LAFPI

Open Fist Theatre Company opens its 30th anniversary season with three programs of short works, performed in rotating repertory, by playwrights renowned for pushing the boundaries of theatrical invention. Rorshach Fest, featuring seminal work by John O’Keefe, Daniel MacIvor, Harold Pinter and Caryl Churchill in three separate programs, or Inkblots.

According to Open Fist artistic director Martha Demson, “Whether looking at an inkblot or watching a play from one of the iconic playwrights we are featuring, both reveal truths beneath the surface, truths that reflect the perspective of the viewer as much as the content provided by the playwrights.”

Inkblot C  includes two plays by Caryl Churchill. This Is A Chair, directed by Martha Demson, juxtaposes momentous news headlines with scenes of everyday life to sometimes funny, sometimes chilling effect. Churchill’s short play about the surreal nature of modern life was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in 1997 as part of the London International Festival of Theatre. Here We Go, directed by Son of Semele artistic director Matthew McCray, is an unsentimental exploration of the final stages of life and the mysterious moments that follow in the great unknown. As a small group of acquaintances assemble at a funeral to recount what they remember about the deceased, he has already begun a new chapter in the after-life. The two plays utilize the same cast: Megan Brotherton, Emma Bruno, Carmella Jenkins, Schuyler Mastain, Debba Rofheart, David Shofner, Casey Sullivan, Alexander Wells and AlgeRita Wynn — with the addition of Neil Oktay and Steven Rosenbaum in This Is A Chair, and Alberto Isaac in Here We Go.

“These plays excite because they engage in unexpected ways and they only work live,” says associate artistic director Amanda Weier. “They are quintessentially theater because the audience experience is the event. Everyone will experience the ride in their own way, and that’s exactly the point and exactly why these plays are so much fun.”

Inkblot A features Ghosts, written and directed by legendary new theater-maker/playwright/monologist John O’Keefe. Inkblot B is made up of two one acts:  Harold Pinter’s Landscape, directed by Christopher Cappiello; and Never Swim Alone, written by Daniel MacIvor and directed by Amanda Weier.

The Rorschach Fest creative team includes scenic designers Jan Munroe (Inkblots A and B) and Jim Spencer (Inkblot C); lighting designer Matt Richter; sound designer Tim Labor; and prop master Bruce Dickinson.

Inkblots A, B and C will each perform twice per week on a rotating schedule; for a detailed performance schedule, check the website at www.openfist.org.

Inkblot C previews Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Feb. 12

Opening Sunday Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m

Playing  Fridays at 8 p.m.: Feb. 28, March 20
Saturdays at 4 p.m.: Feb. 29, March 21
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Feb. 22, March 14,  April 4
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: Feb. 23, March 15
• Sundays at 7 p.m.: Feb. 16, March 8, March 29
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Feb. 17, March 9, March 30