It's Official! Rantoul And Die Is A Hit!

Rantoul and Die, the "romantic comedy wrapped in razor wire" from the mind of Mark Roberts (Executive Producer, Two and a Half Men) is both a slice of life comedy and a nightmarish descent into a deep, dark, twisted rabbit hole that makes Alice in Wonderland look like a trip to the county fair. It is gritty and shocking in places but critics all agree that Rantoul and Die is just the kick in the pants that the Los Angeles theatre community needed.

Jay Reiner of The Hollywood Reporter says, "Mark Roberts has written a vicious but delicious pit bull of a play that starts with a menacing growl, shifts to a loud bark and finally bites off anything within reach." The LA Times calls it "a profane and violent odyssey through America's white-trash psyche" and "a strangely captivating comedy - a rude belch in the direction of tasteful theater." Candyce Columbus of the LA Theater Examiner calls Rantoul and Die "a tour de force dark comedy" not to be missed.

All these critics couldn't be wrong. And while words such as vicious, pit bull, profane, and belch may not commonly be used to describe an evening at the theater, don't let that deter you. Rantoul and Die has just the right mix of salty and sweet to make you laugh, cringe, and leave the theater thinking, "Why am I craving Dairy Queen?"

To read full reviews of Rantoul and Die visit www.rantoulanddie.com.

Rantoul And Die Opens With A Bang!

Rantoul and Die opened on Saturday to a packed house of the hip and happening Hollywood elite. As with any Hollywood event, the red carpet was rolled out for the press and celebrity invited guests as paparazzi lurked in the shadows hoping to catch a quick snapshot. Among the special invited guests were Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men), Jenny O'Hara (Big Love), and Dana Delaney (Desperate Housewives), just to name a few.

But don't get it twisted. This was not your typical Hollywood affair. And Rantoul and Die is not your typical play. LA has not seen theatre the likes of this before. Rantoul and Die destroys all previously conceived notions of what civilized theatre should be. It is raw, gritty, in your face theatre that is uncensored, unapologetic, and relentless.

And Producers Don Foster and Stephen Eich wouldn't have it any other way.

Stephen Eich, former Managing Director of Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, recalls a time when theatre was edgy and honest. "When Don and Mark asked me to be involved with their new production of Rantoul and Die, I never imagined that it would be so reminiscent of the early days in Chicago. This is the kind of play that Steppenwolf, at an early age, ripped into like a tornado."

Rantoul and Die not only pays homage to the early work produced by Steppenwolf, but it also boasts riveting performances by the founding members of the Actor's Gang and Defiant Theatre Company. Imagine bringing the rat pack back together for one last performance to show the young cats how it's done. Well, Paul Dillon, Cynthia Ettinger, Rich Hutchman, and Lisa Rothschiller are the rat pack of theatre. And they are here to show LA how theatre is done.

Paul Dillon is electrifying in the role of the hard walking, tough talking, man's man Gary. He gives it to you straight, no chaser. No sugar to make the medicine sweet. His performance is gritty and raw. One that stays with you long after the curtains close. Paul is the Co-Founder of Bang Bang Spontaneous Theatre and is well known for his numerous roles on stage and screen.

Cynthia Ettinger is phenomenal as Debbie, the Dairy Queen Assistant Manager who's unhappy with her lackluster life. Her performance is hilarious yet poignant with an abrasive realness that sheds light on some of the harsh realities of life. Cynthia is a founding member of the Actor's Gang and has performed in many of the company's biggest productions throughout its twenty-five year history. She has also been a series regular on HBO's Carnivale and Deadwood. Most recently, Cynthia wrote and directed I'm not a racist, but... at the Actor's Gang.

Rich Hutchman is delightful as the lovestruck, tender hearted Rallis. He is an everyman, walking the fine line between love and hate, sanity and insanity, and he plays the role with an inherent sensibility that is both touching and humorous. Rich has worked with Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, and Red Orchid Theatre Companies and is the Artistic Director for Buzzworks Theatre Company.

Lisa Rothschiller is compelling as Callie, the quirky, yet good natured Dairy Queen Manager with an affinity for ice cream and cats. She is fun and gripping to watch and draws the audience in with her offbeat wit. Lisa was a long time member and one-time Artistic Director of the award-winning Defiant Theatre Company. Lisa makes her LA stage debut in Rantoul and Die.

Rantoul and Die takes you on a wild roller coaster ride, plunging you deep into the dark crevices of the human experience. Be forewarned. This play is not for the weak, the squeamish, or (sorry Rallis) the tender hearted. For everyone else, fasten your seatbelts. It's gonna be one hell of a ride.

The Calm Before The Storm...

"The calm before the storm." That's how Rantoul and Die Director, Erin Quigley, described the atmosphere at the Lillian Theater on Wednesday night during a break in rehearsal. And calm it was. Crew members moved about quietly on stage adjusting this, fixing that. Actors sauntered to and from their dressing rooms. The lights were down. The stage, dim. Every set piece was in its meticulously chosen place. A few touches had been added. Bricks leading to the wooden steps of the porch. Empty bottles and cans, purchased by the play's Producer, Don Foster, from a homeless man outstide the theater a few minutes earlier, filled the trash cans in the yard. As always, special attention had been given to the little things.

