Exit The King

Posted in 2009

By Eugene Ionesco
Directed by Jerome Solberg

January 23 through February 21, 2009

Pioneering the Theatre of the Absurd is not unlike founding the Donner Pass, as very few will ultimately trickle through and several will eat each other up in he process.

Along with Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco did help shepherd in the Theatre of the Absurd, but, as with any other survivor, he did it warily, looking over his shoulder the whole time and calling his creation "the Theatre of Derision."

In his Exit the King we are witness to the last few hours of King Berenger as he unwillingly faces the end of his reign, the end of his kingdom (driven into the ground, quite literally, through narcissism, neglect, and incompetence - sound familiar?) and, ultimately, the end of himself. Just like in life, the end is foreseeable far in advance, but it's how you get there that counts. Join us as we throw in our lot with Ionesco at the height of his powers, wending us through the absurd twists and turns of a man who simply refuses to face the facts.

CAST

The King. ..................................................................................Norman Macleod

Queen Marie. .............................................................................Satya Soleil Starr

Queen Marguerite. .........................................................................Beth Chastain

The Doctor. ...................................................................................Alecks Rundell

Juliette. ..........................................................................................Melanie Curry

The Guard. .........................................................................................Jose Garcia

CREW

Director. .......................................................................................Jerome Solberg

Set Design. ...................................................................................Shu Ping Guan

Set Construction. ....................................................................Bob Gudmundsson

Assistant Set Design. ....................................................................Phoebe W. Lam

Costume Design. .......................................................................Helen Slomowitz

Light Design. .................................................................................Alecks Rundell

Sound Design. ....................................................................................Phil Ramey

Sound/Light Op. ................Lucas Bastien, Jessica Palacios, Thomas Petithuguenin

Producer. .........................................................................................Roger Schrag

Stage Manager. ...................................................................................Jose Garcia

Assistant Stage Manager. ..............................................................Ezodin Towfigh

Publicity. ...........................................................................................Eric Carlson

Consultant. ...................................................................................George Marchi

Lobby Display. .......................................................................Martha Luehrmann

The reviews are in:

"Norman Macleod's King Berenger is a marvelous act to behold." — The Daily Californian

"Over the top Surrealist burlesque alternates with emotional, almost maudlin scenes" — The Berkeley Daily Planet

"This production provides an amusing mixture of light-heartedness and gravity." — San Francisco Bay Times

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Queen Marguerite (Beth Chastain) foretells the future of King Berenger (Norman Macleod) in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's Exit the King by Eugene Ionesco. Photo by Eric Carlson.

Queen Marie (Satya Soleil Starr) seeks to comfort King Berenger (Norman Macleod) in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's Exit the King by Eugene Ionesco. Photo by Eric Carlson.

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Caught in a triangle with Queen Marguerite (Beth Chastain) and Queen Marie (Satya Soleil Starr), King Berenger (Norman Macleod) senses the end of his reign in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's Exit the King by Eugene Ionesco. Photo by Eric Carlson.

View the press release.

Opens Friday, January 23rd. Performances Fridays and Saturdays January 23rd through February 21ss at 8 pm, plus an extra showing Thursday, February 19th at 8 pm.

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Thank You

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley is delighted to acknowledge the Berkeley Civic Arts Program and Civic Arts Commission's support in the form of a grant of $8,000.00 awarded in 2017. Also, a thank you to Theatre Bay Area for a grant of $2,500.00.

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