Released on = June 23, 2007, 9:51 pm

Press Release Author = Sally Lodge, Media Liaison / The Relevant Stage

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = SAN PEDRO, CA - The Relevant Stage (TRS) is the name of a
new theatre company set to begin its first season in January 2008. The company will
present plays, musicals, operas and other mixed media experiences to Los Angeles and
surrounding area audiences in the historic, 1500 seat, Warner Grand Theatre located
near the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California.

Press Release Body = TRS will perform in the beautifully restored 76-year-old Warner
Grand Theatre located in San Pedro - the port town of Los Angeles. The theatre seats
over 1500.

Founder, Artistic and Managing Director, Ray Buffer will direct 5 productions as
part of TRS' inaugural 2008 season. The season will consist of three plays, two
musicals and even a documentary film.

Buffer, a professional actor, director and vocalist, brings over 20 years in arts
management experience to the new company having worked most recently in marketing
and development for The Laguna Playhouse, and as general manager for Long Beach
Opera.

Distinguishing TRS from other theatre companies is its mission: to produce works
that pertain to current social issues.

It is Buffer\'s vision that TRS will invigorate dialogue about issues that face the
contemporary world.

At a recent public presentation, Buffer stated, \"So much of what we see on
television, in film, and even on stage is disposable and escapist. While there is
certainly a need for that type of entertainment, I think that people also yearn for
well-rounded provocative stories - for it is through them that we grow.\" He added,
"Theatre should stimulate, and the stories should stay with you after you leave the
building.\"

Confirmed for 2008 is a pairing of a one act play and a documentary film. Rats &
Bullies: The Dawn-Marie Wesley Story is the documentary film by Roberta McMillan and
Ray Buffer that focuses on relational aggression among teen girls, and the
ramifications of bullying and teen suicide. William Mastrosimone's short play, Bang
Bang You're Dead addresses dramatically the issue of school shootings and violence.

Also in the season are two West Coast Premiere plays: Reinventing Eden by Seth Rozin
and Over There/Over Here by Michael Reyes.

Reinventing Eden tells the story of a geneticist who many years earlier "corrected"
a gene defect in his second child prior to birth, after his first son had been born
a few years earlier with a syndrome characterized by mental disability. His act was
unethical and illegal, and he now finds that he is being held accountable not only
by the scientific community but also by the son that he "cured".

Over There/Over Here shows the impact of the military experience on a young man who
joined the military because his options were limited by poverty and then served in
Iraq prior to the fall of Baghdad. It is a story of a man desiring to find meaning
in sacrifice.

The two musicals have yet to be confirmed due to rights restrictions and will be
announced along with the entire season in September, 2007.

Buffer envisions producing two, daytime, weekday matinees of each production,
exclusively for teen students who can be transported from their schools. Each school
presentation will be accompanied by a discussion afterward. This will be offered to
schools for free on a first come, first served basis. This outreach program has the
potential of reaching 15,000 teens.

Even the public performances will allow youth to experience the performances for far
less that other theaters. Buffer stated \"because I believe in the power of live
theatre and the need to compel youth to be exposed to the arts, our prices for teens
18 and younger to see TRS productions will only be five dollars. I believe that in
order to make it attractive for youth and accessible for teens from working class
families, our price needs to be less than a movie ticket.\" Buffer concluded, "Our
adult admission prices will also be more than reasonable.\" \"It is TRS' intention to
produce experiences that appeal to both Adults of all ages and mature teens.\"

Subscriptions and tickets will go on sale in September, 2007.

Additional information is available through the company's website,
http://therelevantstage.com where patrons can sign up for email updates and through
Warner Grand Theatre at http://warnergrand.org.


Web Site = http://therelevantstage.com

Contact Details = Teh Relevant Stage
c/o Warner Grand Theatre
478 W. 6th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
FAX - (206) 888-2182
Office - (310) 929-8129