Speaking of Stories

transforming short stories from the page to the stage

 

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JANUARY 26, 2004  - Press Release


Surprise. . . things are not always as they appear!
Speaking of Stories kicks off the season with an evening of stories full of twists, turns and surprise endings. 

              Celebrating the wealth of local talent, our January 26th performance at the Lobero Theatre showcases the works of Santa Barbara authors, Joyce Perrin and Bert States .  This show opens our 10th Season and is directed by new Artistic Director Maggie Mixsell.

           
We are pleased to include in the evening Girl of My Dreams, a charming story by recently deceased UCSB Dramatic Arts Professor Emeritus Bert States , a nationally recognized scholar and author in the fields of dramatic and literary theory.  Simon Williams, a dear friend and colleague of States at UCSB, will perform this sublime tale of young love.  On Tuesday, January 27, UCSB will host a seminar in honor of Bert States facilitated by Alice Rayner of Stanford University, for more information please visit the Speaking of Stories website at www.speakingofstories.org.

Joyce Perrin’s Nights explores the relationship between a couple who struggle to come to terms with one of life’s fateful blows. Fellow Santa Barbarian Brian Hansen returns to the Lobero stage, where he began his acting career many years ago, to perform this work.

Amy Bloom’s, poignantly story about a family dealing with the inexplicable derailment of their daughter Rose, who possesses the voice of an angel but has something much stronger possessing her. See how it unfolds in Silver Water read by Saral Burdette. Saral’s work has been seen locally on the stages of City College and UCSB.

In total contrast, Adam Borowitz’s Emily Dickinson, Jerk of Amherst, comically describes the relationship of some thirty years standing between a then aspiring poet with the literary icon, Emily Dickinson. However, on digging beneath the surface, Miss Dickinson proves not to be the idol she once seemed.  The talented Jerry Kroll recounts this tale in his second appearance with Speaking of Stories.

The Greatest Man in the World explores how even the world’s best hero, becomes ‘antihero’ by not conforming to society’s expectations. Speaking of Stories’ veteran, George Backman, recounts James Thurber’s amusing tale of the conflict between reality and public perception, and the bizarre extremes that the powerful will sometimes stoop to in protecting those perceptions.

Gretchen Evans a veteran of more than 30 productions with Ensemble Theatre, delivers O. Henry’s Witches’ Loaves. A delightful story that follows the misadventures of a lonely bakery owner as she attempts to win the affections of a customer.  Sometimes the best of intentions don’t lead to the best results.

To round out the evening we will have musical interludes by accomplished guitarist, Bruce Goldish. His album Coast released in 2001, was critically acclaimed and comparisons have been made to Leo Kottke. A regular at local festivals plus appearances on National radio, this Santa Barbara resident brings his unique style to Speaking of Stories’ stage.

Speaking of Stories plays at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26th at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido Street, in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and always 2 hours before all shows.  Tickets are $13-$27.50. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are welcome. Call the box office at (805) 963-0761 or log on to www.lobero.com. For additional information visit www.speakingofstories.org.

The Lobero Theatre is wheelchair accessible and has the Assistive Listening System in place for patrons who are hard of hearing. 

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