'Seed' play fights hunger, in LA Oct. 25-Nov. 18

Cornerstone Theater Company presents the world premiere of the second play in its Hunger Cycle, SEED: A Weird Act of Faith, written by Sigrid Gilmer and directed by Shishir Kurup. The play was created in partnership with community organizations that are tackling the hunger crisis in Los Angeles. SEED runs from October 25 to November 18 with performances Thursdays through Sundays. SEED is being presented at Chuco's Justice Center, 1137 E. Redondo Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90302.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Gap (2012), there is a hunger crisis in Los Angeles. Of the nearly 10 million Los Angeles County residents, 1.7 million people, including over 600,000 children, are at risk of hunger. Many of those considered at-risk don’t qualify for federal nutrition benefits, and do not meet the income requirements for food stamps. SEED is inspired by the remarkable individuals working to eradicate hunger in South Los Angeles, where there are more liquor stores than grocery stores, there is a glut of fast food, and the community’s first successful community garden was forcibly removed in 2006.

SEED is a fantastical tale that travels between an urban farm, a rural haven, and the contested space of agribusiness. Injected with playwright Sigrid Gilmer’s subversive humor and biting irreverence, the play follows a group of urban farmers struggling to grow greens amid concrete, and to provide their community and families with sustainable and healthful food choices. The fledgling farm is faced with a unique challenge - the agriculture gods are planning the destruction of the human race, and the farm’s success is the only thing that can save humanity. In this wildly theatrical survival story, SEED’s colorful characters – disgruntled gods, ragtag activists, an unhinged farmer, a smart-talking broccoli, a cynical businessman – clash but ultimately find unexpectedly common ground.

SEED: A Weird Act of Faith begins previews October 25, opens November 3 and runs through November 18, 2012. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Chuco’s Justice Center, 1137 E. Redondo Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90302. There will be no performance on Friday, November 16. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and available online at www.CornerstoneTheater.org.

 A limited number of Pay-What-You-Can tickets will be available at the door. Select dates will include public events such as panels, conversations, and pre-show performances. There will be a Produce Stand with local produce available for purchase every Saturday and Sunday before the show. More information at www.CornerstoneTheater.org.