Written by Charles Gordone
Directed by Richard Lawson
Previews Feb 5-7
Performances February 8 – 24
Los Angeles, CA – WACO Theater Center will bring the Pulitzer prize winning production NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY to the heart of North Hollywood Art District for the 50th anniversary. Written by Playwright Charles Gordone, the production first premiered at the New York’s Public Theater. With a cast of 14 actors and original scoring, this is the most ambitious production since WACO’s inception in 2016.
Director and WACO Co-Artistic Director Richard Lawson said, “We are excited to produce our first ever in house production featuring actors from RL Studios along with other professionals. Our students train rigorously and are well prepared to take on this production. We have assembled an incredible line-up of actors, and designers to bring such an authentic story of the black experience in New York City at time when those experiences are mirrored in 2019.”
NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY explores race relations, culture and the American dream at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Written over the course of seven years, Gordon shares the story of a black bar owner trying to outwit a white mobster syndicate who wants power by any means necessary. In the midst of chaos and the allusion of the forward movement for blacks, the production speaks to the pressing issues of our times, particularly America’s troubling racial divide. We view the world from the viewpoint of actor-playwright Gabe Gabriel (Terryl Daluz), who occasionally steps out of his role and plays observer, delivering heart wrenching moments which accentuate the play’s boiling frustrations and anger. “This story is absolutely reflective of what’s going on in our world today,” said Co-Artistic Director Tina Knowles Lawson. “Audiences are definitely in for a special treat,” Tina Knowles Lawson continues.
The cast of NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY includes Jeff Rolle Jr. (“Unsolved”), Terryl Daluz (Actor for Hire”), Taylor Leigh Edwards (Central Ave.), Kelly Tighe, Courtney Nichole, Robert Jekabson (BRIGHT), Earl Billings, Marianne Bourg, Jenna Skeva and Nicholas Teti.
The design team includes original sets by Carlos Flores, lights by Carolyn Gage, costumes by Maddison Carrol, sound and original music by Marcus Norris. This will mark the first Broadway run for WACO Theater Center.
TICKETS
Tickets for NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY can be purchased for previews Tuesday, February 5th-Thursday, February 7th at 6:00pm for $20. Tickets are available for opening night Friday, February 8th-Sunday, February 24th at 8:00p for $40. All tickets can be purchased by visitinghttps://www.eventbrite.com/o/waco-theater-center-15331422943.
