Previews of “Pericles” begin Thursday, Aug. 20, at Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave. Thursday is the first of six previews. Opening night follows Aug. 29, and the run continues through Sept. 27.
The company bills the production as the West Coast premiere of Ellen McLaughlin’s modern verse translation of Shakespeare’s play. Margaret Shigeko Starbuck, Boston Court’s associate artistic director, directs, in partnership with Play On Shakespeare.
Boston Court has set the play inside an emergency evacuation center. The story follows a young prince driven into exile after uncovering a deadly royal secret, through storms, shipwreck, separation and eventual reunion. The staging uses movement and music.
Running time is approximately two hours 15 minutes with one intermission. Boston Court notes the script is still evolving and the running time may change.
Randolph Thompson plays Pericles. Joel Swetow, making his Boston Court debut, plays Gower, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson plays Marina, and Nicole Javier, a Pasadena City College faculty member, plays Thaisa.
The production is recommended for ages 13 and up. Boston Court advises that it contains references to incest, threats of sexual violence and depictions of human trafficking, and that the staging uses theatrical haze and strobe lighting.
Six post-show talks are scheduled during the run. Ellen McLaughlin joins the Aug. 30 session on playwriting, and Starbuck the Sept. 6 session on directing. The Sept. 4 performance is interpreted in American Sign Language.
The Sept. 20 talk turns to the setting. Boston Court has scheduled a conversation with Nic Arnzen, chair of the Altadena Town Council and director of the Collaboratory facility, on rebuilding community and finding new definitions of home after displacement or disaster.
Tickets run $25 to $82, with a $5 ticketing fee and a $2 facility fee added per ticket. At least four $10 Community Access Tickets, facility fees included, are held for every performance except opening night and closing weekend, first come, first served. Student tickets are $25, and rush tickets for high school students are free. The theater’s student matinee program offers $9 tickets.
The production is supported by the City of Pasadena, the David Lee Foundation, the Pasadena Community Foundation, the Hitz Foundation and Play On Shakespeare.
The box office can be reached at (626) 683-6801, and tickets are sold at https://ci.ovationtix.com/112/
