The Hayworth Theater and Storey Productions present the world premiere of High Ceilings, written by actress and first time playwright Jillian Crane, and directed by Topanga resident, television and theater veteran, Valerie Landsburg. Fellow Topangan and actor John Kassir, known for his role on HBO's "Tales from the Crypt," is featured. The play opened October 3 and will run through November 8.
In this hilarious, ensemble comedy, Lilly, a reluctant bride-to-be, contends with her narcoleptic father, Midwestern diva mother, anxiety-riddled brother and a burgeoning attraction to the wedding florist. High Ceilings questions the meaning of love, marriage and whether or not Lily will fit into her wedding dress and leaves no family secret unexposed on Lily's journey to discover her own true path.
Best known for her starring role in the 1980's television series, "Fame," director, Valerie Landsburg, has acted and directed in critically acclaimed projects for theater, film and television including "Sons of Lincoln," and "The Boys of Mariel," (nominated for GLADD's best Los Angeles Theater production) and Showtime's "Women."
John Kassir also starred in the HBO comedy series "1st & Ten". His other live action credits include sketch-acting on "The Amanda Show" and a portrayal of Shemp Howard in a biopic about The Three Stooges, produced by Mel Gibson, and Ralph in "Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical." He also beat Rosie O'Donnell and Sinbad on the original Star Search, winning the $100,000 prize.
High Ceilings was selected to be part of several prominent reading series including the Ensemble Studio Theatre–LA's First Look at the Mark Taper Auditorium in Los Angeles, and the New Plays Reading Series at the Ford Center in New York. Earlier this year, High Ceilings was included in The Hayworth's Bruno Kirby Celebrity Reading series starring Wendie Malick, Dan Lauria, Hamish Linklater, Patrick Breen, Kevin Kilner and Karen Black.
Crane has also adapted two screenplays from novels (About Yvonne, Down, Boy! A Girl's Guide to Housebreaking a Man), and has written a pilot ("Scrapyard Barbie") for Paramount Television. As an actress she has appeared on stage, in television and films including roles in Alexander Payne's, "Election," Campbell Scott's, "Hamlet," "The Practice," "Law and Order Criminal Intent," and "Homicide."
The historic Hayworth Theater is located at 2511 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90057. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.thehayworth.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday matinee. Parking is available adjacent to the theater.
