Black & Bluestein
Jerry Mayer’s engaging dramedy, set in 1963 St. Louis. A Jewish liberal finds that breaking the color barrier could break his bank account and his marriage. You’ll laugh… You’ll cry…You’ll think.
Santa Monica, CA, February 15, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Producer Emily Mayer announced today that the critically acclaimed provocative comedy “Black & Bluestein” returns to The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse for nine weeks beginning Saturday, March 8th at 3:00 p.m.
Jerry Mayer’s engaging dramedy, set in 1963 St. Louis and based on a true event, explores the ripple effect in the neighborhood when a well-to-do black scientist Dan Black, wants to buy a home in an upscale, all-white mostly Jewish neighborhood from the Jewish builder, Jeff Bluestein. Bluestein always tried to be a good liberal but breaking the color barrier could break his bank account and even his marriage. Tension, conflict, prejudice, fear of plunging home values, and Jewish guilt add up to gripping drama and laugh-out- loud comedy.
“Recommended” LA Times “Invigorating, engaging, valid."
"A surprisingly nuanced and personal play. " - L.A. Weekly
“Fascinating” L.A. City Beat “Theatre Critic’s Choice”
Playwright Jerry Mayer’s writing experience spans a twenty-five year period of writing and/or producing hit TV comedies including “All in the Family,” “MASH,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Facts Of Life,” (Exec. Producer) and multiple Mitzi Gaynor Specials, including her live Las Vegas shows. Los Angeles theatre audiences will remember him from his long string of critically and audience acclaimed hit plays all of which debuted in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles: “Almost Perfect,” “Aspirin & Elephants,” “A Love Affair,” “Killjoy,” “Falling in Love Again” -the Dietrich/Chevalier story, “You Haven’t Changed A Bit And Other Lies” (with Steve Mayer), and “2 Across”. Mayer’s plays have been performed Off Broadway, throughout the USA, in Canada and throughout Germany. Mayer’s romantic “Dietrich & Chevalier – the Musical” can be seen Sundays in The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse March 9th through May 4th, 2008.
“Black & Bluestein” features original cast members John Eric Bentley, Larry Gelman, Kelly Lester, Loren Lester and Lenora May joined by Kimberly Arland and Broadway veteran George Coe.
Original Driector Deborah harmon re-teams with Mayer to stage the play. Harmon also directed Jerry Mayer's previous hit comedy "2 Across" at Santa Monica Playhouse.
The period 1963 tract house interior is by set designer Scott Heineman, who has designed sets for most of Mayer’s previous shows, a collaboration that goes back to the years that they worked together on “The Facts of Life.” Lighting and Sound Design is by The Attic Room, a full-service design team specializing in lighting and sound for the intimate stage.
“Black & Bluestein” plays Saturdays with two performances, a 3:00 p.m. matinee and an 8:00 p.m. evening show. It opens for previews March 8th, 2008 and continues through May 4th, 2008. Tickets are $25.00, with discounts available for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Use discount code: “flyer” for $6.00 off per ticket. To purchase tickets call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 or buy them online at BrownPaperTickets.com/event/26952. For information and group sales call 1-310-459-1548.
The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 4th Street (between Arizona & Wilshire) in Santa Monica. Convenient inexpensive parking is located directly across the street in Structure #1. By public transportation take the Santa Monica Blue Bus or the LA Metro Rapid #620 and exit at 4th and Wilshire.
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Jerry Mayer’s engaging dramedy, set in 1963 St. Louis and based on a true event, explores the ripple effect in the neighborhood when a well-to-do black scientist Dan Black, wants to buy a home in an upscale, all-white mostly Jewish neighborhood from the Jewish builder, Jeff Bluestein. Bluestein always tried to be a good liberal but breaking the color barrier could break his bank account and even his marriage. Tension, conflict, prejudice, fear of plunging home values, and Jewish guilt add up to gripping drama and laugh-out- loud comedy.
“Recommended” LA Times “Invigorating, engaging, valid."
"A surprisingly nuanced and personal play. " - L.A. Weekly
“Fascinating” L.A. City Beat “Theatre Critic’s Choice”
Playwright Jerry Mayer’s writing experience spans a twenty-five year period of writing and/or producing hit TV comedies including “All in the Family,” “MASH,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Facts Of Life,” (Exec. Producer) and multiple Mitzi Gaynor Specials, including her live Las Vegas shows. Los Angeles theatre audiences will remember him from his long string of critically and audience acclaimed hit plays all of which debuted in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles: “Almost Perfect,” “Aspirin & Elephants,” “A Love Affair,” “Killjoy,” “Falling in Love Again” -the Dietrich/Chevalier story, “You Haven’t Changed A Bit And Other Lies” (with Steve Mayer), and “2 Across”. Mayer’s plays have been performed Off Broadway, throughout the USA, in Canada and throughout Germany. Mayer’s romantic “Dietrich & Chevalier – the Musical” can be seen Sundays in The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse March 9th through May 4th, 2008.
“Black & Bluestein” features original cast members John Eric Bentley, Larry Gelman, Kelly Lester, Loren Lester and Lenora May joined by Kimberly Arland and Broadway veteran George Coe.
Original Driector Deborah harmon re-teams with Mayer to stage the play. Harmon also directed Jerry Mayer's previous hit comedy "2 Across" at Santa Monica Playhouse.
The period 1963 tract house interior is by set designer Scott Heineman, who has designed sets for most of Mayer’s previous shows, a collaboration that goes back to the years that they worked together on “The Facts of Life.” Lighting and Sound Design is by The Attic Room, a full-service design team specializing in lighting and sound for the intimate stage.
“Black & Bluestein” plays Saturdays with two performances, a 3:00 p.m. matinee and an 8:00 p.m. evening show. It opens for previews March 8th, 2008 and continues through May 4th, 2008. Tickets are $25.00, with discounts available for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Use discount code: “flyer” for $6.00 off per ticket. To purchase tickets call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 or buy them online at BrownPaperTickets.com/event/26952. For information and group sales call 1-310-459-1548.
The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 4th Street (between Arizona & Wilshire) in Santa Monica. Convenient inexpensive parking is located directly across the street in Structure #1. By public transportation take the Santa Monica Blue Bus or the LA Metro Rapid #620 and exit at 4th and Wilshire.
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Contact
Santa Monica Group Theatre/Santa Monica Playhouse
Sandra Zeitzew
310-394-9779 x651
SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com
Sandra Zeitzew
310-394-9779 x651
SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com
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