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What are the songs of birds and men? 24th Street Theatre, the company that produced Walking the Tightrope to universal acclaim on its stage, on tour and, most recently, for CTG at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, presents the second production of its LAb24 resident experimental theater company. The U.S. premiere of Man Covets Bird by Finegan Kruckemeyer opens on September 26 at 24th Street Theatre in downtown L.A.
A man befriends a fallen bird, and together they confront life. Once again, 24th Street artistic director Debbie Devine transforms a deceptively simple tale into a compelling, poignant and humorous theatrical experience. ...Read More
What are the songs of birds and men? 24th Street Theatre, the company that produced Walking the Tightrope to universal acclaim on its stage, on tour and, most recently, for CTG at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, presents the second production of its LAb24 resident experimental theater company. The U.S. premiere of Man Covets Bird by Finegan Kruckemeyer opens on September 26 at 24th Street Theatre in downtown L.A.
A man befriends a fallen bird, and together they confront life. Once again, 24th Street artistic director Debbie Devine transforms a deceptively simple tale into a compelling, poignant and humorous theatrical experience. Man Covets Bird, starring Andrew Huber and Leeav Sofer, is an irresistible mix of storytelling, live music and animation that will enchant kids – and deeply touch their parents. “Birdsong when you least expect it,” thrills the man (Huber).
“This is a piece that is kid-friendly, yet filled with profundity – about adolescence, the transition to adulthood, loss of youth and the true meaning of love,” says 24th Street executive director Jay McAdams. “It’s important to present children with sophisticated work that digs deeply. This kind of theater is rarely available to families in this country. We live in a culture that doesn’t believe in challenging kids emotionally.”
“The underlying theme of this production is that you can't help whom you fall in love with,” Devine explains. “If you can summon the courage to share that secret, your ‘song’ can change the world around you.”
24th Street Theatre’s driving vision is the creation of a national conversation about how to move theater for young audiences forward with groundbreaking, serious work. That dialogue was kick-started with Walking the Tightrope (Los Angeles Times “Critic's Choice,” numerous "Best of 2013" lists and winner, 2013 award for Outstanding Production from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle). Now, the discussion continues with Man Covets Bird.
“Our fictional children are not allowed to face the hurdles and heartaches – the sadnesses – that their real life contemporaries (so importantly) do,” wrote Kruckemeyer in an article. “A tragic circumstance can in a narrative journey be quite the opposite of a negative: it can in fact be a call to arms.”
Inspired by John Lurie’s painting of the same title, Man Covets Bird was commissioned by Australian theater company Slingsby from a concept by Andy Packer. The first performance took place at the Space Theatre as part of the 2010 Adelaide Festival of Arts. Kruckemeyer’s play was the recipient of the 2010 Ruby Award for Best New Work and the 2010 Adelaide Theatre Guild Award for Best Show. It has since been produced at the Sydney Opera House; the Arts Centre, Melbourne; and the Country Arts SA Regional Festival and Conference in Goolwa. The Sunday Mail lauded it as “family theater with a depth that speaks to any generation.”
Man Covets Bird opens for press on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m., continuing through Nov. 22 on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. (dark Oct. 24 – Nov. 1). Four preview performances take place on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $24 for adults; $10 for kids under 16; $15 for students, seniors and teachers; and $2.40 for residents of the theater’s surrounding North University Park neighborhood. 24th Street Theatre is located at 1117 West 24th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007 (at the intersection of 24th and Hoover). Secure parking is available for $5 in the lot on the southwest corner of 24th and Hoover. The theater is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (213) 745-6516 or go to www.24thstreet.org. Man Covets Bird is best enjoyed by adults and kids 7 and up.
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