PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fullerton Public Relations & Marketing, Theatre and Dance Department
(657) 278-­‐2434 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CSUF INVITES AUDIENCES TO SPEND THE
NIGHT IN JAIL WITH HENRY DAVID THOREAU
“If the law is of such a nature that it requires you to be an agent of injustice to another,
then I say, break the law,” wrote Henry David Thoreau. The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail by
Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee is a poignant drama that explores Henry David Thoreau’s
historic act of civil disobedience. The show runs November 7–23, 2014 in the Young Theatre on
CSUF’s campus.
In The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, American author and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau is
thrown in jail for refusing to pay taxes in 1846. His refusal to pay taxes stemmed from the United States
government’s involvement in the Mexican War, which he opposed. From a Massachusetts jail cell,
Thoreau recalls events from his life as a young man that explore his philosophies. Written and first
produced in the 1970’s during the Vietnam War, the play can be viewed as a work of protest. In 1970,
The New York Times reviewer Howard Taubman stated “This play and its protagonist, though they are
of the 19th century, are speaking to today’s concerns: an unwanted war in another land, civil
disobedience, the interdependence of man and nature, education, the role of government and the
governed.” The play’s strong themes of individuality and rebelling against authority have appealed to
audiences all around the world and have strong political overtones in light of recent events in Hong
Kong, Egypt, and throughout the Middle East.
The plays of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee have been translated and performed in
thirty-two languages throughout the world. They earned many of the most prestigious awards in the
theatre, including the Donaldson Award, Variety Critics Poll, and the Lifetime Achievement Award
from the American Theatre Association. They were involved in both the academic and professional
theatre scene. Mr. Lawrence served on the Board of Directors of the American Conservatory Theatre,
the National Repertory Theatre, the Writers Guild of America, and the Authors Guild of America. He
served as master playwright at New York University and also co-founded the American Playwrights
Theatre along with Mr. Lee. Robert E. Lee was an adjunct professor of playwriting at UCLA for almost
twenty years and served on the Executive Writers Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences.
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is helmed by CSUF’s head of directing, Mark Ramont.
Mr. Ramont has worked professionally as a director, artistic administrator and educator at theatres such
as Circle Repertory Theatre (NYC), Ford’s Theatre (Washington, DC), the Alley Theatre (Houston), the
Hangar Theatre (Ithaca, NY), Capitol City Playhouse (Austin) and others. He has directed world
premiere productions of Dalton’s Back, Walking the Dead, Mad River Rising and The Colorado
Catechism, among others. He is a recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation Statuette Award, as well as
multiple Austin Theatre Critics’ and Austin Circle of Theatres Awards.
The cast of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail includes Kyle Anderson as Henry David Thoreau,
Victoria Sasso as Lydian Emerson, Tamara Veres Vailant as Mother Thoreau, Sean Casey Flanagan as
John Thoreau, Alexander Burt as Bailey, Tyler Cass as Deacon Ball, Jackie Summers as Ellen Sewell,
Sean Ellner as Sam Staples, Chet Lewis/Jack Lewis as Edward Emerson, and Marqell Clayton as
Henry Williams. The ensemble includes Sarah Garcia, Zachary Peterson, Vincent Laddaga,
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
P.O. Box 6850, Fullerton, CA 92834-6850
The California State University: Bakersfield / Chico / Dominguez Hills / East Bay / Fresno / Fullerton / Humboldt / Long Beach / Los Angeles / Maritime Academy
Monterey Bay / Northridge / Pomona / Sacramento / San Bernardino / San Diego / San Francisco / San Jose / San Luis Obispo / San Marcos / Sonoma / Stanislaus
PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fullerton Public Relations & Marketing, College of the Arts
(657) 278-­‐2434 / FAX (657) 278-­‐5942 Amanda Burch, and Kyle Pazdel.
