An 11:11 Experience’s
ELEVATOR
Returns to Los Angeles in Special Limited Engagement Run
Michael Leoni’s celebrated play opens at The Coast Playhouse
in West Hollywood on March 25
(Los Angeles, CA February 23) The hit play ELEVATOR, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and playwright Michael Leoni, returns to Los Angeles for a special limited engagement at The Coast Playhouse (8325 Santa Monica Blvd.) in West Hollywood. The cast features Devon Werkheiser (Nickelodeon’s “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”), William Stanford Davis (Showtime’s “Ray Donovan”), Deborah Vancelette (FX’s “Terriers”), David Abed (Blue Man Group), Karsen Rigby, Erica Katzin and Kristina St. Peter. The creative team includes scenic and lighting designer David Goldstein (Off Broadway’s Soul Doctor, Stalking the Bogeyman, Ghostlight) and original music and sound designer Mario Marchetti (who has collaborated with such artists as Demi Lovato, JoJo, Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, among many others). ELEVATOR begins previews on March 23 and will open on Saturday March 25, through Sunday, April 30, 2017.
When seven strangers—a CEO Woman, Business Man, Office Temp, Hot Girl, Musician, Maintenance Man and Goth Girl—get stuck in an elevator, it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. When forced together, given nothing but four walls and each other, these archetypes prove to be anything but ‘typical.’ Their preconceived notions, stereotypes and judgments are challenged at every turn, as one by one, they shed their masks and reveal their truths. Laced with musical sequences and cinematic style, ELEVATOR is a comedic and emotional ride into the human psyche and asks the fundamental question: who are you behind closed doors?
“ELEVATOR is ultimately about connecting audiences, connecting each other’s differences—something much needed in today’s state of the world,” said writer and director Michael Leoni. “We were overwhelmed by the response we received when we premiered the play in 2010, and are thrilled to be bringing it back to inspire Los Angeles.”
Written and directed by Michael Leoni, ELEVATOR is based on the original short film Someplace In Between (an Official Selection of the 2009 LA Shorts Film Festival). The play originally premiered at the Hudson theaters during the first annual Hollywood Fringe Festival. After a wildly successful run, the smash hit expanded to the Hudson Mainstage Theatre and then the Macha Theater, receiving 11 nominations including “Best New Work” from Broadway World as well as “Critic’s Choice” and “Best Bet” from the Los Angeles Times. Michelle Kaufer and Laura Hill produce the new engagement. The creative team also includes Ovation Award-winning costume designer Michael Mullen (Celebration Theatre’s The Boy from Oz, DOMA Theatre Company’s Dreamgirls) and makeup designer Linda Michaels.
Single tickets are now available for $40. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit plays411.com/elevator or call (323) 960-7787. Ticket prices subject to change. No late seating will be accommodated.
About the Director/Writer:
Michael Leoni has always committed himself to creating and directing original material that can reach beyond the scope of traditional entertainment, challenge an audience’s beliefs, and motivate a movement for positive change. His production of ELEVATOR, L.A.’s smash hit, returns after rave reviews and sold-out audiences. The show garnered the esteemed Los Angeles Times’ “Best Bet” and “Critics’ Pick,” as well as earned 11 nominations including “Best New Work” from Broadway World. Leoni also wrote and directed The Playground (a rock music-infused piece inspired by the lives of homeless kids), which continued to run at least once a year for five consecutive years. The Playground is now in development as a feature film. He directed the one-woman show, Listen, Can you Hear Me Now, which was acclaimed at the New York International Fringe Festival and won “Best of Fringe” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. New York theater credits include directing the Off-Broadway production of the New York Fringe hit rock musical, Loud as well as writing and directing Enigma and Deviants.
Most recent film credits include writing and directing the award-winning feature documentary, American Street Kid—Official Selection and Winner of the People’s Choice Award at The Beloit International Film Festival and Official Selection and Winner of the Social Impact Doc Award at The Hollywood Film Festival—and most recently Leoni received the Award of Excellence from the Impact Docs Awards. Other credits include the short films Radford Rd., Deliver Us, Disappear Here, Spare Some Change and Someplace In Between, an Official Selection in the LA Shorts Film Festival. American Street Kid will be released in theaters Fall 2017. Leoni is also the founder of Spare Some Change, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless youth. Presently he is in production on his new feature film #WhenTodayEnds, and has just completed the writing of his new book “Dare To Be Bad,” currently available on Amazon.com.
About the cast:
David Abed (Business Man) is pumped to be back in the Los Angeles theater scene. In 2016, he played the lead in the Hollywood Fringe Festival show Sex. He has also been performing murder mystery dinner theater in Hollywood for the past three years. His television credits include: FX’s “Feud,” “Game Shakers” on Nickelodeon, “True Nightmares,” “My Crazy Ex,” and “Days of our Lives,” as well as numerous national commercials. David also went blue Off-Broadway in The Blue Man Group. His first job ever as a child was as a magician at Red Lobster, and he has a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan.
