Mo'Olelo presents NIGHT SKY (Jun08)

June 2, 2008 - San Diego, CA – Critically-acclaimed Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company announces its upcoming production of Night Sky by Susan Yankowitz, the inaugural production of the La Jolla Playhouse Resident Theatre Company program. The show will begin previews on August 28 and run though September 21 at The Studio Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. Press opening will take place on Friday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Night Sky is the story of Anna, a brilliant astronomer. When a car accident renders her aphasic, her speech becomes a hodgepodge of disconnected words alternately poetic, funny, confusing and profound. She and her family must fight through the black holes of her mind and journey from her night sky into an unfamiliar world and a new language. This moving drama celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal need to find words to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings.

Mo`olelo's production will be presented in memory of Joe Hiel, the late husband of Mo`olelo board member Elaine Hiel, whose stroke in 1981 rendered him aphasic.

Directed by Siobhan Sullivan, Night Sky will feature Mo`olelo's Artistic Director, Seema Sueko, in the role of Anna. Rounding out the cast will be local talents Tom Andrew as Anna's opera singing boyfriend, Bibi Valderrama as Anna's daughter, Justin Snavely as Anna's colleague, and Nicole Gabriella Scipione and Brian Mackey playing multiple roles.

In partnership with The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF), Mo`olelo will offer several community outreach opportunities, including special performances and disability awareness workshops for high school and college audiences and complimentary nights of theater for brain injury survivors and their families. Mo`olelo and SDBIF are collaborating with Survivors Rehabilitation Fund, The deRose Foundation the Disability Awareness Network, Sharp On Survival / ThinkFirst Program, and the National Aphasia Association in these efforts.

What: Night Sky, a play by Susan Yankowitz
When: August 28 – September 21
Press Opening Friday, September 5, 7:30 p.m.

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Synopsis: Night Sky is the story of Anna, a brilliant astronomer. When a car accident renders her aphasic, her speech becomes a hodgepodge of disconnected words alternately poetic, funny, confusing and profound. She and her family must fight through the black holes of her mind and journey from her night sky into an unfamiliar world and a new language. A moving story about the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal need to find words to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings.

About Mo`olelo:
Mo`olelo means story in Hawaiian. Selected as the inaugural Resident Theatre Company at La Jolla Playhouse, Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company is a socially-conscious theater organization dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego's cultural environment by telling powerful stories that are as diverse as the islands of Hawaii, by paying Equity wages to local actors and developing environmentally-friendly theater practices. A recipient of the Patté, McDonald Playwriting and the Anti-Discrimination Awards, its mission is to create new works based on research within various communities, produce lesser-known works by master and contemporary playwrights, and educate youth. To learn more, visit www.moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395.

Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse is a nationally acclaimed independent not-for-profit organization, known for its tradition of creating the most exciting and adventurous theatre in Southern California. La Jolla Playhouse advances theatre as an art form and as a vital social, moral and political platform by providing unfettered creative opportunities for the leading artists of today and tomorrow. La Jolla Playhouse designed the Resident Theatre Program in 2008 to address the lack of available, affordable performance spaces for the many vibrant theatre companies in the San Diego area. Mo`olelo will be in residence: August 18th - Sept. 21st 2008 & May 12 - June 14th. The residency was designed to provide a temporary home to theatre companies without a permanent venue.

