Sankalpa Productions
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Lucy Pollak
lucy@lucypr.com (818) 887-1499 (for media only)
French Stewart, Rob Nagle head cast of
world premiere dark comedy ‘Forever Bound’
LOS ANGELES (April 3, 2018) — Are we all savages? Sankalpa Productions presents the world premiere of a darkly funny literary thriller with a surprise twist. Ann Hearn Tobolowsky directs Forever Bound by Steve Apostolina for a May 11 opening at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances continue through June 16.
In Forever Bound, French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun, The Middle, Secrets and Lies) takes on the role of a rare book dealer desperately trying to avoid bankruptcy. The ensemble also features Rob Nagle (The Hothouse at Antaeus; Stupid Kid at the Road; Church & State at the Skylight and in NYC), Emily Goss (Ah, Wilderness at A Noise Within; Clown Bar at Pasadena Playhouse) and the playwright himself.
According to Apostolina, the play is an homage to David Mamet’s American Buffalo as well as to George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. “I don’t want to give away too much about the plot,” he says. “Suffice to say that in an attempt to save his dying business, the book dealer and his friend concoct a risky scheme that goes shockingly awry. Circumstances will ultimately challenge their moral compasses.”
“I love the used book insider talk,” says Tobolowsky. “It’s so specific, and lends authenticity and texture to the story, even as the larger, underlying themes tap into our collective unconscious: the deep dark monsters of our childhood fears, the stuff our nightmares are made of.”
The creative team for Forever Bound includes scenic designer Pete Hickok, lighting designer Bosco Flanagan, sound designer Michael Lawshé, costume designer Joanie Coyote, dramaturg Kevin Delin and casting director Raul Clayton Staggs. The production stage manager is Amanda Sauter.
Forever Bound, was developed at The Road Theatre and Antaeus Playwrights Lab. Apostolina’s other full-length plays include Flight of the Penguin (Drama-Logue Award for Writing and LA Weekly Award nominee for Best New Play); The American Way (Valley Theatre League Award); a Panto version of The Snow Queen (co-writer), for which he also composed the music and lyrics; and the newly completedUnbound. Some short plays include Cold in Hand (winner at the LaBute New Theater Festival); The Lesson (semi-finalist for the Humana Festival at the Actors Theatre of Louisville); and, most recently, Elevator Repair, which was included in Open Fist’s political pop-up One Year Later. Short films adapted from his plays include Frank ‘n Beans, Brisket and Porcupine. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Antaeus Playwrights Lab. As an actor, local stage productions include Lisa Loomer’s HomeFree (Road Theatre), Cages (Matrix Theatre), American Way (Ventura Court), Estonia You Fall (Mark Taper Lab), Don’t Go Back To Rockville (Victory Theatre), Creeps(Theatre/Theater) and The Steven Weed Show (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). TV and film credits include Revenge, Southland, ER, The Heist, Amen, Blue Desert, Amazing Stories, Frank ‘n Beans and Madagascar.
Ann Hearn Tobolowsky’s directing credits include the Road Theatre’s world premiere of Jami Brandli’s Through the Eye of a Needle (March 2018), the Road’s 2015 “Off Road” production Anatomy of a Hug, multiple readings for the company’s “The Word” series, and their New Playwrights Festival productions of The Specials, The Gift and The Night We Bombed Lincoln Towing. In association with Theatre 40, she directed Holy Days, Driving Miss Daisy, Another Part of the Forest and The Color of Rose. For the Malibu Playhouse, she directed Casting Passero. As an actress, she has been seen in L.A. productions at South Coast Repertory, the LATC, Theatre 40, Missing Piece Theater, Taper Too, CAST Theater and Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, as well as regionally at the Harmony Theatre and Alaska Repertory. Film: Strange Nature (upcoming), Lorenzo’s Oil, The Accused and My Father the Hero. Television: The Dollmaker, ER, Designing Women, Evening Shade and Rizzoli & Isles. Ann is a member of the artistic board at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood and has been a member of Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills for 38 years. She is married to actor/writer/director Stephen Tobolowsky.
Forever Bound runs May 11 through June 16, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.; and Mondays at 8 p.m. Two preview performances are set for Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10, both at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 on Fridays and Saturdays (except opening night, Friday, May 11 which is $45 and includes a post-show reception with the cast), $30 on Sundays, and $25 on Mondays. Preview performances are $15. Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039. On-site parking is free. For reservations and information, call (310)307-3753 or go to www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘Forever Bound’
WHAT:
World premiere of Forever Bound — Are we all savages? A rare book dealer’s desperate scheme to avoid bankruptcy goes shockingly awry in this darkly funny literary thriller with a surprise twist.
WHO:
• Written by Steve Apostolina
• Directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky
• Starring French Stewart, Rob Nagle, Emily Goss, Steve Apostolina
• Presented by Sankalpa Productions
WHEN:
Previews: May 9 and May 10
Performances: May 11 – June 16
• Wednesday at 8 p.m.: May 9 ONLY (preview)
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: May 10 ONLY (preview)
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 11 (Opening Night), May 18, May 25; June 1, June 8, June 15
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: May 13, May 20, May 27; June 3, June 10
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: May 14, May 21, May 28; June 4, June 11
WHERE:
SANKALPA PRODUCTIONS
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
HOW:
• Call (323) 960-4429 or go to www.plays411.com/foreverbound
• facebook: www.facebook.com/ForeverBoundthePlay2018/
• instagram @foreverboundtheplay2018
TICKET PRICES:
• Fridays and Saturdays (except May 11): $35
• Sunday matinees: $30
• Mondays: $25
• Previews: $15
• Friday, May 11 (opening night): $45 (includes post-show reception with cast)
PARKING:
FREE in the Atwater Xing lot one block south of the theater
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