Hailed as one of the “hippest, hottest, most innovative theatre troupes in the U.S.”, by American Theatre Magazine, Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE) presents the National premiere of THE MYSTERIES, an original adaptation by Edward Kemp for the Royal Shakespeare Company. SOSE is the first intimate theatre to radically re-stage the entire cycle in a 30-seat space, utilizing environmental seating arrangements and experimental lighting and sound special effects. Accompanied by heightened language, the ensemble of 12 multi-ethnic actors imaginatively portrays nearly every character from the Old and New Testament. THE MYSTERIES will run from May 13 through July 17 – playing in two parts -- at Son of Semele in Silver Lake.

Call it divine intervention, THE MYSTERIES investigates the human qualities within the divine and the divinity which is present in humanity. According to acclaimed director Michael Nehring, "THE MYSTERIES are a rich source of myth and storytelling on the largest possible scale. The Creation and Passion stories are tightly woven into our western culture and I believe they deserve a fresh staging that allows for diverse readings of their lessons.” In Nehring’s innovative staging, God and angels will hover over the audiences’ head. The audience will also “drown” along with the other sinners in Noah’s Tale. Making use of poles and catwalks, “we’re using every inch of our theatre, from top to bottom, side to side,” says Nehring.

Nehring, known for his work as an actor with Shakespeare Orange County, is also Chair for the Department of Theatre and Dance at Chapman University. The esteemed cast includes Hillary Bauman, Elizabeth Clemmons, Tegan Ashton Cohan, Sharyn-genel Gabriel, Dawn Hillman, Kyle Ingleman, Edgar Landa, Matthew McCray, Søren Oliver, Darryl Ordell, Anthony Powell, Natalie Sander, Jonathan C.W. Williams and Diana Wyenn. The production is stage managed by Barbara Kielhofer, with set and lighting design by Paul R. DeDoes, props and puppets created by renowned mask maker Deborah Bird, costume design by Jennifer Kirschman, musical direction by Ryan Poulson and dramaturgy by Barbara Kallir.

SOSE was featured on the cover of the December 2004 issue of American Theatre Magazine and in the Winter/Spring 2005 issue of TheatreForum Magazine for its production of Carlos Murillo’s A Human Interest Story. SOSE was also recently recognized with an NAACP Theatre Award for Best Choreography (four nominations – including Best Ensemble Cast) for its 2004 production of The Tower. In 2003, SOSE won two LA Stage Alliance Ovations Awards [Best Musical-Small Venue and Best Director-Musical] for their 2002 production of Animal Farm. SOSE is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

The 5-hour presentation of THE MYSTERIES will be presented in two parts: Part 1: The Creation and Part 2: The Passion. Performances are Friday (Part 1) and Saturday (Part 2) at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday (Part 1) at 2:00 P.M. and (Part 2) at 7:00 P.M. There will be no performances on Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends. (Warning: There is nudity in Part 1 of THE MYSTERIES).

Admission is $20.00 for each part. $25.00 combo-tickets, which include admittance to both Parts 1 and 2, are offered through May 1. Tickets are available exclusively at www.sonofsemele.org or at the box office prior to show times. For more information, call (213) 351-3507. Son of Semele is located in Silver Lake, 1 mile west of Alvarado, at 3301 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004.

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