Joseph lends historic portrayal to ‘A Vast Hoard’

Chalk Rep Theatre and Natural History Museum of LA County Opens GALLERY SECRETS
Originally posted by Broadway World

In conjunction with the Natural History Museum of L.A. County’s 100th Anniversary, Chalk Repertory Theatre will premiere GALLERY SECRETS, four new short plays commissioned by four Los Angeles playwrights performed after hours at the Natural History Museum.

Each play is inspired by an assigned gallery in the museum and set in the time period when that gallery was built, uncovering 100 years of history, architecture and exhibits. Audience members will be divided into four groups and will be guided through the four galleries to see each play, ending the evening with cocktails in the main foyer.

GALLERY SECRETS is performed after hours at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, presented by Chalk Repertory Theatre.

September 21, 22, 27, 29
October 5, 6, 11 and 13 at 7PM

In the 1913 Rotunda – A VAST HOARD by Tom Jacobson

Directed by Janet Hayatshahi – Featuring: Amy Ellenberger, Joseph Gilbert, Rod Menzies and Melina Bielefelt

On the eve of the museum’s opening, civic leader Harris Newmark attempts to take back the portraits of himself and his wife that he has donated to the museum’s director.

In the 1929 African Mammal Hall – SKINS AND BONES by Ruth McKee

Directed by Andrew Borba – Featuring: Joel Gelman, Keiana Richard and Katherine Sigismund

Two young paleontologists, Hildegarde Howard and Henry Anson Wilde, navigate an exhibit hall’s worth of misunderstandings to establish their real-life romance.

In the 1978 Gem & Mineral Hall – UNDER THE GLASS by Zakiyyah Alexander

Directed by Jeff Wienckowski – Featuring: Tony Amendola, Blaire Chandler and Brian Johnson

Marie struggles to understand why her husband, a retired Colonel, has taken such an interest in collecting specimens of Gems and Minerals.

In the present day Dinosaur Hall – PROM SEASON by Boni B. Alvarez

Directed by Jennifer Chang – Featuring: Angel Felix, Justin Huen, Morgan Pavey and Marie Ponc

It’s Prom Night at the Natural History Museum, and a teenager and her boyfriend slip away to have sex, only to be discovered by a security guard who has seen this all before.

Chalk Repertory Theatre is dedicated to presenting classical and contemporary plays in unconventional spaces around Los Angeles County and most recently presented the world premiere of MOMMUNE by Dorothy Fortenberry and Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library.For more information about Chalk Rep, visit the theatre online at www.chalkrep.com or call 323-379-9583.