The time was 6:30pm and the full dress rehearsal was set to begin shortly. This would be the last run thru before the preview performance on Thursday night. The air was calm but filled with anticipation. Weeks of blood, sweat, and pee were about to pay off. Literally. But for now there was a strange peace. A stillness even. But not for long.

At about 7pm the organized chaos began. Paul Dillon and Cynthia Ettinger came out on stage and began rehearsing their choreographed fight scenes while Erin looked on, making sure no one was actually hurt. The crew rearranged props on the set and made sure lights and music were ready to go. By 7:30 they began reviewing lighting cues for the last scene and rehearsing how the actors would take their bows.

Everything ran smoothly like a well oiled machine and by 8pm the run thru had begun. Right on schedule. But that was to be expected. This talented team of individuals had worked too hard to miss a beat. Mark Roberts and the Producers Don Foster and Stephen Eich took their seats and watched as their vision unfolded before them. Erin watched with a critically trained eye to see if the actors incorporated her notes and directions.

The run thru went on without a noticeable hitch and as Paul Dillon, Rich Hutchman, Cynthia Ettinger, and Lisa Rothschiller took their bow it seemed as though they breathed a collective sigh of relief. One performance down. Thirty-one to go.

Previews performances of Rantoul and Die begin Thursday, May 14th at The Lillian Theater. The play officially opens Saturday, May 16th at 8pm and runs through July 4th. Call 323-960-4424 for reservations or visit http://www.rantoulanddie/ for more info.

Opening Night Count Down!

Four days until opening night and the cast and crew of Rantoul And Die is hard at work to bring you an awesome show! It was lights, gunshots, and pee bags, oh my at the tech rehearsal last night. The tireless actors delivered lines while the crew perfected lighting and sound cues. As mundane as that may seem, it was actually quite fun to watch. And while lighting and sound may not make or break a play, when it is done properly it adds an authentic feel to the production and enhances the audience's experience.

The producers of Rantoul And Die have spared no expense in creating the world in which these characters live. Attention is given to every detail. From the medicine bottles on the kitchen counter and the carpet on the livingroom floor to the photo frames on the wall and the dogs barking outside everything about this production rings true. The set has undergone an extensive transformation process according to the play's Associate Producer, Marla DuMont. "All the wood has been stained and the paint has been feathered to give it a small town feel. My favorite part is the junk pile. It shows how thorough David's design is. He's got fences, working AC outlets, and shrubs coming up out of the ground. It all gives it a lower middle class feel."

In addition to the elaborate set design of David Harwell, the play also features fight sequences meticulously choreographed by Ned Mochel and executed by the phenomenal Paul Dillon and Cynthia Ettinger. And of course, it goes without saying, the play is written by the very funny Mark Roberts, who also happens to be one of the Writers and Executive Producers on CBS' testosterone driven comedy Two and a Half Men. Roberts' writing is clever, in your face, and funny as hell. The characters are real, raw, and undeniably human. The play takes us on a journey to the darker side of the human experience and makes us laugh while we're there. All this is nothing less than a recipe for success. With the awesome set, amazing cast and crew, and creative genius of Mark Roberts, this play is definitely not theater as usual. Expect the unexpected and more than a few pleasant surprises.

Rantoul And Die opens May 16th at The Lillian Theater. 1076 N. Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038. Visit http://www.rantoulanddie/ for more information and tickets.

TV Writer Mark Roberts Brings His Comedy To The Stage In LA With His New Play Rantoul And Die

With a name like Rantoul And Die it must be good. The dark comedy gives audiences a peek into the disfunctional lives of Rallis and Debbie, a small town couple whose marriage has run its course. It is described by its producers as "a romantic comedy wrapped in barbed wire." Well, as if that weren't enough to pique your interest, the play is written and produced by the very guys behind CBS' hit comedy Two and a Half Men. The play is written by Mark Roberts (Executive Producer, Two and a Half Men), produced by Don Foster (Executive Producer, Two and a Half Men) and Stephen Eich (Director, The Geffen Playhouse, Steppenwolf Theater), and directed by Erin Quigley (two time Tony Award Nominee). The play stars the founding members of The Actors Gang and Defiant Theater Paul Dillon, Cynthia Ettinger, Rich Hutchman, and Lisa Rothschiller.


Rehearsals for the production began April 14th. This past Tuesday the actors had their very first rehearsal at The Lillian Theater in Hollywood. The quaint, 99 seat venue makes for a very intimate theater going experience. The set designer, David Harwell, has done wonders with the space, transforming the stage, and giving the audience an up close and personal view of the home of the troubled couple. The set draws the audience in and invites them to "pull up a seat and come along for the ride." And you better believe it's gonna be one wild and funny ride.


Rantoul And Die opens Saturday, May 16th at The Lillian Theater with preview performances on May 14th and 15th. For more information and tickets go to http://www.rantoulanddie.com/ or call 323-960-4424.