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Actors Co-op Opens 28th Season with THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP –A PENNY DREADFUL

Friday, October 4, 2019 to November 10, 2019 Tickets now on sale!

HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 21, 2019) THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL written by Charles Ludlam, directed by Carla Cackowski, and produced by Carly Lopez, is a hilarious fright fest, complete with a cast of monsters and an Egyptian princess. The two-hander, multi-character show, is a nod to classic Gothic melodramas and the black and white B Horror Movies of the 1930s. Director Carla Cackowski notes, “Ludlam wrote this as a loving homage to these specific genres so he is heightening ​ moments from these novels and films that delighted him. It doesn't always have to be rooted in logic. It just always has to be fun! ”

The Actors Co-op production of THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL features the talents of John Allee and Isaac Wade. The design team includes Greg McGoon (Scenic and Projection Design), Jessa Orr (Scenic and Projection Design), Vicki Conrad (Costume Design), Martha Carter (Lighting Design), David B. Marling (Sound Design), Lori Berg (Prop Design), and Eric White (Stage Manager).

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL plays October 4 through November 10. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sunday Matinees at 2:30 pm; Saturday Matinees 10/12 & 10/19 at 2:30 pm. Tickets: $35.00. Seniors (60+): $30.00. Students: $25.00. Group rates are available for parties of 6 or more. To buy tickets or ​ ​ ​ ​ make reservations please visit www.ActorsCo-op.org or call (323) 462-8460. Actors ​ ​ ​ Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. 90028 (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood 90028.

ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP- A PENNY DREADFUL

The Mystery of Irma Vep was first produced by Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company, opening off-off-Broadway in 's Greenwich Village in September 1984 and closing in April 1986. It starred Ludlam as Lady Enid, the new mistress of the manor, and a butler, and Everett Quinton (Ludlam's lover) as Lord Edgar Hillcrest, the master of the manor, and the housekeeper (among other characters). The "Cast and Crew" won a Special Drama Desk Award. Ludlam and Quinton won the 1985 Obie Award for Ensemble Performance.

The show was later produced off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre from September 1998 through July 1999, with Quinton and Stephen DeRosa. The production won the 1999 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Revival,[8] along with Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Set Design (John Lee Beatty), and Outstanding Costume Design (William Ivey Long).

In 1991, Irma Vep was the most produced play in the United States, and in 2003, it became the longest-running play ever produced in Brazil.

ABOUT ACTORS CO-OP’S 2019-2020 SEASON THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL is the first production of Actors Co-op’s 2019 – 2020 Season. Following THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP – A PENNY DREADFUL will be the Los Angeles premiere of a new adaptation of MIRACLE ON 34TH ​ STREET: A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY based on the 1947 Lux Radio Hour, adapted by Lance Arthur Smith, with original songs and arrangements by Jon Lorenz, directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie (November 1 – December 15, 2019; A BODY OF WATER written by Lee Blessing with a world premiere new ending, directed by Nan McNamara (February 7 – March 15, 2020); MARVIN’S ROOM written by Scott McPherson, directed by Thomas James O’Leary (March 20 – May 3, 2020); and THE MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, with book by Terence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, directed by Richard Israel (May 8 – June 14, 2020) presented through ​ special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). ​

RECENT AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS FOR ACTORS CO-OP THEATRE COMPANY Actors Co-op recently won the 2018 Ovation Award for Direction of a Musical by Richard Israel for their critically acclaimed production of Violet. The company takes ​ ​ pride in Four 2017 Ovation Awards for their Critics Pick production 33 Variations: Best ​ ​ ​ ​ Production of a Play, Intimate Theatre, Best Lighting, Intimate Theatre – Andrew Schmedake, Best Scenic Design, Intimate Theatre - Nicholas Acciani, and Best Direction of a Play – Thomas James O’Leary; Two Robby Awards 33 Variations, Nan ​ ​ Martin Award Best Production and Sally Kemp Award Best Actress Drama - Nan McNamara. In addition, Actors Co-op Theatre Company garnered Five 2017 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nominations for 33 Variations. In addition, Steel ​ ​ ​ Magnolia’s director, Cameron Watson, became recipient of this year’s Los Angeles ​ ​ ​ Drama Critics Circle Milton Katselas Award for Distinguished Achievement in Direction at the LADCC Awards Ceremony at the Pasadena Playhouse. For more than a quarter century, ACTORS CO-OP has been bringing audience members world-class theatre.

Subscriptions for Actors Co-op Theatre Company’s 28th Season are now available! Early Bird Subscriptions for all five Shows are $99 (if purchased for performances during the first three weekends of run of each show). Actors Co-op 2019/2020 Season Preferred Seating Subscriptions are $125. To subscribe online, purchase tickets or for more information please visit www.ActorsCo-op.org or call (323) 462-8460.

ABOUT ACTORS CO-OP In its 28th season of transforming theatre, Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Actors Co-op began in 1987 with a dozen actors. Currently, its membership exceeds 50 professionals. Called “a 99-seat miracle” by Daily Variety, Actors Co-op’s numerous awards for theatre excellence include the Los Angeles Drama Critics Polly Warfield Award for “Outstanding Season” (2013) in a small to mid-sized theatre, sixteen Ovation Award nominations including “Best Season” (2013-2014), the Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Achievement” in smaller theatre from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle as well as the Charlie Award for “Excellence in the Arts” by the Hollywood Arts Council.

Actors Co-op is located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, just off the Gower Street exit of the 101 Hollywood Freeway. Free, well-lit parking is available on Carlos Street (1/2 block east of Gower).

