YEAR OF THE RABBIT

What am I doing to Meshach??

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

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14 Comments

  • Reply
    Elizabeth A. White
    September 14, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Damn, check you out! Congratulations!

  • Reply
    sabrina ogden
    September 14, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Look at you! So cool, so cool! Congrats!

  • Reply
    le0pard13
    September 14, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    Me and you-know-who will be there for Opening Night!

    • Reply
      Jen Forbus
      September 14, 2012 at 8:06 pm

      Give her a hug for me when you go!! And throw some flowers for me, too…

    • Reply
      Shell Sherree
      September 15, 2012 at 5:31 pm

      Ditto to Jen’s request, please…

  • Reply
    jenn aka the picky girl
    September 14, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    This is so cool! Break a leg, chickadee. And have so so much fun.

  • Reply
    Naomi Johnson
    September 14, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    So 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!

  • Reply
    Sarah RH
    September 14, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    YAY!! You look fantastic!! Can’t wait!! =) Wish I could be there opening night! I’m sure it’ll be great!

  • Reply
    Jann
    September 14, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Break a leg Elyse! Wish I could see it..I SO miss working in L.A.’s small theatres!

  • Reply
    Brett Battles
    September 14, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    Can’t wait! Will be there a week from tomorrow night (the 22nd)!

  • Reply
    Laura Benedict
    September 14, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    You 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!

  • Reply
    Jen Forbus
    September 14, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    Break a leg, my friend! I know you’ll be utterly fantastic. 🙂

  • Reply
    Pop Culture Nerd
    September 15, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Thank 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.

  • Reply
    EIREGO
    September 16, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    Pretty badass teaser!

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