Sullivan Players presents “Tribute” by Bernard Slade at Swedenborg Hall in San Diego.
SAN DIEGO–What do you do when you find your script has been suddenly re-written as a tragedy? This November, Sullivan Players presents Bernard Slade’s “Tribute” at Swedenborg Hall. Accompany the cast as they take you through the final chapter in the life of a charming, care-free actor as he attempts to make amends with the one person he hasn’t been able to yet befriend: his son.
Scottie Templeton’s a charming, irresponsible fellow. A sometime Broadway press agent and former scriptwriter, he’s everyone’s friend, nobody’s hero and a great womanizer who’s managed to live over fifty years without taking anything seriously including love, marriage and fatherhood. Life’s been one continuous gag. But at fifty one, he finds the script’s been rewritten as a tragedy: he is fatally ill. His son Jud, alienated by years of neglect, comes to visit. Scottie’s one concern is to make friends with his son, for everyone else adores Scottie including his ex wife, his friend and boss, and his doctor, and after a bitter, revealing confrontation, father and son are reconciled. And it is Jud who gets Scottie to agree to be re-hospitalized for treatment and then organizes a giant tribute to his father in a theatre.
“Tribute” is directed by DJ Sullivan, and features local talents Michael Bova, Joshua Jones, Dori Salerno, Milena Sellers Phillips, Ka’imi Kuoha, Claudia DeNault and Marc Biagi. “Tribute” marks the collaboration of Artistic Director D.J. Sullivan and Producer Michael Bova. They first teamed up for ‘The Odd Couple’ in 2011. The playwright Bernard Slade made his living in tv sitcoms, writing for such shows as “Bewitched”, “The Flying Nun” and “The Partridge Family”. He made his mark on Broadway with Tony Award nominated “Same Time, Next Year” in 1975.
Nestled in the cozy 60-seat theater at Swedenborg Hall, The Sullivan Players are currently celebrating their 9th season. Artistic Director and founder D.J. Sullivan has clearly focused her time and attention on making her plays work on an emotional level. D.J. has been directing and teaching San Diego actors for over 50 years. Among her students are Tony Award Winners Brian Stokes-Mitchell (“Kiss Me Kate”) and Christian Hoff (“Jersey Boys”), and Annette Benning, to name just a few.
Directed by D.J. Sullivan, “Tribute” opens on November 9. All 7 p.m. performances will be on November 14 to 16 and 21 to 23, and a 2 p.m. matinee November 24 at Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave. in San Diego.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/sullivan.players, or call (858) 274-1731.
