June 26, 2004 - F.LL.W. - The Tragedies and Triumphs of Frank Lloyd Wright

The 2004 Marin County Fair makes local history dramatic and truly engaging by presenting the only Bay Area appearance and Bay Area debut of The Tragedies and Triumphs of Frank Lloyd Wright, an enthralling theatrical presentation written and performed by John Crowther. This dynamic one-man show reveals the compelling drama of Frank Lloyd Wright's life and displays the many facets of Wright's character. We meet the public figure, the visionary artist, the misunderstood genius, and the doting son. Frank Lloyd Wright himself tells his story, challenges misperceptions and shares his dreams.

The show is so engrossing you will find yourself believing it is really Wright upon the stage. Crowther struts across the stage with white hair escaping from his beret, as did Wright in his later years, giving us a glimpse of what Wright may have looked like and sounded like during his work on the Marin County Civic Center. Skillfully directed by Willard Simms, Crowther's performance brings Frank Lloyd Wright back to life before your eyes.

The 2004 Marin County Fair brings The Tragedies and Triumphs of Frank Lloyd Wright to Marin audiences for a special engagement with performances twice daily in the 340-seat Showcase Theatre, at 2 and 7:30pm. The evening performance will be the full 90-minute theatrical presentation of the show. The afternoon performance will run 30 minutes and include a "meet the architect" session following the show, where you can ask a question of Mr. Wright. Entrance to the performance is free with your paid Fair admission on a first-come, first-seated basis.

At the age of 14, John Crowther met architect Frank Lloyd Wright and was so impressed, he thought he would become an architect. Now an actor/writer, Crowther took a slightly different career path than the one he anticipated at 14, but he continues to pay homage to Wright and his architecture onstage.

The Tragedies and Triumphs of Frank Lloyd Wright "...provides a knowledgeable introduction to Wright and his work...his fans and admirers should be delighted," says the LA Weekly. Educational and entertaining, it is topical, timely, and relevant..."like being in the drafting room sitting at the feet of my grandfather," says Eric Lloyd Wright, grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The show offers insight on Wright's legacy in Marin County, his inspiration and the public's reaction to his work. Crowther has researched Wright's 1950's Marin County presentations and incorporated Wright's actual words from those presentations into the performance. The show also takes us to Wright's Taliesin drafting room where he lived and taught. It takes us into the depths of Wright's despair when facing family tragedy. And it reveals the ego of the man who chose "honest arrogance" over "hypocritical humility." It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the legendary architect in an intimate and thoroughly entertaining way.

Need a break from the depressing news? Feel like your hard-earned money is being drained for war, death & taxes? Channel your energy & finances into the cultural side of life and join Los Angeles' top theatre talents as they celebrate a day of arts, history & education in the City of Angels!

Theatre of Will is proud to announce a special performance of

F.LL.W.
THE TRAGEDIES & TRIUMPHS OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

at the
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART!!

SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2003; 2PM
MOCA @ CALIFORNIA PLAZA
$20 PERFORMANCE ONLY
$50 WITH CATERED GALA ARTS RECEPTION
INFO/TICKETS: 818-345-0700

Following the performance you'll participate in a gala arts benefit while revisiting the 1920's era of downtown Los Angeles. Hear Sophie Tucker (as channeled by the inimitable Mary Jo Catlett) sing "Some One of These Days"! Let Langston Hughes (Wilson Bell) thrill you with a cool jazz rendition of his poem "Boogie Woogie Rumble Of A Dream Deferred" and listen to the wit and style of Anton Chekhov (dramatically portrayed by Nick Salamone). Enjoy the sultry tones of Judy Garland (belted out by Amanda Abel) or have a cocktail with flapper queen Zelda Fitzgerald (Elizabeth Karr)! View photographs of the famous Orpheum Theatre, the Bradbury Building, and the original opening of Los Angeles City Hall on display at:

Help support the preservation of the arts and history in LA by being part of this exciting event-you'll be happy you did!

