Carlsbad, CA. New Village Arts Theatre is pleased to announce our summer fling with Shakespeare with The CompletE Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) in rep with Sailor’s Song on our resident stage in Carlsbad Village. Sailor’s Song will open as scheduled on Saturday, August 2^nd at 8pm while The Complete Works... will open on Sunday, August 10^th at 7pm and run for only eleven performances on the main stage with an additional two performances to be performed as a fundraiser at another location. Performances of The Complete Works… will be free to subscribers and will be Pay-What-You-Can for everyone else. Ticket prices and location for the fundraiser performances will be announced at another time. Reservations can be made by calling NVA’s box office at 760/433.3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

The Complete Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) will replace the scheduled outdoor production of The Tempest.

“We love the idea of performing free Shakespeare in the park but for the last two seasons, that simply hasn’t been in the cards,” remarked Interim Managing Director Elaine Gingery. “With the economy as it is, raising money for a large, outdoor production has been challenging as people divert their charitable giving to disaster relief. Choice locations have been demanding a higher price for performance space as well. Since we were unable to come up with a reasonable location to give away great theatre, we decided to just have some fun, move Shakespeare back to our resident stage and produce an exciting event that everyone can enjoy.”

The Complete Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) will star Artistic Associate Joshua Everett Johnson, Tim Parker who recently appeared with NVA in PRELUDE TO A KISS and Ensemble Member Adam Brick. The production will be directed by Rob Salas, a recent Harvard grad who was previously scheduled to direct The Tempest for NVA.

Artistic Associate Joshua Everett Johnson, who brought the idea of The Complete Works… to the table, remarked that,” The Complete Works… is such a fun script, like a summer fling with Shakespeare! Not to mention the fact that the audience gets involved every night; it’s going to be impossible not to have a good time!”

Performances of The Complete Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) will take place at NVA’s beautiful new theatre space in Carlsbad Village August 10^th – 31^st, 2008, Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7pm through the 24^th as well as, August 28^th at 8pm, Friday the 29^th at 8pm, Saturday the 30^th at 8pm and Sunday the 31^st at 2pm. General admission tickets are all Pay-What-You-Can. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 760/433.3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org where $5 & $10 donation prices are offered. Audience members who’d like to pay a different amount may simply make a reservation over the phone and pay with cash at the door. No credit cards will be accepted at the door but can be used online.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

The Complete Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) was written by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, and first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1987. Within the span of the evening every single Shakespeare play is covered as well as a nod given to the sonnets. It is notable for holding the (self-proclaimed) world record for the shortest-ever performance of HAMLET, clocking in at 43 seconds. We’re thinking we can beat the record.

CALENDAR (SS = Sailor’s Song; CW = Complete Works…)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2008

Carlsbad, CA. The award-winning New Village Arts Theatre takes on an American classic with the 1930’s love story GOLDEN BOY by Clifford Odets playing at NVA’s theatrical home at 2787 State Street in Carlsbad Village. Opening June 21^st, 2008 GOLDEN BOY will run through July 13^th with two Pay-What-You-Can Previews on June 19^th and 20^th. Artistic Associate Joshua Everett Johnson will direct the production. Mr. Johnson has been the recipient of a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Acting every year for the past three years, and has been with New Village Arts since 2002. Reservations can be made by calling NVA’s box office at 760/433.3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

The cast of GOLDEN BOY will be lead by newcomer to NVA Michael Zlotnik, playing violinist turned boxer Joe Bonaparte. Anchoring the cast will be Ensemble Members Amanda Sitton* as Lorna Moon, Manny Fernandes* as Tom Moody, Joshua Everett Johnson* as Eddie Fuseli and Actor’s Equity Member Eric Poppick as Mr. Bonaparte. Other talented actors lending themselves to this play are Amanda Dane (Anna), John DeCarlo (Frank Bonaparte/Mickey), Ryan Lahetta (Pepper White), Ryan Lee (Drake), Jeff Anthony Miller (Tokio), Pat Moran (Mr. Carp/Driscoll), Greg Wittman (Siggie) and Eddie Yaroch (Roxy Gottleib). Rounding out the Ensemble are Carlos Darze and Sassan Saffari.

Performances of GOLDEN BOY will take place at NVA’s beautiful new theatre space in Carlsbad Village June 21^st - July 13^th, 2008, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. General admission tickets are $26, with a discounted $22 ticket price for Seniors (65+), Students (Full time with ID) and Active Military. Groups of six or more are $20. San Diego residents are encouraged to take advantage of Coaster train service to and from the Saturday 3 PM matinees. There are also two Pay-What-You-Can Previews on Thursday, June 19^th at 8 PM and Friday, June 20^th at 8 PM. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 760/433.3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

ABOUT THE PLAY:
American playwright Clifford Odets crafted this 1930’s love story about a classically trained violinist with a unique attribute: the skill and strength to become the lightweight champion of the world. In a New York City dominated by Odets’ quirky characters and street poetry, he must choose between the fists and the fiddle, the glamorous and the gutsy, what he needs and the woman he wants.

