Starting May 11, Los Angeles fans will have a new reason to celebrate theater. Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and Academy Award-nominated writer David Mamet debuts his newest play “Keep Your Pantheon” on a double bill with his own “The Duck Variations” at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City, CA.

“Keep Your Pantheon” is set in ancient Rome where an impoverished acting company on the edge of eviction is offered a lucrative engagement and life is finally on the upswing. But through a series of riotous mishaps, the troupe finds its problems have actually multiplied, and that they are about to learn a new meaning for the term “dying on stage”.

 "The Duck Variations”, a sly meditation on the meaning of life written in the early 1970s, depicts conversations between two elderly men who are sitting on a park bench and watching ducks. Their observations about the ducks, whether factual or incorrect, create a beautiful fugue on the human condition – on family and friendship, the possibility of happiness and on death.Rehearsals have already begun for both productions.

Mamet’s delicious dialogue has been historic for delivering strong performances and this cast, including many recognizable faces and names, has stepped up to the plate.

“The Duck Variations” will feature (in alphabetical order) Harold Gould and Michael Lerner. “Keep Your Pantheon” will feature Jeffrey Addiss, Michael Cassidy, Steven Goldstein, Vincent Guastaferro, Dominic Hoffman, J.J. Johnston, Rod McLachlan, Ed O’Neill, David Paymer, Jonathan Rossetti and Jack Wallace.

Previews begin May 11.

Opens May 18 and runs through June 8, 2008.

Both plays are directed by Neil Pepe with set design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Ilona Somogyi, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind and sound design by Cricket S. Myers.

Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling                      (213) 628-2772          , online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office. 

Hot Tix may be purchased at $20 each in advance or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office.

The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

                     (213) 628-2772