Friday, May 13, 2011

History Lit coming to Pasadena Museum of History Sunday

Unbound Productions founders Jonathan Josephson, Paul Millet, and Jeff G. Rack have announced a new project in the vein of the popular Wicked Lit theatre series – HISTORY LIT. Where as Wicked Lit focused on the creation and production of new works of theatre inspired by classic horror stories, HISTORY LIT will present stage adaptations of literature that reflects history in creative ways.“The Mission for History Lit is intentionally open-ended,” said Rack. “We want to be able to reinvent this project each year with a new theme that will excite us as writers and producers and also stay fresh for our audiences.”

For 2011, HISTORY LIT will be produced in conjunction with Pasadena Museum of History and feature a series of stage adaptations of the works of some of the greatest women writers of the 19th and 20th centuries. These adaptations will be presented as staged readings at the Museum as well as at Los Angeles-area schools throughout the summer and early fall.

Said Millet, “For our inaugural production, we had the great opportunity to choose our theme with a fantastic partner in mind.” Added Josephson, “In 2011, we will present these staged readings as a way of engaging new audiences and also to develop the work for a future full production.”

The three plays featured in the 2011 HISTORY LIT Reading Series include:

The Garden Party, by Jonathan Josephson
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Katherine Mansfield

Two Pictures in One, by Paul Millet
Adapted from the short story “The Two Altars: Or Two Pictures in One” by Harriet Beecher Stowe

The Yellow Wallpaper, by Jeff G. Rack
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The plays will be presented in different combinations by a rotating cast – please see the full schedule below for complete details. For more information, visit HistoryLit.org or find History Lit on Facebook.

THE PLAYS

The Garden PartyBy Jonathan Josephson
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Katherine Mansfield
It is an ideal night for a party at the Sheridan estate and young Laura has had the time of her life playing hostess to a throng of party guests. But when an unexpected accident befalls a stranger who lives down the road, Laura's congenial life may be changed forever.

Two Pictures in One
By Paul Millet
Adapted from the short story “The Two Altars: Or Two Pictures in One” by Harriet Beecher Stowe
A simultaneous chronicle of the lives and fates of two early Massachusetts families: the Wards, an 18th Century Anglo family living during the early days of the American Revolution and the Caffeys, a 19th Century African-American family living ten years prior to the Civil War. By juxtaposing these two points in time, Two Pictures in One examines ideas of freedom and personal consequences.

The Yellow Wallpaper
By Jeff G. Rack
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
An affluent woman is confined to her room for bedrest under doctor's orders. Her treatment leads her to start seeing things in the ornate yellow wallpaper which dominates her bedroom, and forces her to deal with her inner and outer demons. Charlotte Perkins Gilman was residing in Pasadena when she wrote this classic story which deals with depression and female oppression in the late 1800s.

PERFORMANCES:

Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day
Sunday, May 15, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (reading at 2:00 p.m.)
The Garden Party by Jonathan Josephson
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Katherine Mansfield
The 22nd Annual Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day offers fun for all ages as five museums on the celebrated Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles and Pasadena open their doors for a free day of music, storytelling, art, crafts, and entertainment. At Pasadena Museum of History (PMH), guests can view the exhibitions Mad for Hats and Pasadena Patron: The Life & Legacy of Eva Scott Fenyes. Details on MOTA Day can be found at www.museumsofthearroyo.com.
History Lit

Tuesday, May 24, 7:30 pm
The Garden Party, Two Pictures in One, and The Yellow Wallpaper
Happy Birthday Pasadena - Celebrating 125 Years

Saturday, June 11, 12:00 p.m-7:00 p.m (reading time TBD)
The Yellow Wallpaper by Jeff G. Rack
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Pasadena Museum of History will host the official birthday party for the City's milestone 125th Birthday with a day-long community celebration featuring nonstop entertainment, activities, and refreshments. Highlighting the festivities will be a spectacular (and spectacularly delicious) birthday cake created by chefs from the California School of Culinary Arts.

Summer Family Day
Sunday, July 24, 1:00 pm
The Garden Party, Two Pictures in One, and The Yellow WallpaperDetails on this event are TBD.

LOCATION AND TICKETS:
All readings will take place at Pasadena Museum of History:Pasadena Museum of History 470 W. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91103pasadenahistory.org (click “Events” on the left hand side for details)

All events and readings are free to attend

There are fees for select food items.

Visit www.pasadenahistory.org for parking information.

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