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A Public Fit Theatre Company (APf) presents the second mainstage show of its 11th season with True West, Sam Shepard’s iconic portrait of two seemingly disparate brothers struggling for power, identity, and authorship in the wild remoteness of the California desert. The show opens at the SST Studio Theatre, 4340 S. Valley View Blvd., on Friday, February 7, and runs for 4 weeks through March 3
“You’re right to use the word ‘iconic’,” says APf Associate Artistic Director Jake Staley, who directs the show. “It truly embodies Shepard’s voice as a playwright. He’s never better than when writing about family. And True West does that with a violent energy that’s masterful, exploring the fractured reality of the American Dream through the bombastic relationship of these two brothers.”
e’s not the only one excited to be working on the show. Staley explains, “When I first approached the two lead actors about casting, they each responded with the exact same phrase, ‘Are you effing kidding me?!’ Sure, the language was a little harsh, but it felt like we’d started the play already!”
Set in the desert kitchen of a California ranch home, True West is the story of a tense sibling battle that blurs the thin line between creation and destruction. The play follows Austin, a successful screenwriter, and his brother Lee, a drifter and petty thief, as their lives collide in a battle of wills and ambition. As their feud over a developing screenplay spirals into chaos, they’re forced to confront the blurred lines between their markedly separate personalities.
“If you’ve ever wondered how you managed to end up with the family you have,” says Staley, this is the play for you!”
True West features the talents of Valerie Carpenter Bernstein, Wilam Fleming, Benjamin Loewy and Ryan Ruckman.
Immediately following each performance, audiences are invited to join the cast and production staff in a moderated discussion of the themes and discoveries presented in the play. This APf hallmark—The Buzz—ensures that the conversations surrounding captivating theatre are shared by the community. The Buzz is an expression of A Public Fit’s ongoing commitment to engage audiences well beyond the limits of the stage. “It’s a great opportunity to pick a side,” says Staley, “The play really makes you feel for the destructive nature of the creative process!”
APf offers a seven-show season consisting of four staged readings and three mainstage productions. APf’s upcoming shows for the 2024-25 season are: Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson; NSFW by Lucy Kirkwood; References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot by José Rivera and The Cold Buffet by Elijah Young.
Ticket prices are $45 for General Admission, with special pricing available for Students, Seniors, and active Military personnel. For more information regarding A Public Fit Theatre Company, including upcoming performances and ticketing, click here.