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	Mo`Olelo Performing Arts Company Announces Night Sky Inaugural production in residence at La Jolla Playhouse Press Night: Friday, September 5, 2008, 7:30 p.m. June 2, 2008 - San Diego, CA – Critically-acclaimed Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company announces its upcoming production of Night Sky by Susan Yankowitz, the inaugural production of the La Jolla Playhouse Resident Theatre Company program. The show will begin previews on August 28 and run though September 21 at The Studio Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. Press opening will take place on Friday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. Night Sky is the story of Anna, a brilliant astronomer. When a car accident renders her aphasic, her speech becomes a hodgepodge of disconnected words alternately poetic, funny, confusing and profound. She and her family must fight through the black holes of her mind and journey from her night sky into an unfamiliar world and a new language. This moving drama celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal need to find words to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings. Mo`olelo's production will be presented in memory of Joe Hiel, the late husband of Mo`olelo board member Elaine Hiel, whose stroke in 1981 rendered him aphasic. Directed by Siobhan Sullivan, Night Sky will feature Mo`olelo's Artistic Director, Seema Sueko, in the role of Anna. Rounding out the cast will be local talents Tom Andrew as Anna's opera singing boyfriend, Bibi Valderrama as Anna's daughter, Justin Snavely as Anna's colleague, and Nicole Gabriella Scipione and Brian Mackey playing multiple roles. In partnership with The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF), Mo`olelo will offer several community outreach opportunities, including special performances and disability awareness workshops for high school and college audiences and complimentary nights of theater for brain injury survivors and their families. Mo`olelo and SDBIF are collaborating with Survivors Rehabilitation Fund, The deRose Foundation the Disability Awareness Network, Sharp On Survival / ThinkFirst Program, and the National Aphasia Association in these efforts. What: Night Sky, a play by Susan Yankowitz When: August 28 – September 21 Press Opening Friday, September 5, 7:30 p.m. August 28, 29, 30, September 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m. August 31, September 7, 14, 21 at 2:30 p.m. High School Matinees September 10, 11, 17, 18 at 9:30 a.m. Where: Mo`olelo in Residence at La Jolla Playhouse The Studio Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA Who: Produced by Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company Executive Producer: Thomas Baker, PhD Director: Siobhan Sullivan Stage Manager: Tareena Devona Wimbish* Scenic Design: David F. Weiner Lighting Design: Jason Bieber Sound Design: Paul Peterson Costume Design: Jeannie Marie Galioto Cast: Seema Sueko* Anna Tom Andrew * Daniel Bibi Valderrama Jennifer Justin Snavely Bill Nicole Gabriella Scipione* Speech Therapist & Other Female Roles Brian Mackey Aphasic Patient & Other Male Roles * Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. Synopsis: Night Sky is the story of Anna, a brilliant astronomer. When a car accident renders her aphasic, her speech becomes a hodgepodge of disconnected words alternately poetic, funny, confusing and profound. She and her family must fight through the black holes of her mind and journey from her night sky into an unfamiliar world and a new language. A moving story about the resiliency of the human spirit and the universal need to find words to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings. General Admission: $18 - $35, special oups rates available Box Office: 619-342-7395 and www.moolelo.net ---- About Mo`olelo: Mo`olelo means story in Hawaiian. Selected as the inaugural Resident Theatre Company at La Jolla Playhouse, Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company is a socially-conscious theater organization dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego's cultural environment by telling powerful stories that are as diverse as the islands of Hawaii, by paying Equity wages to local actors and developing environmentally-friendly theater practices. A recipient of the Patté, McDonald Playwriting and the Anti-Discrimination Awards, its mission is to create new works based on research within various communities, produce lesser-known works by master and contemporary playwrights, and educate youth. To learn more, visit www.moolelo.net or call 619-342-7395. About La Jolla Playhouse: Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse is a nationally acclaimed independent not-for-profit organization, known for its tradition of creating the most exciting and adventurous theatre in Southern California. La Jolla Playhouse advances theatre as an art form and as a vital social, moral and political platform by providing unfettered creative opportunities for the leading artists of today and tomorrow. La Jolla Playhouse designed the Resident Theatre Program in 2008 to address the lack of available, affordable performance spaces for the many vibrant theatre companies in the San Diego area. Mo`olelo will be in residence: August 18th - Sept. 21st 2008 & May 12 - June 14th. The residency was designed to provide a temporary home to theatre companies without a permanent venue. Home \| News \| Calendar \| Directory \| Plays \| Library/Storefront \| Timeline Copyright 2008, Roger W. Tang Questions? Email

Mo`Olelo Performing Arts Company Announces Night Sky