Long Beach Talent Makes Splash in San Pedro

Lucas Pakes began his arts career as a dancer, training that has come in handy in directing the rapidly paced multimedia stage production, Acts of Desperation. Pakes received his BA from CSU in 2005 and in addition to performing as an actor and dancer throughout Nevada and California, he interned abroad for Mark Goucher Ltd. on London’s West End. No stranger to educational theatre and youth arts, Pakes has directed children’s theatre in Orange County and Northern California and has fostered youth arts programs in South Lake Tahoe. He now resides in Long Beach as do two of his performers: Karina Farah and Sean McElhone.

Farah is currently a theatre major at Cal State Long Beach and has appeared with Newport Theatre Arts Center and CSLUB’s Studio Theatre.
Prior to living in Long Beach, McElhone resided in Harbor City, California and overseas in Holland. He is a skilled musician and recording artist, proficient in many different stringed instruments. He has performed on stage and in film throughout California and he along with Farah hope that the stories presented in Acts of Desperation will resonate with today’s generation and be enlightening to parents and educators.

Acts of Desperation is a new theatre production that combines an adaptation for the stage of a multiple award winning documentary film with a provocative one-act play while infusing both with modern dance. The film by Roberta McMillan is Rats and Bullies: The Dawn-Marie Wesley Story, the play by William Mastrosimone is Bang Bang You're Dead, which due to its popularity with youth was made into a movie by Showtime Entertainment. "We are presenting the play" says Artistic Director and Founder of The Relevant Stage, Ray Buffer. "Our first "act" is the staged version of Rats & Bullies and our second "act" is Bang Bang..." Buffer continues, "San Pedro City Ballet will perform modern original pieces that introduce the audience to the central characters of each piece and climactic scenes. In addition video footage from the documentary film and new footage that supports Mastrosimone's work are added to give a rich, multimedia feel to the entire production.

Mastrosimone's play centers on a juvenile boy in jail for murdering five students at his school as well as his own parents. Haunted by his actions, the audience glimpses inside the mind of a school shooter as he imagines his victims demanding to know why he did what he did. McMillan's film which has been abbreviated in content and adapted by The Relevant Stage both complements and contrasts Mastrosimone's work. In Rats & Bullies, the audience learns the story of a young girl pushed to suicide by three teen girl bullies. Relational aggression and "bullycide" are terms that have erupted into the public eye since the Dawn-Marie Wesley case.

Both 'acts" focus as well on the ramifications of both young people's actions on their families and friends and the role played by the bystanders.
The Relevant Stage is based in San Pedro at Warner Grand Theatre a historic landmark that has stood since the advent of the port of Los Angeles.
Acts of Desperation will have only 4 public performances beginning on January 31 2008 and closing February 3 2008. Tickets are only $15 for adults, $10 for Seniors and College Students and $5 at all times for Youth 18 years and under. "Our youth prices also reflect our mission to engage and make accessible, theatre to teens." remarked Buffer. Tickets may be purchased in person at Sacred Grounds Coffee House, next door to the theatre, or at Williams Book Store across the street from Warner Grand Theatre. The easiest way to purchase tickets is via internet at the company's website: www.therelevantstage.com, or by phone at 310.929.8129.

TRS is offering two free matinees on January 31, 2008 and February 1, 2008 to schools and youth groups for free, by reservation only.
The Warner Grand Theatre is a 76-year-old beautifully restored arts venue in San Pedro’s burgeoning, revitalized arts district at 478 W. 6th Street, San Pedro, California 90731.

The Relevant Stage at Warner Grand Theatre
478 W. 6th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

Sally Lodge / Press Liaison - 310/929-8129

The Relevant Stage is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to presenting works that engage minds and challenge hearts by exposing relevant social issues through stimulating entertainment. The Relevant Stage appreciates the kind support of The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and its official media sponsor for its 2008 Season, San Pedro Magazine and Long Beach Press Telegram. The Warner Grand Theatre is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

This release was published on openPR.