TRS Announces its Inaugural Season and Ticket Sales are available at www.therelevantstage.com

Aug. 28, 2007 - PRLog -- THE RELEVANT STAGE (TRS) a nonprofit theatre company, and Its mission is clearly referenced within its name:  "TRS", will stage plays, musicals, operas and mixed media performing arts, that are socially "relevant" to the world we all live in.

Reflecting the history of the Warner Grand Theater as a cinematic and performing arts space, the first production will be a mixed media offering consisting of excerpts from an award-winning documentary film, RATS & BULLIES by filmmaker, Roberta McMillan and a dynamic, dramatic play by renowned playwright, William Mastrosimone titled, BANG BANG YOU’RE DEAD.   Both are blended with and complemented by interpretive dance.  Conceived by TRS’ founder and artistic director, Ray Buffer - ACTS OF DESPERATION is the name of the entire presentation and is directed by Lucas Pakes.

RATS & BULLIES investigates the suicide of Dawn-Marie Wesley, a 14-year-old girl, motivated by teen bullying, and the precedent setting court case that followed where the teen bullies were made to stand trial for their actions.  The story had been featured on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," and reveals the tale of relational aggression that in this case led to death or what has been termed, bullycide.  The film also focuses on the unintentional, yet irreparable damage done to the lives of Dawn-Marie’s family, friends and community by Dawn Marie’s choice to take her own life.

BANG BANG YOU'RE DEAD is the disconcerting story of a boy who goes on a school shooting rampage.  The play takes place in the boy's jail cell as the ghosts of his victims demand answers, and explain to him that their lives had meaning.  Following the each presentation, an audience discussion will be offered with the filmmakers, cast of the play, and the director.

Two FREE private performances for students and teachers will be offered on Thursday, January 31 and Friday, February 1 at 1PM.  Schools interested in bring groups to these performances should contact (310) 929-8129 as attendance for these special dates must be booked well in advance.  Public performances occur on those same evenings at 7PM as well as Saturday February 2 at 7PM and Sunday, February 3 at 1PM.  Tickets will be $15 for adults 19-64, $10 for college students with ID and seniors 65+ and $5 for teens, 18 and under.  Because of the mature subject matter and occasional profanity in the film, this event is not recommended for audiences younger than 12.  Parental discretion is advised.

The second production will be a West Coast Premiere of OVER THERE/OVER HERE, written by Michael Reyes.  Reyes was 22 when he began writing this play for New York’s Cabrillo Theatre using examples from his own experiences as an Iraq war veteran.  The protagonist, Marcus, is a young man who grew up in a rough Brooklyn neighborhood, and with his options limited by poverty, he chooses to enlist in the US Military.

The first half of the story takes place "over there" - Iraq, prior to Saddam Hussein's capture. The second half of the story takes place three months later "over here" - once Marcus has returned home, and after the fall of Baghdad. The story examines with respect to all viewpoints, the cost of war, the value of sacrifice, and the hopes of the young.   Ray Buffer will direct.

Performances are May 29, 30 & 31 at 7PM and June 1 at 2PM.  Tickets will be $25 for adults 19-64, $20 for college students with ID and seniors 65+ and $5 for teens, 18 and under.  Because of the mature subject matter and occasional profanity in the play, this event is not recommended for audiences younger than 12.  Parental discretion is advised.

Two musicals are offered in the summer.   URINETOWN THE MUSICAL, makes its San Pedro debut.   Bobby, a young man living in a future world where Earth's natural resources have been outpaced by population growth, tries to change the world. This irreverent story posits a planet where all water, even urine is a valued commodity that must be regulated. Public toilets run by government contractors insure that no one can "pee for free".

Feeling oppressed by the government’s penchant for conservation, Bobby stirs a revolution against the status quo in a comedy full of rousing tunes, sensational parody, exuberant dance and unexpected twists! This musical by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis was nominated for an impressive 10 Tony Awards, winning in 2002 for Best Book, Score, and Direction.   The show also won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical.

Performances are August 7, 8 & 9 and 14, 15 & 16 at 7PM as well as August 10 & 17 at 2PM.  Tickets will be $35 for adults 19-64, $30 for college students with ID and seniors 65+ and $5 for youths, 18 and under.  This musical contains adult humor.  Parental discretion is advised.

BAT BOY THE MUSICAL appears just prior to Halloween, also making its San Pedro debut. The story is derived from the pop culture icon, “Bat Boy” as created by Weekly World News for its supermarket tabloid publication.  In this off-Broadway cult hit, by Lawrence O’Keefe, Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming, a boy with fangs and pointy ears is discovered in a cave. He is taken in by a veterinarian, his wife and daughter and named Edgar. At first he is kept in a cage. As he grows up he is taught to be civilized. Edgar finds conditional acceptance within the small town despite the strange happenings that surround him.

However, Edgar’s cravings are not "normal", and ultimately he must define himself: is he beast or man? What are his true origins?  Should he conform to societal norms, and can he? This dark, offbeat, musical comedy will tug at your heart and make you cheer.

Performances are October 16, 17 & 18 and 23, 24 & 25 at 7PM in addition to October 19 and 26 at 2PM.  Tickets will be $35 for adults 19-64, $30 for college students with ID and seniors 65+ and $5 for youths, 18 and under.  This musical contains adult situations.  Parental discretion is advised.

Both musicals are directed by TJ Dawson.  T.J. has a growing reputation as an up and coming director/choreographer and has directed in both the L.A. and O.C. area. He most recently directed the critically acclaimed production of SIDE SHOW in Westminster this past July; which received Critic's Pick from Backstage West. He also directed and choreographed the Orange County premieres of SIDE SHOW and BAT BOY THE MUSICAL for which also received Critic's Pick from Backstage West and the "Roar of the Crowd" award from Gold Star Events.

Rounding out this first season by THE RELEVANT STAGE is another West Coast Premiere, this one by playwright Seth Rozin titled, RENVENTING EDEN.  This thought-provoking play premiered in Philadelphia at InterAct Theatre in 2006

In REINVENTING EDEN, Jonas is a geneticist who is about to be honored for his life's work. But on the eve of this recognition, dark family secrets are revealed. Twenty years earlier, Jonas tampered with the genes of his unborn, second son in order to insure that he not be born with the same special needs as his first son.

REINVENTING EDEN raises complex and controversial questions about our innately human desire to give our children a better future, ultimately asking "should anything stop us from creating perfect babies?" Jonas did what he thought was right.  And now he must answer the question: "when you make the perfect baby, do you love the less-than-perfect one, less?  Ray Buffer will direct.

Performances are December 11, 12, & 13 7PM and December 14 at 2PM.  Tickets will be $25 for adults 19-64, $20 for college students with ID and seniors 65+ and $5 for youths, 18 and under.  Parental discretion is advised.

Outstanding savings can be secured by subscribing.  Subscribers have complete flexibility in choosing how to use their tickets.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.therelevantstage.com or by calling (310) 929-8129.

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About TRS: The Relevant Stage is a non-profit, 501(c) 3, public benefit corporation. EIN# 71-1-32382. TRS’ primary objectives and purposes are to promote the artistic necessity of theatre to the public; to foster theatre appreciation to youth, and to present plays, operas, musicals and mixed media performances that reflect current social issues, to the regional community.

Website: www.therelevantstage.com