The new musical Slam, featuring skate choreography by Tony Hawk, will be part of the seventh season of La Jolla Playhouse's DNA New Work Series, a weekend of readings of new works taking place May 2–5 in the Playhouse’s Rao and Padma Makeneni Play Development Center (PDC) and Seuss 1 rehearsal spaces.
Slam, based on Nick Hornsby's novel, features a book by Kyle Jarrow (SpongeBob SquarePants), music and lyrics by Mark Mothersbaugh and Jarrow, and direction by Sean Graney. Performances are scheduled for May 4 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM in Seuss 1.
The new musical concerns 17-year-old Sam, who finds refuge in the world of skateboarding and through imagined conversations with his idol, Tony Hawk. The presentation includes a reading of the first act and a brief skate choreography demonstration hosted by Hawk.
The series also includes Airport, written and directed by Guillermo Calderón; The Best We Could (a family tragedy), by UC San Diego MFA graduate Emily Feldman, directed by Kate Eminger; and Jean, Jonah, and the Ginger Karl, by UC San Diego MFA graduate Jeff Augustin, directed by UC San Diego MFA graduate Joshua Kahan Brody.
“DNA has become one of the Playhouse’s most highly anticipated and successful pathways for developing new work, with several projects going on to receive full, world-premiere productions in our seasons,” said Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. “Patrons have the opportunity to take part in the birth of these new works while giving playwrights invaluable support and feedback in the early stages of their development process.”
Tickets for the DNA New Work Series are free, but reservations are required by calling (858) 550-1010 or by visiting LaJollaPlayhouse.org.
