Press Release for Helltown Buffet


For immediate release!

Rude Guerrilla presents the World Premiere of HELLTOWN BUFFET September 19! Rude Guerrilla Theater Company is pleased to announce the World Premiere of playwright Aurelio Locsin’s black comedy HELLTOWN BUFFET as the ninth production in its eleventh season. Can a Hometown Buffet manager and his hunky demon seducer fall in love through their real and imagined histories? This dark comedy propels them from Orange County to several afterlives, prompting encounters with a sexy demoness, a fabulous stylist, bewildered tribesmen, and talking trees. The production is directed by the playwright. PLEASE NOTE: This production is for mature audiences and is not for children.

The production opens Friday, September 19, 2008 and runs thru Saturday, October 18 for 14 performances at 202 N. Broadway, in Santa Ana. Show times are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm., with Sunday matinees @ 2:30 p.m. beginning September 28th. And one Thursday performance on Oct. 16 @ 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors and an inexpensive $10 for students with an ID. Opening champagne gala is $25.

“Hometown Buffet” is one of my favorite places to eat, even without the 99-cent coupon,” says playwright/director Locsin. “During one of these food orgies, I noticed how a huge number of larger-than-normal people left uneaten food on their plate, which the servers promptly threw away. I thought, wouldn’t it have been better to give all that food to hungry and homeless people? When I asked the employees, it turns out it was against health department regulations.

Those images put together produced the opening buffet scene in one inspired sitting. That scene remained a stand-alone short without dialog until I took it to the playwriting class of East-West Players in Los Angeles, where playwright/instructor Prince Gomolvilas advised his students to write the first scene of the play and then continue with the ending of the play before filling in the remaining scenes.That unusual technique produced the script for this production.

People who specialize in such things will find all kinds of symbolism, social commentary, and educational messages in HELLTOWN BUFFET, but my main goal was to create something fun and entertaining for the audience. If anything more than that comes out, it’s a happy accident.”

The cast of nine includes RGTC members Alexander Price (last seen in CHAIR) and R.J. Romero (last seen in CLOWNZILLA). Returning is Frank Aranda (last seen in THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS), Trina Estanislao (last seen in MAN OF LA MANCHA), Adam J. Ferry (last seen in THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS), and Rick Kopps (last seen in NOCTURNE). Making their debut on the Rude Guerrilla stage is Ashley Jo Navarro, Brian Chayane Salero, David Tran and Maggie Zamora.

HELLTOWN BUFFET’s choreography is by Assistant Director Lee Samuel Tanng, Costumes are by Sarah Boros, Lighting Design is by Ryan Joyner, Sound and Projection Design by Aurelio Locsin, and Stage Manager is Brenda Kenworthy.

If you'd like to arrange an interview with the cast or director, or want more information, reservations or complimentary press passes, please call 714-547-4688, send us an email at Rudegrrlla@Aol.com or visit Rude Guerrilla’s website at http://www.rudeguerrilla.org/.

Announcing the cast and crew of Helltown Buffet

Helltown Buffet
by Aurelio Locsin

Can a Hometown Buffet manager and his hunky demon seducer fall in love through real and imagined histories? This dark comedy propels them from Orange County to several afterlives, prompting encounters with a host of fantastic characters and unreal situations. ADULT LANGUAGE AND SITUATIONS.

Show runs September 19 - October 18:

  • Fri-Sat evenings at 8pm
  • Sun matinees at 2:30pm on Sept 28, Oct 5, and Oct 12
  • One Thursday evening show at 8pm on Oct 16

Rude Guerrilla Theater Company. 202 N Broadway, Santa Ana, CA. 92701. (714) 547-4688. http://www.rudeguerrilla.org/.

CAST

David Tran as Benjie
Brian Chayane Salero as Paco
Maggie Zamora as Madame
Rick Kopps as Grom
Alexander Price as Etienne/Tree
Trina Estanislao as Spirit
Frank Aranda as Garbanzo/Carlos
Adam J. Ferry/R.J. Romero as Frog/Ensemble
Ashley Jo Navarro as Cloud/Ensemble

CREW

Aurelio Locsin - Director/Sound Designer
Brenda Kenworthy - Stage Manager/Props
Lee Samuel Tanng - Choreographer/Assistant Director
Ryan Joyner - Lighting Designer
Sarah Boros - Costumer
Gerson Cortes - Production Assistant/Board Op
Danny-Doan H. Nguyen - Production Assistant/Board Op
Stu Eriksen - Set Builder
Jami McCoy - Stunts
Anthony Foo - Fabrications
Danny Crisp - Auditioner