Evento

Johnny: The Shell

THE SPEAKEASY SOCIETY TAKES AUDIENCES INTO THE TRENCHES OF WWI WITH THEIR NEW IMMERSIVE PRODUCTION THE JOHNNY CYCLE: PART II - THE SHELL STARTING JULY 21st.

A countdown to the impact that destroyed his body, The Johnny Cycle: PART II - The Shell explores the fragmented mind of a soldier trapped in wartime memories of the trenches. Loosely inspired by Dalton Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun," Part II - The Shell puts the audience directly in the action, moving through a complex web of characters and convictions.

Following last years production of THE JOHNNY CYCLE: PART I - The Quick and the Dead, (LA Weekly's Best of 2015 list) The Speakeasy Society continues Johnny's journey in a new immersive show opening in July 2016 at St. Marks Episcopal Church (1020 N. Brand, Glendale). The Gothic architecture functions both literally and subversively to envelop the audience in the mind of Johnny creating both the foreign and familiar.

Julianne Just, co-director of THE JOHNNY CYCLE explains how The Speakeasy Society tackles the complex world of Trumbo's story. In The Shell, the character of Johnny is trapped in his own private purgatory, teetering on the brink of oblivion - caught in a cycle of memory, anger, regret and violence - counting down to the moment where it all went wrong. We want the audience, like Johnny, to grapple with questions of choice, nationalism and responsibility.

Co-director Genevieve Gearhart adds, This piece is both a continuation and a stand-alone production. If you saw Part I, you will continue Johnny's journey as he discovers his injuries and relives moments from the war. But, if you're new to this story and our work, Part II offers a unique and complete experience.

The performance will be presented at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Glendale. Admission is limited. There will be no late admittance. The running time is estimated to be about 75 minutes, but performance lengths may vary.

Please note--the performance requires audience mobility. The audience will be asked to walk, kneel, and/or stand throughout. The production also uses a strobe light effect and will feature some loud and sudden sounds. It is intended for audiences of 14 years of age and older.