EDWARD KING, Central Works new comedy about finding your roots opens May 13 (Download PDF)
Central Works Spring production, Edward King by Gary Graves, is a new comedy based on a very old story. The production opens with a press night May 13th (previews May 11th &12th), running through Jun 11 at the historic Berkeley City Club. A new comedy about finding your roots, in Edward King a hard working couple hilariously confronts the hapless enmity of fate. Central Works World Premiere #55, Edward King was developed as a Central Works Method Play and is directed by Gary Graves with a cast that features John Patrick Moore (member AEA), Michelle Talgarow and Jan Zvaifler.
“Edward King is a comedy about identity. About where we come from. About who we are. About our origins. Why are we so fascinated with that stuff? What if the story of your roots was the worst thing you could possibly imagine? What would you do then? That’s what Ed King has to decide….” remarks Gary Graves. “If ever there was a time when we needed a good laugh, it’s now.”
Edward King written by Gary Graves
May 13–Jun 11 (previews May 11 & 12 )
A new comedy, based on a very old story
At: The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley.
Performances: Thurs., Fri.& Sat. 8 pm, Sun. 5 pm
Ticket prices: $30 online at centralworks.org, $30–$15 sliding scale at the door.
Previews and Thursdays are pay-what-you-can at the door.
Tickets: 510.558.1381 or centralworks.org
Synopsis:
In this production, Ed King is a mail carrier for the US Postal Service. He’s been married to his wife, Jo, for almost twenty years. She works the swing shift at the local Bob’s Big Boy. They’re a hard working couple, struggling to maintain a modest home in the San Bernardino Valley. And they’ve gone deep into debt in order to get their daughter into college. But there’s a problem in the house. There’s something growing in the basement. Some kind of mold? Whatever it is, it’s spreading. And it’s eating away at the foundation of the house, threatening ultimately to bring the whole place down. Ed vows to figure out what the hell this hideous blight on his home is, and to get rid of it – whatever it takes.
Playwright/Director
Gary Graves (playwright/director) has been a resident playwright and company co-director at Central Works since 1998. He has been a part of developing 55 world premiere productions with the company, many of which he has either written and/or directed. Titles of plays he has written include: Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and Hyde, Project Ahab, Dracula Inquest, Red Virgin, Richard the First (a trilogy), Machiavelli’s The Prince, Achilles and Patroklos, The Grand Inquisitor, Chekhov’s The Duel, Misanthrope, Mata Hari, and Penelope’s Odyssey. He also leads the Central Works Writers Workshop, and he teaches playwriting regularly at the Berkeley Rep School of Theater.
Cast
John Patrick Moore* is thrilled to be involved with Edward King. As an Artistic Associate with Central Works, he has directed or acted in over 13 world premieres including: Hearts of Palm, Project Ahab, The Red Virgin, Richard the First, Reduction in Force, Midsummer/4, Shadow Crossing & The Duel. John’s NY credits include: Emma the Musical (NYMF), Edward III (Hope Theatre), Richard II and As You Like It (Expanded Art’s Free Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot). In the Bay Area, he has worked with Marin Theatre Company, The Magic Theatre, 42nd Street Moon, CenterRep, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Alter Theater and SF Playground. *Member Actors Equity Association
Michelle Talgarow is excited to be working with Central Works once again. She was last seen in their production of Hearts of Palm. She is a proud member of Shotgun Players where she is one of this season’s Champagne Reading Series Coordinator. She recently co-directed with Susannah Martin, That it All Makes Perfect by Erin Bregman with 6NewPlays. Michelle is also a proud member of Mugwumpin.
Jan Zvaifler is Co-director of Central Works along with Gary Graves. A founding member of the company, Jan has participated as an actor, designer, director and/or producer for the past 26 seasons. She was seen on stage last season in Patricia Milton’s Hearts of Palm, and will be directing the Central Works musical, Strange Ladies, this coming Fall.
