PHOENIX

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – AEGIS THEATRE COMPANY presents the return of the playful and intelligent dramatic comedy, PHOENIX, by Scott Organ and helmed by acclaimed director Michael Yavnieli from October 4 – 20, 2024. 

ABOUT PHOENIX

When Bruce and Sue meet four weeks after an uncharacteristic one-night-stand, Sue has this to say to him: one, I had a great time with you that night, and two, let’s never see each other again. Thus begins a 4,000-mile journey well beyond the confines of their carefully structured worlds. Bruce is fueled by an overwhelming but undefined compulsion to join her in Phoenix. Sue is reluctantly charmed by his persistence, but steadfast in her resolve to keep him at bay. Both are forced to consider a whole new world of possibility, though not one free of difficulty and loss.

PHOENIX is a dramatic comedy about courage. 

*”Phoenix (Organ)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

BIOS

Emanuela Boisbouvier (Sue) – is a Monégasque/Italian actor based in Los Angeles. She graduated with degrees in Political Science and Theater from UCLA, and is currently working on an Artist Visa in the US. Her recent theatrical credits include FINDING AVI at the La Jolla Playhouse WOW Festival and THE MOTHERF*CKER WITH THE HAT at Bold Theater. On screen, she most recently starred in the upcoming indie feature film JAUNT, directed by Alexi Papalexopoulos. She’s excited to get back on stage in L.A. and to tell this story that’s close to her heart. She is playing the role of Sue in PHOENIX, and also co-producing along with Gus.

Gus Schlanbusch (Bruce) – Graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Theatre and has also studied with the British American Drama Academy, the Prague Shakespeare Company, and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada. Gus is a founding member of Aegis Theatre Company, with whom he has directed past productions of THE ALIENS and DREAD, as well as producing ROUTE and PHOENIX.  Chicago theatre: ARCADIA, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, DOMER. Television: CHICAGO PD. Gus is playing the role of Bruce in PHOENIX, and co-producing the play.

Michael Yavnieli (Director) – Began directing theater in 2019, and PHOENIX represents his sixth stage play as director. In 2019, Michael helmed productions of James McLure’s LAUNDRY & BOURBON + LONE STAR in Los Angeles and San Francisco; then I AM MY OWN WIFE, DINNER WITH FRIENDS and COCK for Crimson Square Theatre Company in Los Angeles, receiving positive reviews for all, and garnering mention (for Cock) as one of Medium.com’s Top Ten LA Theatre Productions of 2019. In 2022, he produced and directed David Ives’ ALL IN THE TIMING + MERE MORTALS, which starred Patrick Warburton, at the Zephyr Theatre. Yavnieli is also an actor, having appeared in over thirty television and film productions and over forty theatrical productions in his three-decade professional career. He is the founding teacher of MY Acting Studios, and studied his craft for many years at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

SANDRA KUKER PR – Publicity (Sandra Kuker-Franco)
An award-winning publicist with over four decades of experience, she has created a client list of diversity and successful campaigns. Film highlight: A World Away (Mark Blanchard). Stage: I’m Not A Comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce (Ronnie Marmo, Joe Mantegna – Director), Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground (Tony Winner John Rubinstein), Adventures In The Great Beyond, Death Of A Salesmen (Frances Fisher & Joe Cortese), Elephant Man, My Child, Mothers Of War (an all-star cast), Voice Lessons (Laurie Metcalf, French Stewart & Maile Flanagan), Write Act Repertory 15+ Production Campaigns, Panic! Productions: Footloose The Musical, plus 8 others. Crimson Square TC/BHP: Outrage + 8 other shows. Utilizing the strength of relationships, social media and traditional PR. www.SandraKukerPR.com

THE TEAM

Emanuela Boisbouvier – Sue
Gus Schlanbusch – Bruce
Director – Michael Yavnieli
Technical Designer – Nick Howard
Stage Manager – Caitlin Grace
Digital Designer – Molly Sazer-Hopf
Publicist – Sandra Kuker PR – Sandra Kuker-Franco