I’ve been somewhat MIA since the end of July because my days have been consumed by rehearsals for a play that’s finally opening tomorrow. The official description:
Ensemble Studio Theatre/Los Angeles presents the world premiere of Year of the Rabbit by Keliher Walsh, named the inaugural winner of the biennial Kentucky Women Writers Conference Prize for Women Playwrights by a panel of judges that included OBIE award-winning playwright Naomi Wallace.
This haunting and deeply moving play, directed by James Eckhouse (Beverly Hills 90210), intertwines the war in Vietnam and the present day conflict in Afghanistan to illuminate the devastating consequences of war across generations and ethnicities.
I play Lieu, a shaman-like Vietnamese woman who’s both the storyteller, a la Joel Grey in Cabaret without the singing, and…well, I control the universe. I’m getting quite drunk on power, actually.
The cast includes Meshach Taylor (Designing Women), Ashanti Brown, Will McFadden, Peter Mackenzie (Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apt. 23), and Keliher Walsh. All are fabulous people. The show is produced by Gates McFadden and Laura Hill. For more on its genesis and what it’s about, read this L.A. Stage Times interview with James and Keliher.
We run until Oct. 28 at EST/LA in Atwater Village. To buy tickets, go here. Would love to see you there, if you can make it!
Check out the teaser. That’s my eye in the opening.
Photos by Betsy Newman Photography
14 Comments
Elizabeth A. White
September 14, 2012 at 1:55 pmDamn, check you out! Congratulations!
sabrina ogden
September 14, 2012 at 2:06 pmLook at you! So cool, so cool! Congrats!
le0pard13
September 14, 2012 at 2:15 pmMe and you-know-who will be there for Opening Night!
Jen Forbus
September 14, 2012 at 8:06 pmGive her a hug for me when you go!! And throw some flowers for me, too…
Shell Sherree
September 15, 2012 at 5:31 pmDitto to Jen’s request, please…
jenn aka the picky girl
September 14, 2012 at 2:31 pmThis is so cool! Break a leg, chickadee. And have so so much fun.
Naomi Johnson
September 14, 2012 at 2:46 pmSo SO happy for you! Wish I could be there in person, instead I’ll be thinking of you, and wishing you and the entire cast all the best. Broken legs all around! Congratulations!
Sarah RH
September 14, 2012 at 2:59 pmYAY!! You look fantastic!! Can’t wait!! =) Wish I could be there opening night! I’m sure it’ll be great!
Jann
September 14, 2012 at 3:29 pmBreak a leg Elyse! Wish I could see it..I SO miss working in L.A.’s small theatres!
Brett Battles
September 14, 2012 at 4:08 pmCan’t wait! Will be there a week from tomorrow night (the 22nd)!
Laura Benedict
September 14, 2012 at 8:01 pmYou are so, so cool, Elyse. And impressively scary/gorgeous in the pics and video! Sending you lots of good vibes for tomorrow and the run. Totally envy you, Brett!
Jen Forbus
September 14, 2012 at 8:06 pmBreak a leg, my friend! I know you’ll be utterly fantastic. 🙂
Pop Culture Nerd
September 15, 2012 at 12:43 pmThank you so much, everyone. Last night we had our first preview audience. Half hour before the show, I checked in here and on FB, and your good wishes gave me an extra infusion of energy that I took with me into the performance. It was a kick. I’m grateful to you all, my wonderful friends.
EIREGO
September 16, 2012 at 10:25 pmPretty badass teaser!