GOLDEN BOY was first produced in November of 1937 by The Group Theatre, a company Clifford Odets helped found along with Lee Strasberg, Harold Clurman and Cheryl Crawford. It has been said that Odets own struggle between art and materialism was the basis for GOLDEN BOY as Odets struggled to support his theatre habit with Hollywood success. His previous work included a great deal of social criticism where GOLDEN BOY was acclaimed for its intricate personal relationships and psychological conflict. Translating these complicated themes to the stage is a Cracker Jack creative team brought together by director Joshua Everett Johnson*: NVA’s Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner* will co-design the set along with scenic artist Tim Wallace. Nate Parde, recently named Lighting Director at the Old Globe, will add to the mood with his Lighting Design; Costumes will be designed by Mary Larson and Props by Bonnie Durben.

*Member of NVA’s Ensemble

New Village Arts hires new Managing Director & Kristianne Kurner becomes Executive Artistic Director

Carlsbad, CA. New Village Arts, Carlsbad’s award-winning theatre company, has announced the following changes in leadership: Kristianne Kurner has become the new Executive Artistic Director, Elaine Gingery has joined the company as the new Managing Director and Artistic Director Francis Gercke has stepped down.

New Village Arts founding artistic director, Francis Gercke has stepped down effective February 1, 2008. Gercke founded the company in 2001 with Kristianne Kurner and has shepherded it from an upstart group with a $5,000 budget to a regionally known theatre with a budget of nearly $400,000. The company’s current stability with the formation of a new space in the heart of the Carlsbad village in June 2007 makes this the right moment for Gercke to move on and pursue other interests and projects.

New Village Arts founding Managing Director, Kristianne Kurner, has been named Executive Artistic Director. Kurner has directed, acted and/or designed over twenty productions for New Village Arts, including the critically acclaimed Orphans, The Waverly Gallery and the regional premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s Sailor’s Song, for which she was recognized for her “Outstanding Direction” by both the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle and the Patte Awards for Theatre Excellence. Kurner, who is excited about the direction of the company and thrilled to take over the leadership at New Village Arts stated that she is, “honored to take over the leadership of New Village Arts Theatre at this time. NVA will continue to provide the type of exciting, ensemble driven theatre that it has become known for - theatre that excites the audience and encourages everyone to live more fully. I am especially looking forward to working with Elaine Gingery, our new Managing Director, to continue to grow NVA into a nationally known regional theatre.”

Joining New Village Arts in the role of Managing Director is Elaine Gingery. Gingery is the former Managing Director of Sledgehammer Theatre where she brought in over $40,000 in new grants during her last year with the company. She has worked as the Ticket Operations Manager at the Old Globe Theatre, ran Patron Services at Mainly Mozart and studied Guerilla Marketing with the National Arts Marketing Program in Chicago. Gingery’s background in Marketing and Management makers her a perfect candidate for NVA during this time of growth and artistic expansion. “New Village Arts is on the edge of a very exciting time with a full eight play season that includes a holiday show and Shakespeare in the Park. The new space is versatile, in the heart of the community and able to accommodate so many of the new ideas we are looking to implement. It’s a dream job for me to work in such a vibrant theatrical community and with such outstanding artists.”

New Village Arts is currently in the midst of its seventh season of plays. Coming next is Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa directed by Esther Emery, followed by Craig Lucas’ Prelude to a Kiss directed by Delicia Turner-Sonnenberg. In June, NVA will produce Clifford Odets’ American classic Golden Boy, followed by a reprise of the highly awarded Sailor’s Song. The season will conclude with the Seventh Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park, The Tempest. More information can be found on the website at www.NewVillageArts.org

Highly regarded San Diego-based Esther Emery directs

Carlsbad, CA. The award-winning New Village Arts Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of DANCING AT LUGHNASA, running March 8 - 30, 2008 at NVA’s new theatrical home at 2787 State Street in Carlsbad Village. Esther Emery, recipient of the first Jack O’Brien Excellence in Direction Award from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, will direct the production. Reservations can be made by calling NVA’s box office at (760)433-3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

The cast of DANCING AT LUGHNASA includes NVA’s Executive Director Kristianne Kurner as Kate, NVA Ensemble members Joshua Everett Johnson (Michael), Amanda Sitton (Christina), Amanda Morrow (Agnes) and Manny Fernandes (Gerry), and San Diego favorites Charlie Riendeau (Father Jack), Grace Delaney (Maggie) and PJ Anbey (Rose).

