LAByrinth Theater & Elephant Theatre Company Announce New Bi-Coastal Partnership

The LAByrinth Theater Company (Artistic Co-Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell, Yul Vázquez; Managing Director Danny Feldman) and the Elephant Theatre Company (Artistic Director, David Fofi; Managing Director, Lindsay Allbaugh) in Los Angeles have announced today a new bi-coastal partnership between the two acclaimed ensemble-based companies.

The partnership begins in November when The Elephant presents the West Coast premiere of The Little Flower of East Orange by Stephen Adly Guirgis, a play that premiered at LAByrinth Theater Company as a co-production with The Public Theater in 2008. At the same time, in Los Angeles, LAByrinth will present the World Premiere of Intríngulis, written and performed by Carlo Alban, a one-man show which has been developed by LAB. The partnership also includes ensemble members from both companies working closely together, participating in writing workshops, play readings and master classes.

LAB Co-Artistic Director said "We at LAByrinth are big fans of the stellar work of Dave Fofi and his ensemble of actors at The Elephant, and as an ensemble driven company ourselves, LAByrinth is excited to explore opportunities to work together with The Elephant to present and host vibrant new work and home grown theater that bridges the gap between New York and L.A."

The two like-minded companies were introduced to each other when Elephant Theatre Company artistic director, David Fofi, directed the award-winning West Coast premiere of In Arabia We'd All Be Kings by Stephen Adly Guirgis in 2006 bringing home 4 Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle Awards including Best Production and Best Writing, as well as 2 Garland Awards for Best Direction and Best Ensemble.

"The hope is that the two companies can find a home away from home with each other and bring their work to the opposite coasts" said Elephant Theatre Artistic Director David Fofi.

The Elephant is currently in rehearsals for the West Coast premiere of The Little Flower of East Orange by Stephen Adly Guirgis, an inter-generational ghost story set in The Bronx at a charity hospital, that receives its first production outside of NY. Directed by David Fofi, performances begin November 5, 2010 for a limited run through December 19, 2010 at the Lillian Theatre (1076 Lillian Way, L.A.). Tickets are available at www.elephantstages.com and go on sale Tuesday, October 19, 2010.

The LAByrinth will present Intringulis, written and performed by Carlo Alban with direction by David Anzuelo in repertory with Little Flower of East Orange. Novelist, sniper, television personality, delinquent youth. Window washer, tourist, Beelzebub, idealist youth. Vigilante, rock star wannabe, minuteman, apolitical youth. Illegal immigrant. These are the people in your neighborhood. Carlo Alban will inhabit them all, taking the stage in this solo piece. At the heart of the play is the story of Carlo's family and their move from Ecuador to the United States when Carlo was seven - leaving behind four of his older siblings - and their subsequent economic, legal and social battles. Interspersed are performances of 1960s Latin American protest songs, which speak of the political struggles and the hope for social change that have inspired artists around the world for decades.

Intringulis begins performances begin November 9 for a limited run through December 9, 2010 at the Lillian Theatre (1076 Lillian Way, L.A.). Tickets are available at www.labtheater.org and go on sale Tuesday, October 19th.

LAByrinth Theater Company (Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell, Yul Vázquez; Managing Director Danny Feldman) was founded in 1992 by a group of actors who wanted to push their artistic limits, hone their craft, and create new plays that truly reflected their experience. Today, LAByrinth is comprised of more than 120 established and emerging theater artists from a wide array of cultural perspectives. The inclusive, multicultural ensemble encourages all members to write, act, direct, and design, and supports multidisciplinary growth and exploration in the creation of daring new work that celebrates the diversity of its New York City home.