Photo Flash: GROUP: A MUSICAL Premieres at the LA Theatre Ensemble

Dr. Allen believes in two things: the power a group has to heal itself and the power of music. What begins as an awkward experiment in musical group therapy evolves into a clash of hearts and minds as the group struggles to find just a little bit of inner peace. In his seemingly altruistic efforts to dig into the inner workings of his clients, it becomes clear that Dr. Allen has his own deep dark secrets. With songs in an indie and folk rock vein that range from passionate and personal to anthemic, Group: a Musical is at once hilarious and devastating, infuriating and moving...a story where you can find yourself and the light at the end of the tunnel.

Presented by the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble, Group: A Musical is written by Adam Emperor Southard with music by Adam Emperor Southard and Josh Allan Dykstra, directed by Richard Tatum, with scenic design by Jim Sudik, sound design by Chris Moscatiello, lighting design by Sasha Venola, costume design by Danika Sudik, featuring Isaac Wade, Trevor Algatt, Melissa Collins, Caroline Sharp, Evan Martin, Michael Hanson, Brooke Baldwin. Group: A Musical is produced by Tom Burmester, and Danika Sudik.

Adam Emperor Southard's childhood consisted of two things: performing in musicals and playing the piano. As a child actor, Adam stared in countless productions including the original stage production of Young Rube by John Pielmier. As a pianist, Adam released his first CD of original pieces at the age of 16. Adam has spent the last decade working as a professional writer, actor and photographer in Los Angeles. Group is his first produced play that includes songs he wrote over the past ten years and new pieces he has written with his songwriting partner Josh Allan Dykstra.

The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to staging theater works of high artistic integrity while endeavoring to remain broadly accessible and genuinely entertaining. The ensemble holds fast in its commitment to strike a balance between providing a venue for emerging artists and veteran artists; between the works of new playwrights, and revisiting timely and important
classics.

The Powerhouse Theatre is housed, appropriately enough, in the Powerhouse, a historical building originally erected in 1910 for the Southern California Edison Electrical Plant for the city of Santa Monica. Committed to nurturing innovative new work, the Powerhouse has introduced Los Angeles audiences to critically-acclaimed world premieres such as the multiple award-winning The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World; the scathingly funny The Family Room by Aron Coleite; Golden Prospects: A Los Angeles Melodrama by Colin Campbell; and A Series of Comedic Lectures with John Lehr. The Powerhouse was named Best Historical Theatre in LA Weekly's Best of LA 2010 and is currently nominated for Theatrical Venue of the Year in the 2010 Broadway World Awards.

Tom Burmester, founder and Producing Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble and Managing Artistic Director of the Powerhouse Theatre, has produced over 20 productions for the stage including Wounded and Survived by Tom Burmester, Kindred by Daniel Keleher, I Gelosi and The Heretic Mysteries by David Bridel, Monkey Madness by Daisuke Tsuji, Quixotic by Kit Steinkellner and The Water Engine by David Mamet. Tom earned his MFA in Directing from the University of California, Los Angeles, and moonlights as the Performance Manger of the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets for preview performances are $10. See www.latensemble.com for details.

The Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 2nd Street in south Santa Monica, just off Main Street between Rose and Marine. Guests in wheelchairs should call in advance to make arrangements. For information, the public should visit www.latensemble.com.