Presents

The Play:A controversial new one-person play about American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, whose lover and friends were murdered by one of Wright's employees in a house of Wright's own design. The story examines Wright's life, from personal adversities and professional set backs to design innovations and major architectural achievements. Critics Pick - Backstage West; Recommended - L. A. Times.

Playwright/Actor: John Crowther earned critical review and awards for his acting in Einstein: A Stage Portrait [written by F.LL.W. director, Willard Simms], a one-man play about Albert Einstein that Crowther performed in Los Angeles, off Broadway and in Europe. His success in Einstein inspired Crowther to pen a script about his childhood hero, Frank Lloyd Wright. In Italy he directed the Italian-language premiere of his own play, Affective Memories, about the relationship between two great Russian directors, Constantin Stanislavski and Vsevolod Meyerhold.

Director: Willard Simms has worked as a playwright and/or director at such theatres as the Denver Center Theatre, the Long Wharf Theatre, the New Orleans Repertory Theatre, The Edinburgh Arts Theatre, the Southwest Theatre Conference, the BACA Downtown Theatre, and Off-Broadway at the American Jewish Theatre. He is the author of 11 published plays.

Producer: Theatre of Will, a non-profit educational production company, was founded in 1998 by playwright Willard Simms and co-producer Rania Pallad to foster the integration of arts, history and education. Recent productions include the critically acclaimed Lenny's Back (Ovation nomination, Best World Premiere script), and Wright From America, which was invited to the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina, and won the Juneteenth National Playwriting Competition in Kentucky in 2002.

Opens: Sunday, March 2 2003 at 7:30 pm
Runs: Wednesday at 8 and Sunday at 7:30, throughout March
Closes: Wednesday, March 26th
Tickets: $18 general admission; senior and group discounts available
Reservations: (818) 345 0700
Location: Fremont Centre Theatre
                 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena
                  2 blks W of Fair Oaks 1 blk S of Mission; corner El Centro &                   Fremont
Press Contact: Rania Pallad, (818) 345-0700

The Play: A controversial new one-person play about American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, whose lover and friends were murdered by one of Wright's employees in a house of Wright's own design. F.LL.W. [The Tragedies & Triumphs of Frank Lloyd Wright] examines Wright's life, from personal adversities and professional set backs to design innovations and architectural achievements to his outrageous comments about American popular culture.

Playwright/Actor: John Crowther earned critical review and awards for his acting in Einstein: A Stage Portrait [written by F.LL.W. director, Willard Simms], a one-man play about Albert Einstein that Crowther performed in Los Angeles, off Broadway and in Europe. His success in Einstein inspired Crowther to pen a script about his childhood hero, Frank Lloyd Wright. Early readings of the play were done at the Wright-designed Freeman House in Los Angeles in conjunction with USC. In Italy he directed the Italian-language premiere of his own play, Affective Memories, about the relationship between two great Russian directors, Constanin Stanislavski and Vsevolod Meyerhold.

Director: Willard Simms has worked as a playwright and/or director at such theatres as the Denver Center Theatre, the Long Wharf Theatre, the New Orleans Repertory Theatre, The Edinburgh Arts Theatre, the Southwest Theatre Conference, the BACA Downtown Theatre, and Off-Broadway at the American Jewish Theatre. He is the author of 11 published plays.

Producer: Theatre of Will, a non-profit educational production company, was founded in 1998 by playwright Willard Simms and co-producer Rania Pallad to foster the integration of arts, history and education. Recent productions include the critically praised Lenny's Back (about comedian Lenny Bruce) and Wright From America which was acclaimed as one of the top productions at last year's National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Cast: John Crowther as Frank Lloyd Wright

Opens: THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2002, at 8:00pm
Runs: Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Closes: Thursday, September 12 2002
Tickets: $15 general admission; senior and group discounts available
Reservations: (323) 856-4200
Location: Hudson Avenue Theater, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
Press Contact: Rania Pallad, (818) 345-0700