. Chung (The Golden Hour)
Ten years ago, the super high-achieving Grace Kim had a nervous breakdown and still can’t face the outside world. But when her sister returns to visit for the holidays with her unorthodox fiancé, Grace's life undergoes a profound change. A new play about falling in love with your sister's future husband, beginnings/endings and what to do if you suspect you were born on the wrong planet.
For more information, visit www.lodestonetheatre.org or www.myspace.com/lodestonetheatre
