COSTA MESA — South Coast Repertory brings you a theatrical adventure from a finalist for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize — the world premiere of “You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!” by Keiko Green.
Directed by Zi Alikhan, the play runs April 5 to May 3 on the Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Dr. in Costa Mesa,
Green’s status as a Blackburn Prize finalist for “You Are Cordially Invited …” illustrates that she is one of the country’s most celebrated and rising playwrights. The prize is the largest and oldest award recognizing women and non-binary writers for plays of outstanding quality written for the English-speaking theatre. Eleven finalist playwrights have gone on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“In this genre-defying comedy about family, death, grief and ultimately life, Keiko Green casts a spell of deep theatrical magic,” read the statement announcing the nomination.
“You Are Cordially Invited …” was featured at the 2024 Pacific Playwrights Festival, where its “epic, darkly comedic spectacle,” as Green called it, captivated audiences. It serves as an anchor production for this year’s PPF, May 2-4.
“It’s an irreverent, impossibly complicated, impossibly human and ridiculously theatrical comedy with a devastating underbelly,” SCR Artistic Director David Ivers said. “Making cancer and the Earth’s decay somehow funny, managing the large emotional load carried by all the family — and other characters — that surround the dying Greg and having it all end in a rave of sorts is no small feat.
“And yet, Keiko manages all that while creating characters who are real people and who represent a diverse population. It’s a world premiere not to be missed.”
Take your seat for a comic, irreverent celebration of life! Since Greg’s terminal diagnosis, he’s felt a deep connection to the Earth — and to save himself, he’ll need to save the planet. Viv desperately wants to savor every last minute with her husband. Meanwhile M, our emcee, searches desperately to find meaning in the chaos of their final year with Dad.
“You Are Cordially Invited …” addresses topics universal to everyone: family, humanity and celebrating life through the concept that you only live once. It spotlights Green’s comedic gift of bringing out humor in situations audiences least expect to find it. It’s a play perfect for our times — where we ask ourselves if the world is moving too fast.
“It’s fun and funny, but the events that take place and the spectacle part is what gets you. I’m trying to get people to laugh a little at things they’re not supposed to,” Green said.
“As Orange County’s only Tony Award-winning theatre, South Coast Repertory is deeply committed to bringing our community great plays that invite us to join together and reflect on our shared responsibility to each other,” said SCR Managing Director Suzanne Appel. “Keiko Green’s brilliant play was written for this moment in time when we, like her characters, are navigating a rapidly changing world.
“I know that our community will see in this family a joyful approach to that familiar challenge. It is a play that calls on us to celebrate our time on Earth with those closest to us and to deeply engage with society and the world.”
The Playwright
With The San Diego Union-Tribune calling Green “one of the most prolific and whip-smart emerging playwrights around,” this is the perfect opportunity to see a new work from a fresh, exciting playwright.
A Los Angeles-based playwright, screenwriter and performer known for her dark comedies and irreverent takes on various elements of Asian and American life, Green’s work has been produced all over the U.S., including The Old Globe, Seattle Public Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, Sound Theatre Company, Theater Mu and Actors Express.
Her plays have been developed by the prestigious O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, The Kennedy Center, The National New Play Network, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Playwrights Realm, Atlantic Theater Company and The Old Globe, and she currently holds commissions from Manhattan Theatre Club/Sloan Foundation and Seattle Children’s Theatre/Kennedy Center.
Green’s second production of “Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play” just wrapped up at San Francisco Playhouse and the world premiere of Green’s “Empty Ride” just ended its run at The Old Globe.
Earlier, Green won the San Diego Critics Circle Best New Play Award for “Exotic Deadly” and the Gregory Award for Best New Play for “Nadeshiko.” The Gregory Awards recognize the top productions and performances in Seattle theatre.
Her television credits include “Interior Chinatown” for Hulu.
Originally from the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Green has a BA in drama from NYU/Tisch and an MFA in playwriting from UC San Diego.
The Cast
“You Are Cordially Invited …” features Joel de la Fuente (Greg), River Gallo (M), Rafael Goldstein (Will/others), Anna LaMadrid (Lila/others), Sharon Omi (Janet/others) and Alysia Reiner (Viv).
De la Fuente makes his SCR debut after touring across the country in Jeanne Sakata’s one-person play about civil rights hero Gordon Hirabayashi, “Hold These Truths,” which earned him the 2018 Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role from Theatre Bay Area.
He appeared in two award-winning streaming shows: Netflix’s “Hemlock Grove” and Amazon Prime’s “The Man in the High Castle,” and was a series regular on “Space: Above & Beyond,” “Devils” and “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.”
Omi returns to SCR after her hilarious role as Elishiva in “Galilee, 34” by Eleanor Burgess last spring. She has appeared in plays at Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, East West Players and Playwrights’ Arena, among many others.
Omi’s recent credits include “My Home on the Moon” at San Francisco Playhouse, “The Great Wave” at Berkeley Repertory, Tales of Clamor at USC, and “No No Boy” and “Innocent When You Dream” at L.A. Theatre Works.
She won a Out on Film Festival Award for her role in the film “Eat with Me.” Omi’s recent TV credits include “I Think You Should Leave,” “Young Sheldon,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” “General Hospital,” “Maggie,” and “The After Party,” among many others.
Tickets are now on sale and range in price from $35 to $114, with additional discounts available for educators, seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased online at www.scr.org or by phone at (714) 708-5555. More information is available at www.scr.org.
Showtimes and Special Events
Previews: April 5-10. First night: April 11. Regular performances: April 12 – May 3, Sunday at 2 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 8 p.m.
Running time: Approximately 100 minutes with no intermission. Recommended for ages 16+.
Actor Conversations with members of the cast: Wednesday, April 16, and Thursday, April 24.
Community Conversation, a presentation and discussion surrounding a theme specific to play: Sunday, April 27.
Inside the Season: Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Led by members of SCR’s literary staff, this lively 90-minute session includes in-depth interviews with cast members and artists from the production staff, revealing secrets and offering insights into the play. Tickets are $14 and may be purchased in advance or at the door.
ASL-interpreted performance: Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located near the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway. Parking is available on Park Center Drive, off Anton Boulevard.