The Fountain Theatre is proud to announce its 40th-anniversary production of the groundbreaking queer comedy/drama, ‘Last Summer at Bluefish Cove’ by Jane Chambers. Directed by Hannah Wolf, this highly anticipated production will take place on the outdoor stage, with the parking lot transformed into an oceanfront experience.
Set in 1974, ‘Last Summer at Bluefish Cove’ tells the story of a group of queer women spending their summers together in a remote oceanfront town on Long Island. Their lesbian enclave is disrupted when Eva, a naïve straight woman recently separated from her husband, unwittingly stumbles into their circle and falls for the charming, tough-talking Lil. This heartfelt play, a landmark in lesbian history, brings to life well-rounded, three-dimensional characters that transcend stereotypes and preconceptions.
Artistic director Stephen Sachs shares the significance of this production, stating, “The play ran for two years, from 1983-1985, at the Fountain Theatre 40 years ago… It was a benchmark achievement in L.A. theater, a turning point for L.A.’s queer community, and a milestone in the history of our building. Now it’s time for generations of young gay women born after the play was produced here to experience it for themselves.”
Jane Chambers (1937-1983), one of the first playwrights to depict love between women as happy, healthy, and well-adjusted, changed the course of American drama with works informed by second-wave feminism and the burgeoning gay rights movement. She authored several influential works, including ‘A Late Snow’ (1974), ‘Last Summer at Bluefish Cove’ (1980), and ‘My Blue Heaven’ (1981). Chambers’ impact on American drama is celebrated through The Jane Chambers Award for Playwriting and a reading series at TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence) Theatre.
The Fountain Theatre, known for presenting outstanding theater that challenges thinking and highlights social justice issues, is honored to announce that ‘Last Summer at Bluefish Cove’ is an all-female-identifying and non-binary cast and creative team. Recognized by the Los Angeles Drama Circle with the Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theater, the Fountain continues to engage audiences with meaningful new plays and first-class performances.
‘Last Summer at Bluefish Cove’ will run from June 17 to August 27, with performances on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at 7 p.m. (excluding Monday, June 19). Three preview performances will be held on June 14, 15, and 16, also at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45, with Pay-What-You-Want seating available every Monday night (subject to availability). For more information on ticket pricing, visit www.FountainTheatre.com.