Performances of DANCING AT LUGHNASA will take place at NVA’s beautiful new theatre space in Carlsbad Village March 8 - 30, 2008, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. General admission tickets are $26, senior/student/military are $22 and groups of six or more are $20. San Diego residents are encouraged to take advantage of Coaster train service to and from the Saturday 3 PM matinées. There are also two $15 previews on Thursday, March 6th at 8 PM and Friday, March 7th at 8 PM. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling (760) 433-3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

Irish playwright Brian Friel’s Tony and Olivier Award-winning DANCING AT LUGHNASA has captured the hearts of audiences since its debut. A fascinating reflection on the joys and pains of family, DANCING follows five sisters from a poor, rural county in Ireland as they awaken long buried desires dancing to the music of a Marconi radio.

DANCING AT LUGHNASA is New Village Arts’ second Brian Friel production. In February 2007, NVA produced Friel’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s THREE SISTERS, which was awarded a Patte Award for Outstanding Ensemble.

New Village Arts has put together some of the most highly regarded artists in San Diego to bring DANCING AT LUGHNASA to life. The production is led by Esther Emery, considered one of the finest directors in San Diego, with a resume and an award list to back it up. NVA Ensemble member Joshua Everett Johnson is performing the role of the narrator Michael. Mr. Johnson has received an Outstanding Actor award from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle for the past three years, most recently for his performance in the La Jolla Playhouse production of THE ADDING MACHINE. Cast members Kristianne Kurner, Amanda Sitton, Amanda Morrow and Manny Fernandes have all been awarded for their excellent ensemble work in the past year. And incredibly talented set designer (and Emery’s husband) Nick Fouch is designing the rural Irish home where DANCING AT LUGHNASA takes place.

Opening Night is Saturday, March 8 at 8 PM and includes a post-show reception that will turn NVA’s lobby into an Irish Pub! Featuring the music of Bill Bradbury’s Irish band and Jack Missett’s famous corned beef, this will be an event that you won’t want to miss!

FACT SHEET:

WHAT: Brian Friel’s DANCING AT LUGHNASA
WHEN: March 8 - 30, 2008; Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 PM & 8 PM; Sundays at 2 PM
WHERE: New Village Arts Theatre; 2787 B State Street, Carlsbad Village
TICKETS: General Admission: $26; Senior/Student/Military: $22; Groups of 6 or more: $20

For Reservations and More information: (760) 433-3245 www.NewVillageArts.org

Directed by Esther Emery
Costume Design: Mary Larson
Scenic Design: Nick Fouch
Light Design: Ashley Jinks
Sound Design: Joshua Everett Johnson
Properties: PJ Anbey & Pat Hansen
Stage Manager: Alex Scollon

CAST

Michael: Joshua Everett Johnson*
Kate: Kristianne Kurner*
Maggie: Grace Delaney
Agnes: Amanda Morrow*
Rose: PJ Anbey
Christina: Amanda Sitton*
Father Jack: Charlie Riendeau
Gerry Evans: Manny Fernandes*

*Member of NVA’s Ensemble

Carlsbad, CA New Village Arts has finished 2007 with a number of awards, including two best direction nods for Executive Director Kristianne Kurner. The Patté Awards for Theater Excellence and the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle’s Craig Noel Awards were held in the last two weeks, and New Village Arts emerged as a major awardee.

Champagne flowed and gowns glistened at the 11^th Annual Patté Awards™ for Theater Excellence, where the stage was set for an enchanted evening as 500 theater-goers, patrons, donors and theater artists gathered on January 14 to celebrate “San Diegans making theater for San Diego” Guests of the gala mingled in sophisticated style in the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC in La Jolla, to pay tribute to San Diego theatermakers who made outstanding contributions in 2007. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning theater critic Pat Launer, this year’s Patté Awards began the second decade of Launer offering well-deserved recognition to local theater artists. She created the event in 1997 to give something back to the theater community, and she has remained committed to that early inspiration.

At the Patté Awards, New Village Arts was recognized for “Outstanding Ensemble” for its repertory productions of Crimes of the Heart and Three Sisters, “Outstanding Direction” for Executive Director Kristianne Kurner, and “Outstanding Set Design” for Nick Fouch, both for Sailor’s Song.

Founded in 1983, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is a non-profit collective of print and online theater critics covering live, professional theater in San Diego County. In 2002, the awards program was renamed in honor of Craig Noel, founding artistic director of San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, acclaimed regional theater innovator and 2007 recipient of the National Medal of Arts. On Jan. 21, 2008, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented the sixth annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence, spotlighting the best stage work of 2007. New Village Arts Theatre was honored for its dance-filled play Sailor’s Song, written by John Patrick Shanley. Sailor’s Song, won for direction (Kristianne Kurner), ensemble, choreography (Robin Christ and Kathy Meyer), costumes (Jessica John) and set design (Nick Fouch).

