Cygnet Theatre Presents “Sharon”

Cygnet Theatre is pleased to announce the cast and creative team of “Sharon” by Keiko Green. This darkly comedic world premiere is directed by Rob Lutfy and runs from Wednesday, June 7 through Sunday, July 2 at Cygnet Theatre, located at 4040 Twiggs Street in Old Town San Diego.

Not all is as it seems in this hilarious and Hitchcockian story that makes you question…well, everything. Sharon and Jakey are a loving mother and son, running the crumbling apartment building in Everett, WA that’s been in the family for generations, repainting the walls as the tenants move in and out. Or are they…? Soon we start to realize that perhaps this family is not what they seem. Over the course of a very tense dinner, the story unfolds and power switches hands. We finally get to the bottom of this comedic thriller, asking the questions: What does survival look like? And who is Sharon!?

“‘Sharon’ is technically a play about gentrification, power imbalances, about growing up in a toxic home — but it was driven by the question: ‘What will we do to survive?’” said playwright Keiko Green. “The show is a darkly comedic psychological thriller. It is rooted in emotional twists and turns that will hopefully stun audiences with an unforgettable final scene that flips back and forth between hilarious and unnerving.”

In addition to penning the script, Green will also step into the role of Tina. She’ll be acting alongside her real-life husband MJ Sieber who plays Gregg. The titular role of Sharon is played by Deanna Driscoll. The cast is rounded out by Rafael Goldstein as Jake and Katherine

Peña as Sabrina.

In addition to direction by Rob Lutfy, the creative team for Cygnet’s production of “Sharon” includes scenic design by Yi-Chien Lee, lighting design by Bryan Ealey, sound design by Steven Leffue, props design by Alyssa Kane, costume design by Zoë Trautmann, casting by Kian KlineChilton, and stage management by Dean Remington.

Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased in person at the box office located at 4040 Twiggs Street in San Diego Old Town Historic State Park, by calling 619-337-1525 or by visiting cygnettheatre.com.

Grammy Winner Ben Harper Does His Part to Support Doors of Change

The annual Doors of Change Concert of Hope will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 9 at Epstein Family Ampitheater, located at 9500 Gilman Drive in San Diego. The event will include three-time Grammy winner Ben Harper, with CoEmcee, Anson Williams (Warren “Potsie” Webber/Happy Days). A VIP reception will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for at www.DoorsofChange.org.

Doors of Change has done an impressive job of raising millions for homeless youth and securing support from members of the entertainment community. Past concerts have received support, either in concert or donated auction times from such music legends as Elton John, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Tony Bennett, BB King, Los Lobos, George Thorogood, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Taj Mahal, Paul Rodgers, Melissa Ethridge, and the 2022 headliners, Three Dog Night’.

Doors of Change is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Diego. It exclusively helps the

Ben Harper, musician, songwriter and producer, continues his philanthropic efforts to end homelessness for transitional youth. most underserved of the entire homeless population, Transitional Age Youth (TAY) ages 17 to 25, the most likely age group to break the cycle of homelessness.

For each of the past three years

Doors of Change has set a record for helping homeless youth get off the streets and into safe housing in San Diego – and many youth have become selfsufficient as a result. In 2022 they shattered their record of housing homeless youth by 188 youth, resulting in 349 youth being placed in safe housing. Since 2001, they have helped over 2,700 homeless youth get safe housing.

Recognizing that trust is often a significant barrier for youth in need of services, Doors of Change selected music and art as a non-threatening way to engage young people living on the street for 18 years, until Covid. By offering music and art instruction in a small group setting, youth are given the opportunity to explore their feelings and challenges through the arts, achieve a sense of mastery for the first time, develop social skills that are positive and constructive, and create a vision for the future that is filled with possibility.

A special guest at this year’s concert will be Justine, sharing her true life “Rocky Story,” a formerly homeless youth who just graduated from law school. With community help, more youth like Justine will have a life they can be proud to share with others.