Hello Kitty Must Die by Gail Rastorfer & Kurt Johns
LOCATION
The Road on Lankershim – GALLERY
5108 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(Street parking or paid lot parking at 5125 Lankershim Blvd)
Hello Kitty Must Die
By Gail Rastorfer & Kurt Johns
Directed by Carlyle King*
Assistant Director: Michael Jacobson
CAST
FIONA YU- Ann Hu*
DR. NG/DON KOO/MEI- Samantha Tan*
MALE – Gavin Lee
JACK BETNER/NEWSCASTER – Dino Scofield*
SEAN- Christian Prentice
*Appears courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association
SYNOPSIS
Meet Fiona Yu, a 30 year old Chinese-American lawyer who is not just another “Hello Kitty” stereotype. On her mission to restore her missing virginity, Fi reunites with her long lost friend Sean, a plastic surgeon who just happens to be a serial killer. Fi embarks on a twisted journey to create her own version of the American Dream, eliminating anyone and anything that stands in her way. Hello Kitty Must Die is a manifesto of Asian feminism, Joy Luck Club meets Dexter.
TICKETS
No reservations or advance tickets. Admission is by donation ($15 suggested).
MEET YOUR PLAYWRIGHT
GAIL RASTORFER has been an actor for over 20 years and has always had a deep obsession with creative writers and their works. In the past decade she has strived to support and act in projects that tell stories about interesting, flawed and dynamic women. All women. In Chicago, she has worked for theaters such as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Goodman, First Folio, American Blues and Northlight Theatre. Regionally, she has worked with Asolo Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Indiana Rep, Syracuse Stage, Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Merrimack Repertory Theatre. In 2016 she was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for Solo Performance for her work in The Unfortunates with SoloChicago Theatre. It was during this process that she began her writing partnership with director Kurt Johns to bring Hello Kitty Must Die to the stage. Television Credits include Chicago Fire, Boss, Chicago Code and a wide range of national commercial selling everything from vacuum cleaners to insurance. A proud union member, she serves on the Chicago board of SAG-AFTRA. She now splits her time between L.A. and Chicago. www.gailonline.net and www.hellokittymustdie.com
KURT JOHNS is a 20 year resident of New York had a great performing career in regionals, Broadway (Chess and Aspects of Love) and National Tours (Les Miz) before repatriating to Chicago to concentrate on directing and writing. Kurt co-authored The NOT Mikado, and is one of the co-founders of SoloChicago Theatre. He directed their production of Churchill, the Play that was a runaway hit in Chicago before moving to New York City to play a 6-month run at New World Stages. Kurt also directed SoloChicago’s critically acclaimed 2nd production The Unfortunates starring Gail Rastorfer. Kurt has directed for theaters such as Apple Tree Theater, The Auditorium Theatre, Light Opera Works, Chicago College of Performing Arts, and of course SoloChicago. You can read more about his work at kurtjohns.com.
MEET YOUR DIRECTOR
CARLYLE KING has worked as an actress, writer, director, teacher and producer in the theatre over the last 40 odd years. Initially brought out here by John Houseman (she holds an MFA from USC), she has studied with Uta Hagen, Kim Stanley, Milton Katselas (to name a few). She was co-artistic director at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills for 2 years and co-created their highly successful One Act Festival that lead to NY productions, an HBO show and publications in Samuel French. Most recently as a director, Carlyle directed the world premiere of Tracy Silver’s one woman show MOTION CURES and the LA revival of BARRYMORE at the Marilyn Monroe theatre. At The Road Theatre she starred in award winning MUD BLUE SKY, produced THE ENGLISH BRIDE and Playwrights Festival and will direct the US premiere of Martin Sherman’s ONASSIS. She is a member of the Artistic Board and heads THE WORD @ MAGNOLIA. Over the last eleven years, Carlyle has headed “Kid Shakespeare” an after school drama program in the Pasadena. She has taught at USC and South Coast Repertory.
An Interview with Playwright Kurt Johns
1: What is the name of your play?
HELLO KITTY MUST DIE
2: What was your first job in the theatre?
First gig in the theatre my dad got me. I was a very young kid and I played a young slave child in “Demetrius and the Gladiators”. Apparently I couldn’t find my way off-stage in the curtain call and ended up taking several more bows than I was due.
3: Do you ever model characters after real life people?
In the theatre lab in my head, if I hear a rhythm or character-ism or motivation that tells this character’s story – real life people, made up people, characters I’ve seen or read….oh yeah.
4: As an artist, what subjects tend to draw your interest?
I’ve always been drawn to underdogs and outsiders. Noble, righteous fights for justice attract me. Fantasy that is logical extensions of reality and the battle to create beauty, peace and connection also resonate for me.
5: Do you have other passions aside from playwriting?
I have been a martial arts student/scholar. I also build computers. I got a short dose of teaching theatre, which I loved. There’s no feeling like lighting up some young artist from the inside. I feel pretty passionate about the theatre and what it can become, as a director, teacher, writer and facilitator.
6: Are you currently working on any new projects?
HKMD is my new project. However I’m currently vying for rights to adapt a couple of projects for the stage, which could be as exciting as this one is to me. I will be directing another solo show for a notable company here in Chicago this season, which I’m very excited about.
7: Here’s a fun question! What is your favorite dessert?
Boysenberry Pie
8: Any acknowledgements or words of encouragement?
I’ve loved my collaboration with my writing partner Gail who brought me to this project in the first place. It happened while we were telling each other our dream projects….
9: Describe your play in 3 words!
Deeply twisted hilarity