As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Pacific Resident Theatre will present a stage adaption of Raymond Chandler’s original screenplay, “The Blue Dahlia.”
Chandler is best-known and much-lauded for his novels, such as The Long Goodbye and Farewell, My Lovely, which established him as both a quintessential L.A. novelist and master of the modern mystery. One of his successors, Ross MacDonald, said Chandler wrote like a “slumming angel.”
Most of his novels were adapted for the screen, and he also wrote some original screenplays, one of which was The Blue Dahlia. Released in 1946, it was directed by George Marshall and starred Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix, Howard De Silva and Doris Dowling – a classic film noir cast.
Chandler’s screenplay has been adapted for stage by Dan O’Connor.
The company’s mission, as defined by its Artistic Director Marilyn Fox, includes rediscovering rarely performed classics.
O’Connor, who has directed a number of productions for the company, will direct his adaptation of Blue Dahlia.
The cast will include Martha Hackett, Robb Derringer, Matt McKenzie, and Katy Selverstone) plays Joyce Harwood, all of whom have extensive theater, film and television credits.
Producers are Matt Elkins, Alley Mills, Rachel Avery, Sara Newman-Martins, and Bill Lithgow.
The Pacific Resident Theatre has won upwards of 110 Awards – including a recent LADCC Award for Best Revival, Rocket to the Moon, the Margaret Harford Award for Continuous Achievement in the Small Theatre Arena, and the Polly Warfield Award for the Most Successful Season.
Blue Dahlia will preview October 22-28, open on October 29 to run through December 18. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.It’s located at 705 1/2 Venice Boulevard in Venice. Tickets are $10 for previews and $20-$27 thereafter and can be purchased by calling the box office directly at (310) 822-8392.
