INTO THE TORRENT SEA

PHILIP SOKOLOFF
Publicity for the theatre
P.O. Box 94387
Pasadena, CA 91109-4387
(626) 683-9205
fax (626) 683-9172
e-mail: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2012
Press/media contact: Philip Sokoloff, (626) 683-9205

A TRUE TALE OF PIRATES: “INTO THE TORRENT SEA”; OPENS JUNE 10 AT EAST THEATRE AT THE COMPLEX

WHAT: “Into the Torrent Sea.” A Hollywood Fringe Festival entry. World Premiere.

WHO: Written by M.E. Marino. Directed by Rhonda Kohl. Produced and performed by Sandra Caruso.

WHERE: East Theatre at the Complex, 6468 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038.

WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 2012; Saturday, June 16; Sunday, June 24. All performances at 2 p.m.
ADMISSION: $15.
RESERVATIONS: (323) 455-4585.
ONLINE TICKETING: intothetorrentsea.eventbrite.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION: intothetorrentsea.blogspot.com

* * * * *
Wife, mother, prisoner, pirate queen.
Subtitled “The Lost Journal of Grace O’Malley, The Pirate Queen of Connaught,” Sandra Caruso portrays her ancestor, a successful 16th Century pirate from Ireland.
O’Malley’s tale is the true story of adventure on the high seas off the coast of Britain. Her estate and home seized by the English nobleman Governor Bingham, O’Malley makes a pact with Queen Elizabeth I that affords Grace the ability to roam the seas near England, engaging and plundering foreign vessels and discouraging invasion. The pirate queen’s decades-long seafaring career extended well into her 70s. Marriage and children were also part of her rich, full life. Grace was a pre-feminist entrepreneurial career woman who had it all. Her triumphs are made all the more extraordinary as she overcame misogyny, violence, betrayal, incarceration, and attacks on her family.

Actor Sandra Caruso has been a professor of theatre at UCLA for 25 years. She trained in New York with Sanford Meisner, Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen. She has acted and directed for many years and is the author of three books on acting. Ms. Caruso conceived the idea for this show.

Playwright Michael E. Marino, had 3 plays produced in college before settling down in his native New Jersey across the Hudson from NYC. Into the Torrent Sea is his first play to be professionally produced.

Director Rhonda Kohl, a native of North Dakota, received her MFA in Acting and Directing from Regent University. Kohl has been directing, choreographing and teaching for the stage for over 10 years. Her directing credits include numerous regional, university and children’s theatre productions across the country.

The show received staged readings at Fanatic Salon earlier this year. The current engagement marks its World Premiere.

Lighting: Clifton Manahan. Visual/Technical design: Thomas Brandon. Sound design: Kurt Daugherty. Costumes: Jackie Martinez. Set design: Tesshi Nakagawa, Chuck Olsen, Lianne Arnold. Dramaturge: Paul Clemens, Dee Caruso.

Now, get ye to the East Theatre to see the tale of the pirate Grace O’Malley, or we’ll make ye walk the plank and stow ye in Davy Jones’ locker!