Central Works Theatre Ensemble - Production History

NIGHTINGALE

A collaboratively developed play
Written and Directed by Gary Graves

Show opened February 9th, 2001 and ran through March 4th at La Val's Subterranean in Berkeley.

Cast included: Rica Anderson, Louis Parnell* and Jan Zvaifler.

*appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association

Two sisters. One man. Unspeakable acts. There aren't any nightingales in Southern California, but there are unspeakable acts, desert highways to carry away the casualties, and Plymouth dusters to bring them back.

Central Works' new play is a contemporary retelling of the Greek myth of Philomela. This ancient tale of betrayal and revenge has been retold over the ages by Ovid, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and Sam Shephard.

Now, returning after ten years to the performance venue where the company began, Central Works takes is own pass, presenting the Kings of Van Nuys as they confront their intimate disasters over the course of a savory family meal.

"...A stunning 'Nightingale': One of the most demanding and electrifying plays to come down the pike this early in the 2001 season. "
--Jack Tucker, Contra Costa Times

"The end is stunning, leaving the audience in dark silence for long seconds before the lights come up for the curtain call...Nightingale, written and directed by Gary Graves, culminates in a wholly moving theatrical experience. "
--ibid

"Central Works Theater Ensemble presents Gary Grave's dark and intriguing melodrama...the adept and committed performances develop the action for all it's worth. "
-- Robert Avila, San Francisco Bay Guardian

"...A harrowing drama of sexual abuse and recovered memory, interwoven with Southern California-style apocalypse... "
-Cullen Gerst, Express