Scenic Design is by Ashley Strain, Lighting Design is by Max Weisenberger, Costume Design is
by Christina Marie Perez, Sound Design is by Francis Gacad, and Hair/Makeup Design is by Amanda
Zukle.
Soon to follow in the season is The Tony Award-winning musical, Kiss Me, Kate, based on
Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew. The show runs November 21–December 14, 2014 in
the Little Theatre on campus. The creative team includes director Jeremy Lewis in association with
professional director/actress Eve Himmelheber, musical direction by Mitchell Hanlon and choreography
by William F. Lett. I Hate Men, Always True to You (In My Fashion) and Brush Up Your Shakespeare
are just a few of the classic Cole Porter hits from the 1948 musical.
The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail plays at 8pm on November 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 and
at 2pm on November 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. General admission tickets are $11 ($10 with advance Titan
Discount purchase for students, seniors or with a CSUF ID). All tickets are $11 at the door. Tickets are
available by calling (657) 278-3371, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Online, tickets are available
at: http://www.fullerton.edu/Arts/theatredance/events.html
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
#1
(Left to Right) Sean Casey Flanagan as John Thoreau, Jackie Summers as Ellen Sewell and
Kyle Anderson as Henry David Thoreau in Cal State Fullerton's
The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail, directed by Mark Ramont,
playing November 7-November 23, 2014 in the Young Theatre on the CSU, Fullerton campus.
Photo by Sierra Doria. For additional information, a season brochure or tickets,
call (657) 278-3371, Monday through Friday, 11am-5pm.
#2
(Left to Right) Sean Casey Flanagan as John Thoreau and Jackie Summers as Ellen Sewell in
Cal State Fullerton's The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail, directed by Mark Ramont,
playing November 7-November 23, 2014 in the Young Theatre on the CSU, Fullerton campus.
Photo by Sierra Doria. For additional information, a season brochure or tickets,
call (657) 278-3371, Monday through Friday, 11am-5pm
PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fullerton Public Relations & Marketing, College of the Arts
(657) 278-­‐2434 / FAX (657) 278-­‐5942 Press & Media Contacts:
Jim Volz, Professor of Theatre and Dance, [email protected]
(657) 278-3538
Julie Bussell, Director of Marketing and Patron Services, [email protected]
(657) 278-2434.
CALENDAR LISTINGS FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGES
PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fullerton Public Relations & Marketing, College of the Arts
(657) 278-­‐2434 / FAX (657) 278-­‐5942 Calendar Listings:
KISS ME, KATE
Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter • Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack
Directed by Jeremy Lewis with Eve Himmelheber
Musical Direction Mitchell Hanlon • Choreography William F. Lett
LITTLE THEATRE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
November 21, 22, December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 at 8pm
November 23, December 6, 7, 13, 14 at 2pm
SMASH
by Jeffrey Hatcher • An adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s
An Unsocial Socialist • Directed by Dr. Joseph Arnold
HALLBERG THEATRE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
February 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, March 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, at 8pm
February 22, 28, March 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 2pm
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
by William Shakespeare • Directed by Eve Himmelheber
YOUNG THEATRE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
March 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 8pm
March 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 at 2pm
LOOSE ENDS
by Michael Weller • Directed by Mark Ramont
HALLBERG THEATRE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
March 27, 28, April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 8pm
March 29, April 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 at 2pm
PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fullerton Public Relations & Marketing, College of the Arts
(657) 278-­‐2434 / FAX (657) 278-­‐5942 SPRING AWAKENING
Music by Duncan Sheik • Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Adapted from Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening
Directed by Richard Israel
Musical Direction Mitchell Hanlon • Choreography William F. Lett
YOUNG THEATRE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
Contains Adult Content
April 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, May 1, 2 at 8pm
April 19, 25, 26, May 2, 3 at 2pm
SPRING DANCE THEATRE
Coordinated by Gladys Kares
LITTLE THEATRE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
April 30 & May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 at 8pm
May 3, 10 at 2pm