The World Premiere Of The Rainbow Bridge Opens At The Ruskin July 21

Just when Jerry thought he’d moved on from his family drama, his mother and sister come back to haunt him…literally. The battle he must wage in this fearless and merciless new comedy will remind us all about those hot buttons we keep buried just below the surface. Be brave and you just may enjoy a good cry while you’re laughing….

July 16, 2017 —

A New Comedy by Ron Nelson
Ruskin Group Theatre presents the World Premiere of
“The Rainbow Bridge”
Directed by Michael Myers
Opening on Friday, July 21, 2017
Running at 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm on Sundays through September 17, 2017
Ruskin Group Theatre at 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405

At the intersection of real and satire, Jerry struggles to keep moving forward in his life while haunted by the ghosts of his family’s past. This fearless new comedy mercilessly seeks out and pushes those psychological hot buttons that aren’t hidden. Be brave, and one just may enjoy a good cry while laughing.

During their second decade of bringing Los Angeles audiences outstanding entertainment, Ruskin Group Theatre continues to celebrate the essence of arts and humanity, within the microcosm of theatre. Supporting new writers and the development of new plays is an important part of the Ruskin season.

In this new work, playwright Ron Nelson explains that he’s always been a big fan of processing tragedy through comedy. After dealing with awful experiences a few years ago, he was inspired to write something humorous, based on working through it. He goes on to say that laughter sets the spirit free, sort of like a vitamin for the soul.

Ron Nelson has written for several television shows and movies including Real Monsters, Roseanne, Sparks, Good News, Dilbert  and A Perfect Christmas. He is a frequent contributor to the Cafe Play series at the Ruskin Theatre, an active member of the California State Bar, and he accepts collect calls from prison.

Director Michael Myers has helmed numerous productions at Ruskin Group Theatre, most recently having developed, directed, and produced the world premiere of Sneaky Ole Time, the music of Grammy Award winner Paul Overstreet. Selected directing credits at Ruskin include the world premiere of Digging up Dad and the critically acclaimed production of Faithful. Michael produced the world premiere production of Rex Pickett’s Sideways The Play and Paradise: A Divine Blue Grass Musical Comedy and upwards of 70 projects since 2002. He is a co-creator of the company’s popular CAFÉ PLAYS, a monthly offering of one-acts that get produced in 10 1/2 hours from conception to staging. Michael serves as chair of the Santa Monica Arts Commission.

Ruskin Group Theatre launched the World Premiere of Rex Pickett’s Sideways The Play, picked up by La Jolla Playhouse and now slated for Broadway, as well as the project Paradise, A Bluegrass Musical Comedy. Ruskin’s Healing Through The Arts program brings their actors into Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, where they are working with the Chase Child Life Program, entertaining the patients. The CAFÉ PLAYS, created by RGT, are produced and now celebrating their 12th anniversary. RGT supporters Dylan McDermott, Ed Asner, Chris Mulkey, Olivia d’Abo, and other industry celebrities joined to produce the Best of Café Plays (both shows sold out within hours) for their 10th season. Anthony Hopkins, David Mamet, Tony Franciosa, and Ed O’Neill are just some of the noted guests to have taught Master classes at the Ruskin.

John Ruskin (Artistic Director/Producer) founded the professional company in 2001. He helmed their critically acclaimed production of Strange Snow and teaches a Master’s Class in acting at Ruskin School of Acting. John’s years of experience include studies at the Yale School of Drama, British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England, and the University of Colorado in Boulder. In New York, Ruskin joined the acting faculty of the Neighborhood Playhouse at the request of Sanford Meisner (who he then apprenticed with) before moving to Los Angeles where he founded his own school of acting in addition to the professional theatre company. He provides outreach through RGT with their “Healing Through the Arts” project. Presently, this includes taking RGT actors into Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA to work with and entertain the patients.

The Rainbow Bridge opens at 8pm on Friday, July 21st and continues at 8pm Fridays – Saturday, and 2pm on Sundays, through September 17, 2017. Ruskin Group Theatre is located at 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $25 ($20 for students, seniors, and guild members) and can be purchased in advance by calling (310) 397-3244 or online at www.ruskingrouptheatre.com

Cast: Mary Carrig, Mouchette Van Helsdingen, Emily Jerez, Jaimi Paige, Paul Schackman, Lynne Marie Stewart, and L. Emille Thomas

Production Team: Mike Reilly (Production Manager), Hillary Bauman (Scenic Design), Mike Reilly (Lighting Designer), Chip Bolcik (Sound Design), Sarah Figoten Wilson (Costume Design), Nicole Millar (Stage Manager), and Emily Anna Bell (Co-Producer and ASM)
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CALENDAR INFORMATION:

WHAT: The Rainbow Bridge

Written by: Ron Nelson
Directed by: Michael Myers
Produced by: John Ruskin and Emily Anna Bell
Presented by: Ruskin Group Theatre

WHERE:
Ruskin Group Theatre
3000 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(Ample free parking)

HOW:
For Reservations call (310) 397-3244 or http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com

WHEN: Opening on Friday, July 21, 2017
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm
Closing: September 17, 2017

PRICE: $25 (Students, Guild Members & Seniors $20)

Contact Info:
Name: John Ruskin
Email: mike@ruskinschool.com
Phone: 310-397-3244
Organization: Ruskin Group Theatre Company

Source: MM-prReach

Release ID: 217865