NVA’s Sailor’s Song, will receive another run at the company’s Carlsbad Village space this August. Returning with most of the original actors and designers, this will be another chance to experience this highly awarded production. Sailor’s Song, will run August 2 – 24, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM & 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets are $22 - $26 and can be purchased by calling NVA’s box office at 760-433-3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.
www.NewVillageArts.org.

For a full list of awards click here!

INFORMATION FOR RE-MOUNT OF SAILOR’S SONG:

SAILOR’S SONG
Written By: John Patrick Shanley
Directed By: Kristianne Kurner
Featuring: Robin Christ, Manny Fernandes, Amanda Morrow & Amanda Sitton

August 2-24, 2008
at New Village Arts Theatre
2787 B State Street, Carlsbad Village

Performances: Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 PM & 8 PM; Sundays at 2 PM
Tickets: $26 General Admission; $22 Senior/Student/Military; $20 Groups of 6 or more

Above Photo: Amanda Morrow, Manny Fernandes and Amanda Sitton in New Village Arts’ award-winning Sailor’s Song.

Photo Credit: Adam Brick

PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM BRICK
Pictured: Terry Scheidt (Luke), Sandra Ellis-Troy (Virginia), Charlie Riendeau (Dick), Francis Gercke (Joel), Jack Missett (Jim) and Amanda Morrow (Donna) in New Village Arts’ production of Amy Chini and Tom Zohar’s OFF THE GROUND.

Carlsbad, CA. The award-winning New Village Arts Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of its first World Premiere production: Amy Chini and Tom Zohar’s OFF THE GROUND, running December 1 - December 23, 2007 at NVA’s new theatrical home at 2787 State Street in Carlsbad Village. Joshua Everett Johnson, Ensemble member of New Village Arts, will direct the production. Reservations can be made by calling NVA’s box office at (760) 433-3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

The cast of OFF THE GROUND includes NVA’s Artistic Director Francis Gercke as Joel, NVA Ensemble members Sandra Ellis-Troy (Virginia), Jack Missett (Jim), Amanda Morrow (Donna) and Wendy Waddell (Susan), and San Diego favorites Charlie Riendeau (Dick) and Terry Scheidt (Luke).

Performances of OFF THE GROUND will take place at NVA’s beautiful new theatre space in Carlsbad Village December 1 - 23, 2007, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. General admission tickets are $26, senior/student/military are $22 and groups of six or more are $20. San Diego residents are encouraged to take advantage of Coaster train service to and from the Saturday 3 PM matinees. There are also two $15 previews on Thursday, November 29th at 8 PM and Friday, November 30th at 8 PM. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling (760) 433-3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together….as if life weren’t hard enough already! Through the tinsel and glowing lights of Christmas, a family emerges in this compelling new play by local playwrights Amy Chini and Tom Zohar. Full of love and fights and plenty of laughter, Off The Ground reminds us of our need to connect, and how the holidays, when the best and worse in each of us come screaming to the surface, provide the opportunity to do just that.

Off the Ground is New Village Arts’ first commissioned play.

Joshua Everett Johnson is directing OFF THE GROUND. Mr. Johnson last appeared onstage in San Diego as an actor in the La Jolla Playhouse production of THE ADDING MACHINE. He previously directed the award-winning NOCTURNE for NVA and will next appear onstage at NVA as Dennis in THIS IS OUR YOUTH, before heading to New York to pursue his career.

FACT SHEET:

WHAT: New Village Arts’ World Premiere Holiday Play Amy Chini and Tom Zohar’s OFF THE GROUND
WHEN: December 1-23, 2007; Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 PM & 8 PM; Sundays at 2 PM
WHERE: New Village Arts Theatre
2787 B State Street, Carlsbad Village
TICKETS: General Admission: $26; Senior/Student/Military: $22; Groups of 6 or more: $20

For Reservations and More information: (760) 433-324 www.NewVillageArts.org

Directed by Joshua Everett Johnson
Costume & Scenic Design: Kristianne Kurner
Light Design: Ashley Jinks
Sound Design: Adam Brick
Properties: PJ Anbey & Avalon Hernandez

CAST

Dick: Charlie Riendeau
Joel: Francis Gercke^
Susan: Wendy Waddell^
Luke: Terry Scheidt
Virginia: Sandra Ellis-Troy^
Jim: Jack Missett^
Donna: Amanda Morrow^

^Member of NVA’s Ensemble