"The Man Who Lost His Sundays" By Marius Iliescu
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" By Steve Martin
October 27-29 & November 3-5 2011
Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students. To purchase tickets simply scroll down this page and register for the date you wish to attend. Students use Coupon Code: ETGSTUDENTMWLHSPATLA at checkout. Student IDs will be verified upon entry.
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Encore Michigan Review
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"The Man Who Lost His Sundays" & "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" 2011 Photo & Video Gallery
"The Man Who Lost His Sundays" & "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" 2011 Playbill
"The Man Who Lost His Sundays" & "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" 2011 Official Press Release
About the Performances
Epicenter Theatre Group proudly presents an evening of powerful theatre with The Man Who Lost His Sundays & Picasso at the Lapin Agile.
The Man Who Lost His Sundays - World Premiere Written and Directed by Marius Iliescu
One of the proud monarchies of Europe at the end of WWII, Romania found itself only two years later forcefully shovelled behind the iron curtain. Its national identity was distorted, history stolen, its peoples' spirit brutally crushed. Written as a manifesto against oppression seen as a trademark of general human behaviour, The Man Who Lost His Sundays is a story of survival where the only certainty was true love.
As the playwright, I know this for a fact, it happened to my own family. This is their story. This play is dedicated to them. - Marius Iliescu
(DISCLAIMER: This play contains violence and inappropriate language. If you are sensitive to those issues, you may not enjoy this production. It is not recommended for children under the age of 17.)
Picasso at the Lapin Agile - Written by Steve Martin and Directed by Bill Premin by special arrangement with Samuel French
This long running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Bystanders, including Picasso' agent, the bartender and his mistress, Picasso's date, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen and an idiot inventor introduce additional flourishes of humor. The final surprise patron to join the merriment at the Lapin Agile is a charismatic dark haired singer time warped in from a later era.
Epicenter Theatre Group would like to thank the following sponsors: J. Lauri Filmworks, EpoxyMaster, Oakland University, Michigan Movie Magazine, Foxcord Films Entertainment and Pegasus Taverna of Greektown.
(DISCLAIMER: This play contains inappropriate language, sexual innuendo and ethnic jokes. If you are sensitive to those issues, you may not enjoy this production. It is not recommended for children under the age of 17.)
"The Man Who Lost His Sundays"
Cast in Order of Appearance
Michael (Age of 50)...................Bill Premin
Victoria (Age of 50).................Judy Premin
The Informant...........Col. Neil J. Patterson
Soldier One - Kostya..............Paul Jagoda
Soldier Two - Rudi................Marius Iliescu
Nicholas (Age of 30).......Marco Zaccagnini
Victoria (Age of 30)...........Kelly M. Kubeck
The Interrogator............Tonino Zaccagnini
Soldier Three...................Lorinda Youness
Soldier Four.........................Dennis Verner
Nicholas (Age of 11).............Brandon Mach
Michael (Age of 30).............Steven O'Brien
The Agent..................Col. Neil J. Patterson
Directed by Marius Iliescu
Director's Notes: "The Man Who Lost His Sundays"
World Premiere Written and Directed by Marius Iliescu
There are circumstances in life when reality overcomes imagination; when true stories are richer than any tale. The Man Who Lost His Sundays is the result of such circumstances.
At the end of WWII, Romania was one of the independent nations of Europe, its status quo standing on 66 years of proud monarchy that shaped the lives of its people. In 1947, the last Romanian king, Michael I, was forced to abdicate by the communist forces loyal to Moscow, which pushed Romania behind the Iron Curtain for 42 years.
Even when imagined, oppression is a powerful source of inspiration for a director and playwright, but when its roots are engraved on true facts it becomes a dramatic weapon capable of fighting against history repeating itself.
The Man Who Lost His Sundays is a true story. I did not hear the facts presented here from newspapers, history books, or neighbors' gossip. They happened to my own family and I relived them with every word I put on paper and with every action I directed my actors through.
I am deeply grateful to my actors, designers, crew and anyone else implicated in bringing my family's memories back to life. I thank you all!
I also thank YOU, for witnessing this extraordinary tale of love and survival now, in a time when everyone can relate to how the loss of liberty and personal freedom can affect our present lives.
To me, theatre is not a solution for social and political issues. It is a toolbox that can raise questions and demand answers.
Director and Playwright
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile"
Cast in Order of Appearance
Freddy..................................Steven O'Brien
Gaston........................................Bill Premin
Germaine..............................Kara Joy Reed
Albert Einstein........................Marius Iliescu
Suzanne.................................Erin Edgerton
Sagot..........................Col. Neil J. Patterson
Pablo Picasso..................Marco Zaccagnini
Schmendiman................Tonino Zaccagnini
The Countess.....................Kelly M. Kubeck
A Female Admirer.............Lorinda Youness
A Visitor...................................Paul Jagoda
Directed by Bill Premin
Director's Notes: "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" - Written by
Steve Martin and Directed by Bill Premin by special arrangement with Samuel French.
What a joy to be able to play with Steve Martin's words. For many years, I have wanted to do this show and when the opportunity presented itself, I needless to say, jumped at the opportunity. To be able to direct as well as play one of the roles has been more fun than I expected. Steve Martin's characters are well drawn, fun to play with, fun for the ensemble to play with and be able to not think of this work as an out and out comedy.
We invite you, along with us, to sit back and feel the joy of discovery at the Lapin Agile.
Director
Artistic Director's Letter:
Once again, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Epicenter Theatre Group's inaugural season of shows. As shown in our first production, Glengarry Glen Ross, we are not opposed to presenting something that might be considered controversial. In order to arrive at the decision to present these two plays tonight, a great amount of time was spent in discussing the merits of these shows, as well as others. It was decided that we as a company, would take the opportunity to present the world premiere of The Man Who Lost His Sundays written by our own Marius Iliescu, which takes an honest and sometimes painful look at living conditions under any repressive regime. Then, as Tevye would say, "on the other hand", we have Steve Martin's fresh look at Einstein and Picasso. We certainly hope you agree with our decision and are able to sit back and feel the pain of The Man Who Lost His Sundays and the joy of discovery in Picasso at the Lapin Agile.
On behalf of all of us, I want to thank you for your continued support.
Artistic Director
