SkyPilot Theatre Company
Presents
"TAKING SIDES"
By Ronald Harwood

"I love my country, I believe in art, what was I to do?"

*Written by Ronald Harwood, the Academy Award Winning Writer of "The Pianist"
*Based on true events.
*Produced by SkyPilot Theatre Company, who brought you last year's critically acclaimed "HELLCAB" by Will Kern and "REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT" by Rod Serling.

"TAKING SIDES" is a powerful examination of the denazification trial of Wilhelm Furtwangler, conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. While no nonsense U.S. Army Major Steve Arnold investigates, Furtwangler fights for his freedom as Arnold dragnet's his search for a high profile celebrity guilty of supporting Hitler.

Directed by Michael Brainard
Starring James Sharpe (as Major Arnold), Benton Jennings (as Wilhelm Furtwangler), Enci, Rob Tepper, Eric Johnson, Bonnie Leigh, and Patrick Gwaltney.

"TAKING SIDES" runs October 19 thru November 18, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm. Previews on Friday October 19. Opening night on Saturday October 20 with reception afterwards.
Performances are at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505 (2 doors East of Priscilla's Coffee Shop).
There is ample street parking available.
Running time is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Tickets are $20.
To make a reservation call 1-800-838-3006 or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/20711

Press and professional comps, call Bob Rusch at 323-229-2753.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to The Museum of Tolerance, dedicated to providing a unique and provocative experience that challenges visitors to become witnesses to history, confront the dynamic of intolerance and engages visitors' hearts and minds in a journey of discovery to inspire change. For more info, go to http://www.museumoftolerance.com

http://www.skypilottheatre.com

“REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT”
A play by Rod Serling
Presented by SkyPilot Theatre Company
Directed by Eric Johnson
Starring Ken Butler, Bob Rusch, Duff Dugan, Tonja Kahlens, Charles Anteby, Stewart Skelton, Scotty Servis, Broocks Willich, BENTON JENNINGS, Tommy Wilson-Obrien, Frank Stasio, Sean King, Dave Uchansky and Alton Clemente.
Thru June 24, 2007
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 7pm
T.U. Studios 10943 Camarillo St., North Hollywood, Ca 91602 (Just East of Lankershim/Vineland intersection)
“An aging boxer (Bob Rusch) and his shifty manager face off against an uncertain future outside the ring in the Skypilot Theatre Company production of Rod Serling’s classic play (which won a Peabody Award)...The washed up boxer is ruled unfit for the ring by a stadium doctor - an excellent Benton Jennings - and suddenly finds himself a has-been at the ripe old age of 33...The emotional beats are delivered in affecting, one-two punch monologues..” - Amy Bowker, The Tolucan Times
“With the brooding melodrama of an Edward Hopper painting, Rod Serling’s 1956 teleplay has become a standard of post–WWII angst, which presented the flip side of American optimism in the mid-20th century. In gritty, poetic language worthy of Eugene O’Neill, Serling creates a testosterone-driven world of desperation and failure that shadows the shadowy world of prize fighting. Once-successful promoter Maishe Resnick (Ken Butler) sinks to betting against his own aging “boy” boxer, Mountain McClintock (Bob Rusch), sending both into financial and emotional tailspins. Social worker Grace Miller (Tonja Kahlens) intervenes and becomes entangled with McClintock, setting off a power struggle with Resnick. Under Eric Johnson’s shamelessly heavy-handed yet effective direction, the cast provide scene-chewing performances that somehow fit perfectly into Serling’s breast-beating play. Rusch fills every moment of his performance as the big-lug boxer with Serling’s bathos — excruciating and sparkling with life. The design team combines to create the dark Hopper world with enormous skill in this tiny theater.” - Tom Provenzano, LA Weekly (rated as a “Go”)
"Requiem for a Heavyweight" is the "Death of a Salesman" of the prizefighting world, as powerful today as when the Rod Serling teleplay first aired in 1956. At a tiny North Hollywood theater, Bob Rusch delivers a performance that in every way lives up to the heavyweight's nickname: "Mountain." Even when released from boxing gloves, Rusch's hands remain curled into fists, indicating the many years they've spent inside the leather. Years back Mountain was a serious title contender but after 111 fights he's on the ropes. "What did I do wrong?" he asks after losing his latest bout. "You aged," his manager replies. Thereafter, the boxer walks around with the world's weight slumping his shoulders. But on those rare occasions when he rises to his full height, watch out, because he's still got some fight left in him. Ken Butler, as the manager, maintains a hard-bitten exterior that is meant to hide guilt (he's betrayed Mountain) and fear (he faces imminent ruin). Worry nevertheless sneaks past the edges of Butler's iron mask, letting us know the guy's not a total monster, at least. When the emotions finally break loose, the audience is seated close enough to see tears welling in the actor's eyes. (Trivia alert: Butler happens to have been a producer of a quick-to-close 1985 Broadway "Requiem" starring John Lithgow.) ...the production, tautly directed by Eric Johnson, is sending theatergoers out the doors with telltale wetness on their cheeks.” — Daryl H. Miller, LA Times
Tickets: $15 (plus service charge)
For reservations call 1-800-838-3006
or go to
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/15113