Calendar listing for The Mystery of Irma Vep- A Penny Dreadful ​ By Charles Ludlam Directed by Carla Cackowski

Venue: Actors Co-op 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood

Dates: Friday, October 4, 2019- Sunday, November 20, 2019 Free Preview, Thursday October 3, 2019 (Reservation Required)

Performance Schedule: Friday, Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:30pm, Additional Saturday Matinees: October 12 and October 19 at 2:30pm

Tickets: Prices start at $25.00 Online -- www.actorsco-op.org ​ By phone at 323-462-8460 ex. 300 In person the day of a show at Actors Co-op 1760 N. Gower, Hollywood CA 90028

Information: For more information about Actors Co-op and future productions visit www.actorsco-op.org ​

Description: Mesmerizing comedic thriller . . . Or a bedazzling thrilling comedy? You decide!

Enter into the longer nights of autumn with The Mystery of Irma Vep, a hilarious fright fest, complete with a cast of monsters and an Egyptian princess. This two-actor, multi-character show will spellbind audiences with its nod to the classic Gothic melodramas and early fright flicks of the 1930s and 40s.

Biographies:

JOHN ALLEE* (Jane, Lord Edgar, Intruder) Previously at Actors Co-op: A Man for All ​ Seasons, The Man Who Came to Dinner, 33 Variations (Ovation Award nominee - Best ​ Ensemble, Ovation Award - Best Production). John is an ensemble member of The ​ Antaeus Company where he has appeared in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Cloud 9 ​ ​ ​ (LADCC Awards for Best Production, Best Ensemble), Uncle Vanya, The Crucible, You ​ Can’t Take It with You, Peace in Our Time (Ovation Award for Best Production), The ​ ​ Malcontent, and numerous public readings. Other stage highlights: Much Ado About ​ ​ Nothing (Kingsmen Shakespeare Co), Little Shop of Horrors (Arizona Theatre ​ ​ ​ Company), Assassins (Los Angeles Theatre Center), Alone Together (Pasadena ​ ​ ​ ​ Playhouse), A Midsummer Night's Dream (LA Opera, San Francisco Opera, and ​ ​ Houston Grand Opera), One Thousand Cranes (Mark Taper Forum), Chaplin ​ ​ ​ (Pre-Broadway/Dorothy Chandler Pavilion). Recent TV/Film: Recurring role of Pasha on th Flesh and Bone (Starz), The 5 ​ Quarter, Sounds of Silence. John is also an ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ award-winning singer-songwriter and recording artist. His latest album is Bardfly, jazz ​ ​ interpretations of songs from Shakespeare. johnallee.com ​ ISAAC WADE (Lady Enid, Nicodemus, Alcazar, Pev Amri) Previously at Actors Co-op: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Around the World in 80 Days, and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Turn of the Screw. He also appeared with the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble in I, ​ ​ Gelosi, Quixotic, Adeline's Play, The Heretic Mysteries, Trog & Clay: An Imagined ​ ​ History of the Electric Chair, and Group: A Musical. He also appeared in cARTel's ​ ​ ​ production of Amongst the Trees. He can also be heard in several radio plays with ​ ​ Tsunami Radio Theater. More info at www.isaacwade.com ​

CARLA CACKOWSKI (Director) is delighted to be making her Actors Co-op debut with this wonderfully ridiculous play. Recent credits include directing shows at The Second City (LA), Curious Comedy Theater (Portland, OR), and Stephnie Weir's one woman show, Vanona Ray at the Comedy Central Stage. She regularly tours around the world ​ ​ performing comedic improv with her two person show Orange Tuxedo. Recent tours ​ ​ include the Copenhagen International Improv Festival, the Vancouver International Improv Fest, and the Warsaw Improv Festival. Carla proudly serves on the Board of Directors at Kickstand Comedy, a non-profit theatre that seeks to serve the needs of the community, providing programming and educational outreach that helps people laugh, connect, and thrive together. www.carlacackowski.com ​

CHARLES LUDLAM (Playwright) Ludlam was born in Floral Park, New York, and was ​ raised in Greenlawn, New York. He attended Harborfields High School and performed in plays with the Township Theater Group, a community theatre in Huntington. During his senior year of high school, Ludlam directed, produced, and performed plays with a group of friends, students from Huntington, Northport, Greenlawn, and Centerport. Their "Students Repertory Theatre," housed in the loft studio beneath the Posey School of Dance on Main Street in Northport, seated an audience of 25, and was sold out for every performance. Their repertoire included Kan Kikuchi's Madman on the Roof; ​ ​ Theatre of the Soul; a readers' theatre adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River ​ ​ Anthology; and plays by and Eugene O'Neill. Ludlam joined John ​ Vaccaro's Play-House of the Ridiculous, and founded his own Ridiculous Theatrical Company in 1967. His first plays were rudimentary exercises; starting with Bluebeard. ​ ​ He began writing more structured plays, which were often pastiches of gothic novels; works by Federico Garcia Lorca, Shakespeare, and ; and popular culture and old movies. These works were humorous but had serious undertones. Ludlam's Bluebeard was produced at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, where ​ ​ Vaccaro's company was in residence, in March 1970. Ludlam performed in this production as Khanazar von Bluebeard. Black-Eyed-Susan, , and Mario Montez also performed in this production.His most well-known play is The Mystery of ​ Irma Vep, in which two actors play seven roles in a pastiche of gothic horror novels. In ​ 1991, Irma Vep was the most produced play in the United States; and in 2003, it ​ ​ became the longest-running production ever staged in Brazil. # # #