LOS ANGELES–The Syzygy Theatre Group will be presenting William Saroyan’s rarely-produced comedy Love’s Old Sweet Song this month.
Performances begin at GTC Burbank on Thursday, October 16, with the official press opening on Friday, October 17.
Written in 1939 in the midst of the Great Depression, Love’s Old Sweet Song is a surprisingly timely play which touches on many of our current social, political, and economic issues.
Martin Bedoian directs a cast of 23 in this comedy about everyone’s need for love, faith, correction of our political missteps, and, of course, love ;and more love.
As a result of Syzygy’s ongoing collaboration with the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance, the theatre company is proud to be participating in the international centennial celebration honoring one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, William Saroyan.
“Part of Syzygy’s mission includes the production of classic works, and since 2008 marks the centennial of one of the great playwrights of the %u218golden age’ of American theatre, William Saroyan, I felt it was important for Syzygy to do one of his plays this year,” said Bedoian.
“As I researched his work, I discovered that he was incredibly prolific and that much of his work has not been seen in decades, so I particularly wanted to do a lost treasure–something that would surprise our audience. After reading countless plays (published, unpublished, and out-of-print), I found Love’s Old Sweet Song. It’s very funny and well-suited to Syzygy’s Ensemble,” he added.
The play hasn’t been produced in nearly 70 years and maintains the spirit of much of Saroyan’s work, including his boundless optimism for the power of the human’spirit.
“We’re honored to present this play as part of Syzygy’s Fifth Anniversary Season,” he said.
In Love’s Old Sweet Song, Ann, a lonely woman in her yard in Bakersfield, California in 1939, is greeted by a Greek telegraph messenger, Georgie, with a mysterious telegram sent collect from a man in Boston. Georgie tells Ann it is from a man named Barnaby Gaul. It seems Gaul passed by her house twenty-seven years ago and fell in love with her. He will return shortly and will be whistling “Love’s Old Sweet Song.” And then, they hear whistling and a stranger walks up–it is love at first sight.
The principal cast Love’s Old Sweet Song includes: Joshua Ansley, Chris Damiano, Lauren Dunagan, Heather Fox, Michael Heshel, Jack Kandel, McKerrin Kelly, Steve Marvel, Shawn MacAulay, Jennifer Pennington, John Schumacher, and Devin Sidell. An ensemble of 10 children rounds out the cast.
Joining director Martin Bedoian are set designer Jeff Rack, costume designer Sherry Linnell, lighting designer Dan Reed, assistant director and sound designer Mark McClain Wilson, fight choreographer Ryan Honey, stage manager Rachel Levy, assistant stage manager Karen Baughn, and producer Katherine Bedoian.
Love’s Old Sweet Song first opened on Broadway in 1940 at the Plymouth Theater and was directed by Eddie Dowling.
The Syzygy Theatre Group is a Company-in-Residence at GTC Burbank located at 1111-B West Olive Ave Burbank, CA. For more information on GTC Burbank visit www.gtc.org.
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, October 16 at 8 p.m. (Preview)
Friday, October 17 at 8 p.m. (Opening Night Gala)
Preview ‘s $10
Opening Night Gala ‘s $30
All other regular performances ‘s $20
Parking is free at the GTC Burbank parking lot. The entrance is on Clark Avenue (one block north of Olive). Additional street parking is available on Olive Avenue (near the jet plane).
NOTE: GTC Burbank is located in the center of George Izay Park just north of the Recreation
Center and just east of the softball fields. (The theatre cannot be seen from the streets surrounding it. You have to park and walk into the center of the park.) If you have any problems, need further information, or additional directions, please call (323) 254-9328.
To purchase tickets and the complete schedule call (800) 838-3006 (24-Hour Phone Ticket Sales) or visit www.syzygytheatre.org