William Stanford Davis (The Maintenance Man) Born and raised in St. Louis, Davis is a veteran of both stage and screen, with over 70 television and film credits. He recently appeared on hit series “Code Black” and “Chicago Med” and also recurs as Potato Pie on Showtime’s Golden Globe-winning series “Ray Donovan” and as Mr. Kym on OWN’s “If Loving You Is Wrong” from creator Tyler Perry. His upcoming films include Please Stand By starring Dakota Fanning and Toni Collette, Handsome starring and directed by Jeff Garlin and So B It starring Alfre Woodard. On stage, he appeared in the play Cages written by Leonard Manzella and directed by Jon Rivera at the Matrix, and is working with Manzella on a feature adaptation. He was honored in 2006 with an Ovation Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in August Wilson’s Fences, and in 2004 he performed in the musical North on South Central, which won five NAACP Theatre Awards. Other theatre credits: The Anteroom (also for the Actors Studio), the Circle West Production of Legacies at The Matrix (written and directed by the late John Bishop) and the world premiere of Two Ships Passing at the Pan Andreas Theater in Hollywood. In addition to acting, Davis has directed a number of productions including Lawrence Fishburne’s play Riff Raff, “Shame” at the Elephant, and The Old Settler at the Pico Playhouse. In a career that had many outstanding highlights, Davis earned an Emmy Award in 2002 as part of the cast of Rasheen Crawley’s “The Movement.” He is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio.
Erica Katzin (The Temp) grew up a Los Angeles native. She spent her formative years studying theater and majored in Theatre Arts and History at Whittier College. She continued to study theatre at Santa Monica College, and the 3rd Street Rep. Her favorite theater roles include: Sera in The Playground, a Rock-Drama inspired by the lives of teenage runaways and homeless kids, also written and directed by Michael Leoni, Lady Brucknell in The Importance Of Being Earnest and Puck in A Mid Summer Night’s Dream. Film credits include: Someplace in Between, Signed, Soulled and Delivered, Period Movie, Web Cam Murders, Baseball Girls and Deliver Us. As a singer she has performed all over Los Angeles singing with various bands at clubs and bars throughout Hollywood, including performing with Bruce Langhorne (the original Tambourine Man), and has been a featured vocalist on several different albums. Outside of her work in the theater she most recently produced the feature documentary American Street Kid and is currently filming the feature film #WhenTodayEnds.
Karsen Rigby (Hot Girl) is returning to ELEVATOR to as Hot Girl, a role she originated six years ago. Karsen moved to Los Angeles at the age of 15 after being accepted into a performing arts high school for music and theater. Furthering her education, she received a fine arts degree from Loyola Marymount University. Aside from performing in ELEVATOR, she stays busy modeling and will be shooting a movie with director Michael Leoni later this year.
Kristina St. Peter (Goth Girl) makes her Los Angeles theater debut in An 11:11’s ELEVATOR. Kristina has focused on film and television since moving to Los Angeles five years ago and is currently studying in the Master Class at Anthony Meindl Studio. She will appear in Michael Leoni’s feature length film #WhenTodayEnds coming to theaters later this year
Devon Werkheiser (Musician) is a musician and a working actor since the age eight. He found success at a young age with Nickelodeon’s “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” and ABC Family’s “Greek.” Devon made the rounds guest starring on “Criminal Minds,” “Major Crimes,” “Memphis Beat,” “Franklin & Bash,” among many others. He starred in movies Sundown, Bad Sister, and Beneath The Darkness. As a musician, he has released the “Prologue,” “Here and Now” and “I Am” EPs.
Deborah Vancelette (CEO Woman) is returns to ELEVATOR, playing the amazing role of CEO Woman, a role she originated in the premiere of the play which ran for 10 months in 2010 and 2011. Deborah began her professional acting career in Knoxville, TN where on her first feature film audition, she landed the lead role. Shortly after, Deborah made the move to Los Angeles. Since arriving, she has appeared in television shows such as FX’s “Terriers,” “Broken Toy,” Showtime’s “Sleeper Cell,” “Veronica Mars” and “Point Pleasant;” and independent films like In the Dark, Out of These Rooms and Career Suicide, and regularly appearing in TV commercials such as Lowes, US Bank, Verizon, AirTran Airway, IHOP and Petsmart to name a few. She is also very excited to be working on a role in the film #WhenTodayEnds which is currently in production.
About An 11:11 Experience:
An 11:11 Experience was conceived from the idea that theatre and film has the capacity to create connection, encourage compassion, engage audiences and inspire social change. We focus on developing powerful stories and compelling characters that encourage people to see the world from another point of view. From powerful documentaries to inspiring narratives and innovative theatre, we are committed to producing work that’s brave, provocative and significant.
TICKET INFORMATION:
What:
Elevator, written and directed by Michael Leoni
Coast Playhouse
West Hollywood, CA 90069
When:
March 23 – April 30, 2017
March 23 – 24, 2017 (Previews)
March 25, 2017 (Opening Night)
Performance Schedule: Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8pm & Sundays at 3pm
Tickets:
Single tickets: $40 (prices subject to change)
Online – Plays411.com/ELEVATOR
Phone – (323) 960-7787
Social:
@ELEVATORthePlay on Twitter
@ELEVATORthePlay on Instagram
