Monday, May 23, 2016

Unbound Productions Brings History Lit: A Festival of Timeless Stories to the Pasadena Museum of History

Wicked Lit creators stage works adapted from iconic 19th & 20th century authors as an immersive, fully-produced theatre event throughout the grounds of the Fenyes Mansion & Museum Exhibition Halls

Unbound Productions Executive Director Jonathan Josephson, Artistic Director Paul Millet, and Producing Artistic Director Jeff G. Rack have announced their newest immersive theatre event – HISTORY LIT: A Festival Of Timeless Stories (July 9-31, 2016) at the Pasadena Museum of History. Unlike it’s award-winning cousin Wicked Lit, HISTORY LIT will present stage adaptations of timeless literature that reflect history in creative ways (and not Gothic tales of classical horror).

HISTORY LIT 2016 will feature two of the three plays that were presented as a part of the first-ever HISTORY LIT production at PMH in 2012 – Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Two Pictures In One and Katherine Mansfield’s The Garden Party – and will also feature a third piece that is yet to be announced. The plays will be fully produced inside the Curtin House (a guest house on the grounds of the mansion), throughout the lush gardens all around the museum, and inside the Museum where the exhibit Flying Horses and Mythical Beasts: The Magical World of Carousels is currently installed. Visit www.historylit.org for details.

“We are beyond excited to return to the Pasadena Museum of History and to be able to revisit the grounds as well as our plays,” said Rack. “We have brought on new directors and will have new cast members in new locations that will give the entire event new life and new energy. Folks who saw our show in 2012 will be treated to a new experience, and those that missed the show that year – well now is your chance!”

Said Josephson, “When HISTORY LIT was first presented in 2012, Unbound Productions was a young theatre company with only three fully produced events to its name – though very well received, only 700 people attended HISTORY LIT that year. Now, Unbound Productions is an Ovation Award-winning, highly regarded immersive theatre company that has produced 25 world premiere plays (many of which have gone on to productions with other companies) and some of the most highly regarded site-specific work in the region. More than 15,000 people have attended Unbound events since its inception in 2008. Wicked Lit has sold out every year since 2013.”

Said Millet, “After four years away, we are thrilled to be able to present our second History Lit production in Pasadena, with an incredible and enthusiastic partner. We have been planning this for many months and can’t wait to jump back in!”

PMH Executive Director Jeannette O’Malley said, “History Lit shines a spotlight on Pasadena Museum of History’s historic Mansion and grounds in a fresh and exciting approach that combines our cultural heritage with classic literature and engaging theatre.”

The production team includes Unbound’s Resident Costume Designer Christine Cover, the Ovation Award Winning design team (Wicked Lit 2014) sound of Drew Dalzell and Noelle Hoffman, and Jeff G. Rack (Production Designer). Additional production staff as well as cast and stage managers for HISTORY LIT 2016 will be announced in June.

HISTORY LIT audiences will experience three 25-30 minute events as they are led through the Museum gardens and exhibition hall. This is a moving, walking show – patrons must be able to comfortably walk a minimum of 1,000 paces, stand for 15 minutes at a time and climb stairs in order to experience the production. Visit historylit.org for complete pricing and scheduling details.

The Plays

The Garden Party
By Jonathan Josephson
Directed by Aurora Long
Adapted from the short story of the same name by Katherine Mansfield

It is an ideal night for a party at the Sheridan estate and young Laura has had the time of her life playing hostess to a throng of party guests. But when an unexpected accident befalls a stranger who lives down the road, Laura’s congenial life may be changed forever.

Two Pictures in One
By Paul Millet
Directed by Darin Anthony
Adapted from the short story “The Two Altars: Or Two Pictures in One” by Harriet Beecher Stowe

A simultaneous chronicle of the lives and fates of two early Massachusetts families: the Wards, an 18th Century Anglo family living during the early days of the American Revolution and the Caffeys, a 19th Century African-American family living ten years prior to the Civil War. By juxtaposing these two points in time, Two Pictures in One examines ideas of freedom and personal consequences.

Venue and Tickets:

July 13-31, 2016
All performances will start at 7:00 p.m.
13 Performances Only!

July 9-July 10
July 14- July 15 & July 17 (No performances on July 16)
July 21- July 24
July 28- July 31

All performances take place at Pasadena Museum of History (470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena). Parking is free on site (please read street signs carefully!)

Tickets range from $40-60.

Visit HistoryLit.org for complete pricing and scheduling details. Concessions will be available for purchase at the venue. Visit pasadenahistory.org for parking information.

About Unbound Productions

Founded by Jonathan Josephson, Paul Millet, and Jeff G. Rack, the mission of Unbound Productions is to create immersive adaptations of classic literature as a way of reimagining great stories for new audiences. With its flagship theatre festivals Wicked Lit, History Lit and Mystery Lit, Unbound takes pride in engaging in ambitious storytelling and creating surprising and impactful theatrical experiences.

About HISTORY LIT

The focus of History Lit is to bring a new life to great literature that reflects history in creative ways. In 2011, the inaugural History Lit reading series was produced in conjunction with Pasadena Museum of History and features works by great women writers of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Performances took place at the Museum as well as private readings at Los Angeles-area schools. In 2012, these plays will be presented in a full production on the grounds of the Museum and the Fenyes Mansion. The flash poetry performance Charles Bukowski: Back at Barney’s, in conjunction with the City of West Hollywood, Barney’s Beanery, and PST… It All Started Here, made a splash in February 2012 as History Lit’s spontaneous debut.