Flow "Downriver" on the North Coast Rep stage!

Hold on tight as North Coast Repertory goes Way Downriver! The play, adapted by Edward Morgan from William Faulkner's short story "Old Man", is making its West Coast premiere under the direction of David Ellenstein. Way Downriver will flow from April 13th - May 8th in Solana Beach. 

The year is 1927 and a spring flood like no other of the Mississippi River creates for the audience an edge-of-your-seat adventure. The river floods from Cairo, Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico, killing hundreds and leaving more than half a million people homeless. Two unlikely pair of souls, bound together by the forces of nature, struggle to overcome their fears and prejudice in order to survive their distressing experiences. This exciting West Coast premiere is one you won't want to miss!

So what is Faulkner's short story "Old Man?" As it turns out, "Old Man," is less of a short story and more like half of a novel. Faulkner published his novel If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem (originally titled The Wild Palms), in 1939. The novel contains two interwoven stories called "Wild Palms" and "Old Man," a love story and a river story. The first chapter of the novel starts with "Wild Palms" and ends with "Old Man," with the stories alternating chapter by chapter. The book was also translated into Spanish by writer Jorge Luis Borges as Las Palmeras Salvajes in 1940, which went on to influenced many leading Hispanic American novelists.

Along with his adaptations of Faulkner, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and George M. Cohan, Edward Morgan has also written both original and cabaret shows. His adaptation Way Downriver premiered at Alabama Shakespeare Festival in February 2014 under the name Twenty Seven. Before coming to North Coast Rep, the play was also shown at the Utah Shakespeare Festival for its New American Playwrights Project in August 2013 and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival for it's Southern Writer's Project in May 2011. Morgan was the Associate Artistic Director for six years at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

Ellenstein is a veteran of over 250 theatrical productions, with about 30 productions at North Coast Rep. He was previously Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company. He joined the North Coast Rep family as Artistic Director in 2003.

Over 30 years ago, North Coast Rep made its debut in the heart of San Diego. This non-profit company, located in Solana Beach, is one of the area's leading performing arts organizations. The theatre holds performances year-round to over 40,000 people. This season marks its 34th, with just two shows left after Way Downriver. Hedda Gabler, directed by Ellenstein, and Ain't Misbehavin', directed by Yvette Freeman, will conclude this year's exciting season.

The shows begins Wednesday, April 13th and will play until Sunday, May 8th, with a special talkback with the cast and director on Friday, April 22nd after the show. The show will play select Wednesdays and Sundays at 7 pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. The show will run for approximately 120 minutes.

Tickets range in cost from $39-$50. Discounts for $3 off admission are available for seniors, students, and members of the military. To purchase tickets, please call (858) 481-1055 or visit North Coast Rep. Any questions regarding ticket purchasing can be directed to Jeff Needham of Patron Services at North Coast Rep.