“This Bitter Earth”
“This Bitter Earth” at the Road Theatre Company in the NoHo Arts District
The Road Theatre Company takes a sharp turn off the beaten path for their 2021 season. Pulling out of a year that turned many artistic avenues into dead ends, The Road – led by Founding Artistic Director Taylor Gilbert, together with Artistic Director Sam Anderson – is bringing some of Los Angeles’ best intimate theatre across the country and around the world in a bold new format. In short: The Road Theatre’s stage in North Hollywood has been converted into a soundstage. At the crossroads of cutting-edge digital technology and kinetic live theatre, this season will be presented as fully staged theatre productions recorded on a COVID-guideline compliant set, and then streamed.
But this is much more than a Zoom reading — “This Bitter Earth” is a fully-realized stage production, recorded on four cameras at The Road Theatre Company’s Magnolia stage, guaranteeing every ticketholder the best seat in the house!
Each ticket buys access to the performance, which will be streamed at a specific date and time, just like a night out at the theatre. This appointment viewing format is designed to elevate and honor the tireless work of stage artists while offering theatre goers the opportunity to make an event during these quarantined times. Amplified by this new and exciting format, the plays presented in The Road Theatre Company’s 29th season focus on bold truth, and the courage required to confront and embrace it.
Friday, March 26, at 5:00pm and 8:00pm PT.
Saturday, March 27 at 5:00pm and 8:00pm PT
Sunday, March 28 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm PT
The show will stream every other weekend through April 25
“This Bitter Earth” by Harrison David Rivers
Directed by Gregg T. Daniel
Jesse, an introspective black playwright, finds his choices called into question when his boyfriend, Neil, a white Black Lives Matter activist, calls him out for his political apathy. As passions and priorities collide, this couple is forced to reckon with issues of race, class and the bravery it takes to love out loud.
The cast of “This Bitter Earth” will feature: Matthew Hancock as Jesse and Chase Cargill as Neil.
HARRISON DAVID RIVERS is the winner of the 2018 Relentless Award, a GLAAD Media Award winner, and a McKnight Fellow, among many other accolades. Harrison’s musical “Broadbend, Arkansas” premiered Off-Broadway in 2019, and productions of his work across the country continue to solidify him as a compassionate voice for change.
GREGG T. DANIEL (Director) Founder/Artistic Director of Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble and a faculty member at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Previously directed “Mariana’s Trench” at the 2011 Summer Playwright’s Festival at The Road. Other credits include West Coast premieres of Tearrance Arvelle Chisolm’s, “Br’er Cotton” (Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble), Mfoniso Udofia’s, “Her Portmanteau” (Boston Court Pasadena), Lorraine Hansberry’s “Les Blancs” (Rogue Machine theatre, Ovation-nominated, Best Director), and “Home” by Samm Art Williams (International City Theatre). He is a recipient of the 2016 NAACP Best Director award for the International City Theatre’s production of Fences by August Wilson (nominated L.A. Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, and StageScene LA awards.) He is an accomplished actor with over 100 appearances in television and film roles.
“This Bitter Earth” has assembled the following design and production team; Scenic Design is by Brian Graves. Lighting Design is by Derrick McDaniel. Sound Design is by Yasmine El-Tayeb. Costume Design is by Mary Jane Miller. Projection Design is by Nick Santiago. The Production Stage Manager is Maurie Gonzalez. Producers are Ray Paolantonio and Judith Moreland. Associate Producer is Blake Young-Fountain.
“This Bitter Earth” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
ABOUT THE SCHEDULE:
“This Bitter Earth” will premiere on Friday, March 26, at 5:00pm and 8:00pm PT. Remaining mindful of their nationwide audience, The Road will stream additional weekend performances on Saturday, March 27 at 5:00pm and 8:00pm PST, and Sunday, March 28 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm PT. The show will stream every other weekend through April 25. Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased at roadtheatre.org. Runtime: 90 minutes.
THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY:
Located in the heart of the NoHo Arts District, L.A. County’s fastest growing arts community, The Road is an ensemble of 150+ theatre artists fiercely committed to the creation and development of new plays. To further that mission, The Road has launched Under Construction, a diverse collaborative group of new and established playwrights dedicated to socially and politically relevant storytelling for the American stage. Celebrating 29 years of groundbreaking work and led by Founding Artistic Director Taylor Gilbert along with Artistic Director Sam Anderson, The Road is a multi award-winning theatre named as one of the top ten intimate theatre companies in Los Angeles (LA Weekly). Visit www.roadtheatre.org for more info.
Support for both productions was made possible in part through generous support of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, LA County Arts Commission and the Office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian.