John Charles Meyer in "Same-O"

Our member John Charles Meyer (Kidnapped by Craigslist: The Graveyard Shift, bobrauschenbergamerica, Terminus Americana) is appearing in Bootleg Theater's Same-O by Ken Roht, who was our choreographer for bobrauschenbergamerica. It's part of the popular 99¢ Store Shows, and it runs through December 19th, and resumes after the holidays from January 6-30 at The Bootleg Theater (formerly The Evidence Room) 2220 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.

You can read one rave review from LA Weekly here, and other reviews, along with more show information, can be found here.

So if you have time, make plans to see part of our TheSpyAnts family at work.

Thanks!

See John Charles Meyer in "The Taqwacores"

John Charles Meyer - who is presently appearing with us in Kidnapped By Craigslist: The Graveyard Shift, and who has previously been in bobrauschenbergamerica, and Terminus Americana - is also in the feature film The Taqwacores, which opens tomorrow night in the Los Angeles area.

You can see it at either the Sunset 5 - 8000 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, or the Edwards University Town Center in Irvine.

For Sunset 5 screenings, you can buy tickets here, and here for the Edwards University Town Center.

The Taqwacores is a feature film about the Muslim punk rock scene (yes, you read that correctly), but the core of the story deals with the complexities of being young and Muslim in modern-day America. With a humble budget, a cast of unknowns, and a first-time director, the film has gone on to win festival awards around the globe and find a distributor for limited theatrical release in the US and France. The only caveat I offer is this: I have a very small role; you’ll catch me on-screen for a mere couple of minutes. But it is a bold and beautifully-crafted movie with a timely and important message. I may be a bit biased of course, but the critics agree:

“One of the Ten Best Films from Sundance 2010”
-Time Out London

“Sure to appeal to fans of Trainspotting, Fight Club, anything by Gus Van Sant...”
-Los Angeles Times

“Busting out with strong vision.”
-The Huffington Post

CB Spencer in "The Dead Matter"

CB Spencer, a guest artist who appeared with us last year in Terminus Americana, and is part of the cast for our upcoming show, Kidnapped by Craiglist: The Graveyard Shift, is part of the cast for the recently released horror film The Dead Matter.

Check out a trailer for the film here:



Link

And a behind the scenes trailer for the film here:



Link

You can find out more about the film at its website, and be sure to come see our show when it opens on October 16th.

Post show Q & A with playwright Matt Pelfrey Sunday August 9th

Just a reminder that on Sunday August 9th at 7pm, following our performance of Terminus Americana, we will have a post show Q & A with playwright Matt Pelfrey.

It is also a pay what you can show.

We'll also be up Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm. There are only six more shows, so call (323) 860-8786 and make your reservations now!

LA Times review of "Terminus Americana"

Theater Review: 'Terminus Americana' at Elephant Theater

The title of "Terminus Americana" refers to the tome of conspiracy theorem that drives Matt Pelfrey's coruscating satire. That volume is something of a Macguffin. The core focus of "Terminus" is the twilight of American empire, as refracted through a violence-infatuated media, which the jaggedly effective production by TheSpyAnts caustically embraces.

It begins benignly enough, as Mac Winchell (the excellent Brett Hren) takes a chirpy phone call from wife Brenda (CB Spencer). His confidential exchange with fellow employee Felix (Hal Perry) suggests the kind of corporate evisceration that Billy Wilder patented.

Then Felix goes on a shooting rampage, whispers a tacit message to Mac before killing himself, and "Terminus" barrels into pitch-black absurdist territory.

Pelfrey ("An Impending Rupture of the Belly") possesses an unflinchingly original voice. If the polemic can be overt, that seems the point, with the accuracy of Pelfrey's broadsides both hilarious and disturbing.

Barring some halting transitions, director Danny Parker-Lopes keeps the tone grimly akimbo. The designs are sparely resourceful, and the cast (with alternates) is adept, impressively centered by Hren's antihero. At the reviewed performance, John Charles Meyer's outré executive, Maria Tomas' secret-society emissary, and Justin Dabuet and Adam Dornbusch as hacking Marlboro Men stood out amid an accomplished pack.

Written well before Sept. 11, 2001, the play premiered at Lodestone Theatre Ensemble shortly afterward. Its relevance has only deepened in the wake of subsequent gun-related national tragedies. "Terminus Americana" won't be for everyone -- but perhaps it should be.

--David C. Nichols

"Terminus Americana," Elephant Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. Ends Aug. 15. $20. (323) 860-8786. Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Photo: Hal Perry and Brett Hren in "Terminus Americana." Credit: TheSpyAnts

Pay what you can shows and Q & A with playwright added

Our July 26th and August 2nd performances of Terminus - both Sunday nights at 7pm - will be pay what you can shows.

Also, we will have a Q & A with playwright Matt Pelfrey following our August 9th performance.

And discount tickets are still available. Click here for information on that.

So mark your calendars and call (323) 860-8786 for reservations now!

Thanks!

Promo video for "Terminus Americana"

Check it out!

Discount tickets available NOW for "Terminus Americana"

Discount tickets for Terminus Americana, opening July 17th, are available for a limited time online at the following sites:

Plays411, where codes for discounts are as follows: 007: $5 off 008: Half price 077: $5 off; LA Stage Alliance, where 1/2 price tickets are available, and Goldstar which also has 1/2 price tickets.

So make your plans now!

TheSpyAnts present "Terminus Americana" by Matt Pelfry

TheSpyAnts present the LA Premiere of

Terminus Americana

by Matt Pelfrey

directed by Danny Parker-Lopes

July 18th through August 15th at The Elephant Theatre

From the TheSpyAnts Theatre Company that brought you productions including the smash hit KIDNAPPED BY CRAIGSLIST, the award nominated THE BIRDS: A TAIL OF ORNITHIC PROPORTIONS, and the inter-active, long-running THE REUNION: EVERYTHING CHANGES, EVERYONE STAYS THE SAME, comes TERMINUS AMERICANA.

After barely surviving an office rampage, Mac Winchell is thrust into a nightmare landscape populated by lost Marlboro Men, psychotic vagabonds, sinister corporate thugs and a strange cult known as “The Church of Christ, Office Shooter.”  Mac attempts to escape this twisted reality by undertaking a quest that ultimately leads him into the darkest corners of the American Dream.  Terminus Americana is a surreal, visceral and challenging examination of our violence-saturated culture.

Playwright: Matt Pelfrey is the critically acclaimed and award winning playwright-in-residence at Furious Theatre Company.   His produced plays include Pure Shock Value, An Impending Rupture of the Belly, Cockroach Nation, Terminus Americana, Freak Storm, Honkies With Attitude, Monkey, Gore Hounds and many others. Mr. Pelfrey is the winner of the National 10-Minute Play Competition and his winning play, Drive Angry, was subsequently produced at the prestigious Humana Festival of New American Plays. He is winner of a 2007 Back Stage Garland Award for playwriting.  He has been nominated for an American Critics New Play Award, a PEN Center West Literary Award, an LA Ovation Award, and an LA Weekly Award for playwriting. 

Starring - Brett Hren

Eric Bunton*(1), Justin Dabuet, Adam Dornbusch, John Charles Meyer*(2), Marina Mouhibian, David Page, Hal Perry*(3), Matt J. Popham*(4), CB Spencer, Maria Tomas*(6), Alison Zatta*(6)

*Alternating cast

1) Performing July 24, 25, 26, Aug 1, 2, 13, 14, 15
2) Performing July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31, Aug 1, 2
3) Performing Juy 17, 18, 19, 31, Aug 7, 8, 9
4) Performing Aug 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15
5) Performing July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, Aug. 8, 13, 15
6) Performing July 26, 31 Aug 1, 2, 7, 9, 14

Terminus Americana will run at The Elephant Theatre July 18th – August 15th, 2009 with performances on Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm; including a special Thursday, August 13th at 8pm. Preview on Friday, July 17th at 8pm, tickets $10. There will be an Opening Night Gala Saturday, July 19th at 8pm with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine provided for a $30 donation. The Elephant Lab Theatre is located at 6322 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038. Street parking is available.

General admission is $20 for all performances. Group sales rates and student discounts available.
To reserve, please call (323) 860-8786 or buy tickets online at our website.

TheSpyAnts.com • PO Box 480202, Los Angeles, CA 90028 • (323) 860-8786