HANA’S SUITCASE by Karen Levin and adapted for the stage by Emil Sher is a true story that begins in March 2000, when a suitcase arrived at the children’s Holocaust education center in Tokyo, Japan. On the outside, in white paint, were these words: Hana Brady, May 16, 1931, Waisenkind (the German word for orphan). Children who saw the suitcase on display were full of questions. Who was Hana Brady? What had happened to her? They wanted Fumiko Ishioka, the center’s curator, to find the answers.
In a suspenseful journey, Fumiko searches for clues across Europe and North America. The mystery of the suitcase takes her back 70 years to a young Hana and her family. Their happy life in a small Czechoslovakian town, Nove’ Mesto na Morave’, was turned upside down by the invasion of the Nazis. The play offers a view of the Holocaust and speaks of the need for an education in history. It’s appropriate for ages 10 and older with guidance.
Members of the cast range in age from 10 to 60 years. Cast members are: Marita de Lara as Fumiko, Nathan Schrodt as Akira, Claire Tigner as Maico, Abigail Williams as Hana, Rudy Buttlar as George, Chelsea Vann as Marketa, Nikolai Tereschenko as Karel, Emmalisa Randrup and Isabelle Schoenhoefer as Ludmila, Michaela, and Friedl, Trevor Yusi as Viktor Rott, Quinton Yusi as Uncle Ludvik, Alan Slabodkin as George (present day), and the ensemble that play inmates and persecutors: Giovanna Cecutti, Tarek Coleman, Olivia DeVito, Jake Donello, Caroline Field, Leo Hekma, Mikhey Krugly, Chloe Lawson, Kirra Moore, Greer Querantes, Chloe Sullivan, Raquel Temesvary, and Wally Ziegler.
HANA’S SUITCASE will be presented live on-stage Friday, May 19, through Sunday, May 21, 2017 for 6 Performances only. Student Matinee is presented on Friday, May 19 at 10:00am. Weekend Performances are 7:00 Friday, 1:00pm and 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $15 – $25 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787) x 1.
Group tickets are available by (949) 497-ARTS (2787) x 229.
The box office is open Monday – Saturday: noon to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 11am to 4:00pm (open until half hour after the start of the last show on performance days). For more information on all shows and programming visit wwwlagunaplayhouse.com. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
ALSO, YOUTH THEATRE OFFERS CLASSES THIS SUMMER:
STORYBOOK SUMMER CAMP – JUNE 10 – 20, 2017 – AGES 7 & 8
Fee: $200.00 (Early bird discount by April 30).
$225.00 starting May 1
Enrollment Limited to 12 Students
Instructors: Jean Altadel and Victoria Spelman, Bethanie Knieser
HAMILTON AND FRIENDS – MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER CAMP
JULY 10 – 22, 2017 – AGES 9 – 13
Fee: $375.00 (Early bird discount by April 30).
$400.00 beginning May 1
Enrollment limited to 18 students
Instructors: Christopher Smith, Caren Chato, Bethanie Knieser
PANTO CAMP – JULY 24 – 29 & JULY 31 – AUGUST 5 – AGES 8 – 13
Session 1: July 24 – 29, 2017
Monday – Friday – 9AM – 3PM – Showcase Performance: July 29 at 11AM
Session 2: July 31 – August 5, 2017
Monday – Friday 9AM – 3PM – Showcase Performance: August 5 at 11AM
CAMP RATE $390.00/wk Early Bird Rate now through April 30
$425.00/wk Standard Rate beginning May 1
AVAILABILITY: Space is extremely limited. Only 30 Campers per session!
ABOUT LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season.
Laguna Playhouse educational programming includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.
Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in 2016 and 2015 as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre, and has been recognized by OC Hotlist in their “Best Theatre Group” winning first place in 2017 and 2016. The Laguna Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Val Kilmer, Dan Lauria, Wendie Malick, Rita Rudner, Charles Shaughnessy, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.
Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
David Elzer
DEMAND PR
David Elzer Marketing AND Public Relations
