Dates announced for Handler's "Imaginary Comforts" play

[Dante]

Imaginary Comforts, or The Story of the Ghost of the Dead Rabbit is a play by Daniel Handler which has been in the offing for a couple of years now, but after finally learning earlier in the year that it would be staged at Berkeley Repertory Theater in October, we now have actual dates: Previews run from October 5th, press night is on October 12th, and it will run through to November 19th.

The literary genius behind Lemony Snicket brings his relentlessly mischievous style to a new play for adults. Sarah's father is dead, her mother is in hysterics, and the new rabbi totally bungled the funeral. To further the absurdity, the ghost of a rabbit hops into her life, pushing her to confront her deepest issues. Fantastical and wise as well as hilarious and sobering, Imaginary Comforts celebrates ordinary people trying to make sense out of life in the midst of endless comedic chaos.

The cast includes Cassidy Brown (Michael), Michael Goorjian (Clovis), Julian López-Morillas (Dr. Marcus Gold), Sharon Lockwood (Mrs. Gold), Susan Lynskey (Sarah Gold), Jarion Monroe (Jack), Danny Scheie (Ghost), and Marilee Talkington (Naomi).

The creative team includes Todd Rosenthal (scenic designer), Meg Neville (costume designer), Nick Solyom (lighting designer), and Jake Rodriguez (sound designer).

The play will be directed by Tony Taccone, who also worked with Handler on The Composer is Dead. You can buy tickets for the show here.

[Skelly Craig]

Great, another Daniel Handler event to only happen in the US, I won't get to see

[Dante]

Well, The Composer is Dead eventually came overseas. And come to think of it, I've heard of a British theatrical adaptation of The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming. ...It would be more convenient, though, if we could get a print edition of some sort, as with The Composer is Dead and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but if one was planned we would probably have heard of it by now. Fingers crossed for the play's wild success so we're more likely to have access to it, then.

[bear]

Aug 19, 2017 11:14:39 GMT -5 Skelly Craig said:

Great, another Daniel Handler event to only happen in the US, I won't get to see

only in california means pretty much the same thing to most american 667ers as it does to you

[Linda Rhaldeen]

Yeah the United States is a very large country, on a scale that a lot of lifelong Europeans probably have trouble comprehending. I'm probably closer than anyone except Liz to this and it's still at least 1000 miles away.

[Skelly Craig]

Having never traveled around the US, I can def say that I comprehend the country's scale.

But ok, I get it. If you happen to live in Nevada or Oregon, besides CA, though, it'd be managable. I didn't care about Composer is Dead or The Latke, but this might be something cool.

[Dante]

BroadwayWorld has a much more detailed article with quotes from the direct and author and profiles of the actors involved.