Beachtown is San Diego REP‘s adaptation of dog & pony dc’s signature show Beertown. Beachtown was written by Herbert Siguenza with Rachel, directed by Sam Woodhouse with Rachel as associate director. In addition to writing and directing sections of Beachtown, Rachel provided training, guidance and support to the entire staff at San Diego REP for over two years as they developed this entire new Southern California adaptation of Beertown.
Beachtown was nominated for best new play by San Diego Theatre Critics (2018)
Rachel was one of 17 original devisers of Beertown in 2010, directed the show for six+ years with dog & pony dc, and oversaw community-based adaptations of the show in collaboration with three other companies (Omaha Playhouse, Know Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre). She led dog & pony dc through a complete write of Beertown five years after its 2011 premiere in order to make the show “Deaf-friendly”; this included infusing Deaf history and culture into the show, creating two characters who were Deaf (portrayed by Deaf actors), and making the show accessible every night to Deaf audience members. This “same show, completely different script” version is known as Beertown: 21st Quinquennial or Beertown in DC.
PRESS & PHOTOS
…meaningful and powerful…one-of-a-kind…game-changing act of theater.
One moment, you can lose yourself in the interaction, and in the next be moved by a personal memory that a longtime resident discusses with the other Beachtonians.
VIDEO
Videos compliments of San Diego REP.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
BEACHTOWN RAN MARCH 22 – April 15, 2018 IN THE LYCEUM SPACE AT SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE (SAN DIEGO, CA).
Show Description: “You are invited to the most immersive interactive event in San Diego REP history: The 100th Anniversary of Beachtown’s Time Capsule Celebration! Imagine you live in the small local community of Beachtown. As a Beachtonian, you are invited to share your voice and your vote and choose—alongside your neighbors—what will go inside our town’s Time Capsule to best represent the values of this beautiful place we call home. At Beachtown’s Time Capsule Celebration you will enjoy live music, dessert from our community potluck, and a delicious debate celebrating democracy in action. This town hall meeting like no other is about who we are and who we as a community want to be. Given this is Beachtown, you can count on a Celebration aimed at about breaking down barriers and discovering our shared dreams for the future of our town. Come ready to voice your opinion, debate vigorously, and vote proudly. Beachtown is a one-of-a kind, fun and entertaining theatrical event!”
Beachtown
By Herbert Siguenza with Rachel Grossman
Based on the play Beertown by dog & pony dc
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
Associate Director Rachel Grossman
Rachel Grossman - A Big Eyed Fish 