SCI-FEST, the 1st Annual Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival, is in progress through June 1. Funded by a successful Kickstarter appeal, the goal is “to produce a beautifully realized, visually compelling festival of terrific new work featuring many well-known actors from your favorite Sci-Fi franchises.” (Link: http://www.sci-fest.com/)
Some of those actors who are participating in the inaugural festival are:
- TIM RUSS (Star Trek: Voyager) plays “General Lackluster” in “A-LI-EN THE FAMILY”
- DAVID BLUE (series regular on Stargate:Universe) as “David” in “Forwarding Address”
- Tony-Winner, L. SCOTT CALDWELL (Lost) takes the role of “She” in “THE WIFE’S STORY.”
- DEAN HAGLUND (The X-File”) is “Hollis” in “KALEIDOSCOPE”
- DAVID H. LAWRENCE, XVII (“Heroes”) is “The Announcer” in “A-LI-EN THE FAMILY”
- MADISON McLAUGHLIN (recurring on Supernatural) plays “The Messenger”) in “Forwarding Address”
Two of the one-act plays are by sf stalwarts. The festival offers the first-ever stage adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s tale of transformation, “The Wife’s Story.” There is also a new revival of Ray Bradbury’s chilling “Kaleidoscope.”
Sci-Fest is on stage at The Acme Theater, 135 N. La Brea Ave, Hollywood. There are two slates of one-act plays, plus miscellaneous comedy events.
EVENING A: Tuesday May 6-11; Tuesday May 20-25
FORWARDING ADDRESS by John-Paul Nickel. Four friends receive a disturbing message from an even more disturbing messenger. Directed by Jack Kenny (Warehouse 13). Cast — Carmen: Angeline Rose Troy; David: David Blue; Tina: Julie McNiven; Mike: Greg Duke; The Messenger: Madison McLaughlin.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH by Adam Esquenazi Douglas. A political prisoner and his automated captor struggle for ultimate control. Directed by Jon Kroll (Amanda & the Alien). Cast — The Patient: James Kyson; The Voice: Pauley Perrette.
THE RINGER by Minnesota Plates. The survivors of an alien invasion strike a horrifying bargain to stay alive. Directed by Jim Fall (Trick). Cast — Edward: David Dean Bottrell; Max: Jakob Wedel.
KALEIDOSCOPE. Sci-Fest presents an innovative revival of Ray Bradbury’s visionary and timeless classic. Seven astronauts’ routine mission turns deadly when their craft is destroyed, leaving them adrift in space. A terrifying, poignant masterpiece by one of the Grand Masters of Sci-Fi. Directed by Pat Towne (Frank Zappa’s Joe’s Garage). Cast — Hollis: Dean Haglund; Stone: Rico E. Anderson; Stimson: Frederik Hamel; Applegate: Philip Anthony-Rodriguez; Lespere: Patricia Tallman; Barkley: Sheetal Gandhi; Woode: Alex Rapport; 1st Boy: Zachary Haven; 2nd Boy: Murphy Towne
EVENING B: May 13 -May 18; May 27- June 1
FOR THE LIVING by Chie-Hoon Lee. A young woman awakens after a terrible accident to discover she’s not quite the person she was before. Directed by Rob Hollocks (The Watcher). Cast — Kara: Sarah-Jane Dalby; Ethan: Tyler Vickers; Varley: Alan Polonski.
THE WIFE’S STORY by Ursula K. Le Guin. A distrustful wife follows her mate into the woods only to discover a far darker secret than she ever imagined. Directed by Philippe Mora (The Howling II & III). Cast — She: L. Scott Caldwell.
TELL ME WHO YOU SEE by Scott T. Barsotti. A young widow finds that her grief has opened a portal through which something resembling her dead husband is trying to return. Directed by Jeff Liu (Yellowface). Cast — Anne: Angela Lin; Lily: Camille Mana; The Mass: West Liang.
SMOOTH LANDINGS by Soren Kisiel. An office meeting is called to determine what direction the company should take now that the entire world has been destroyed. Directed by Jane Morris (Behind the Candelabra). Cast — The Boss: Bruno Oliver; Smith: Matt Doherty; Evie: Lilly Holleman; Adams: Jeff Gum.
A-LI-EN THE FAMILY by Michael Bernard. A pair of star-crossed lovers (from different planets) create havoc in a small town in this hilarious “live” radio play. Directed by Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons). Cast — Narrator: David H. Lawrence, XVII; Bobby / Gleep / Pettigrew: Ron Morehouse; Marilyn: Jasika Nicole; General Lackluster: Tim Russ; Spitznerggle: Erich Lane; Splaka: Armin Shimerman; Bizamzibot: Nelson Ascencio.
COMEDY EVENTS: May 9-11; May 16-18
LAUGH TREK: A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT REAGAN
SHOCK AND AWWW
FUTURE BOYFRIEND
MAY 23 -25
IMPRO THEATRE’S: TWILIGHT ZONE UNSCRIPTED
MAY 30 – 31
ALIEN ABDUCTION: DEAN HAGLUND’S ONE-MAN X-FILES EPISODE
The Sci-Fest Advisory Board members are: René Auberjonois, Actor, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dean Haglund, Actor, The X-Files, Jack Kenny, Exec. Producer, Warehouse 13, Eddie McClintock, Actor, Warehouse 13, Philippe Mora, Film Director, Communion, The Howling II & III, Nichelle Nichols, Actor & Icon, Star Trek, Jaime Paglia, Series Creator, Eureka, Mitch Peleggi, Actor, The X-Files, Allison Scagliotti, Actor, Warehouse 13, Mark Stern, Independent Producer, Jason Weisberger, Publisher, Boing Boing, Wil Wheaton, Actor, Icon, Star Trek: TNG, Adrienne Wilkinson, Actor, Xena, Warrior Princess.
SCI-FEST, the 1st Annual Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival, is now offering $15.00 “NERD RUSH” tickets. Show up at the box office and if there are seats available, you can get in for $15. Early arrival is highly recommended.
