LUV

LUV
Murray Schisgal
Directed by Alan Barkan
April 23 through May 23, 2009

"a stellar comedy" — The Berkeley Daily Planet

"It's always fun - and even a little transgressive - to see how the same love triangle works with a different gender configuration" — East Bay Express

LUV rotation schedule Heart over mind, mind over body. This is the age-old story where one partner falls out of love with their current and in love with their wanna-be-current and schemes to painlessly shift currents. Actors Ensemble of Berkeley presents twisted takes on a twisted story, but—we promise!—you won't have to be twisted to watch (although it makes identification all the easier). Of course, there'll also be laughs, and on three different nights, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you can laugh each time—as if it's the first time! Because, with the blessings of the author Murray Schisgal, Actors Ensemble proudly stages three unique versions of LUV; a Straight LUV, a Lesbian LUV and a Gay LUV. Is one LUV really LUV!? You've got to see all three.

LUV will be performed Thursdays through Saturdays over a five week run starting Thursday, April 23rd, with the final performance on Saturday, May 23rd. Each version will be performed one night each week, with the order rotating over the five weeks. Which means you won't have an excuse to not see all three. And we promise you'll have many reasons to want to see all three. Check the rotation schedule. All performances begin at 8:00 pm.

And remember, LUV, no matter how dark, is still LUV!

Download the program

Download the poster

Download the postcard

Downloads for members only.

Cast

The Gay Version
Harry Berlin	Harold Pierce
Milt Manville	Stanley Spenger
Elliot (Ell) Manville	Federico Edwards

The Lesbian Version
Harriet (Harry) Berlin	Stacy Sanders
Melissa (Mel) Manville	Catherine Lerza
Ellen (Ell) Manville	Crystal Bush

The Straight Version
Harry Berlin	Eric Carlson
Milt Manville	Benjamin Grubb
Ellen (Ell) Manville	Danielle Martino

Crew

Director	Alan Barkan
Associate Director	Eric Carlson
Lighting Designer	Jeremy Cole
Set Designer	Norman de Veyra
Stage Manager	Jose Garcia
Producer	Jennifer Rice
Costume Designer	Helen Slomowitz
Light & Sound Operator	Jennifer Rice
Props	Jennifer Rice
	Jose Garcia
Publicity	Eric Carlson
	Jerome Solberg

Download high resolution photo Harriet (Stacy Sanders), Ellen (Danielle Martino), and Elle (Crystal Bush) look for love among the betrayals, suicide attempts, and infatuations in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's grand experiment with Murray Schisgal's dark comedy "Luv." Opens April 23rd through May 23rd, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, "Luv" features (by special permission from the author) three casts rotating the play's gay, lesbian, and straight love triangles each week. All performances are 8pm at Live Oak Theatre. Tickets are $12 or $10 for seniors/students (w/ I.D.). To order tickets, go to www.aeofberkeley.org or call for reservations at (510) 649-5999. Photo by Eric Carlson.

Alan Barkan (left) directs 2008's "Barefoot in the Park" at Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. His latest production, Murray Schisgal's "Luv," opens April 23rd and runs through May 23rd, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. By special permission from the author, "Luv"'s three casts will rotate, performing the play's gay, lesbian, and straight love triangles each week. All performances are 8pm at Live Oak Theatre. Tickets are $12 or $10 for seniors/students (w/ I.D.). To order tickets, go to www.aeofberkeley.org or call for reservations at (510) 649-5999. Photo by Eric Carlson.
Download high resolution photo

Download high resolution photo Elle (Crystal Bush), Harriet (Stacy Sanders), and Ellen (Danielle Martino) are just some of the cast members in the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's grand experiment of 3 different casts exploring love, betrayal, and suicide atop a lonely bridge in Murray Schisgal's dark comedy "Luv." Opens April 23rd through May 23rd, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, "Luv" will be performed (by special permission from the author) with the multiple casts rotating each week as the gay, lesbian, and straight love triangles. All performances are 8pm at Live Oak Theatre. Tickets are $12 or $10 for seniors/students (w/ I.D.). To order tickets, go to www.aeofberkeley.org or call for reservations at (510) 649-5999. Photo by Eric Carlson.

View the press release.