Australian Playwright Daniel Keene delivers a touching story of human connection and personal growth in the US premiere of Pascal & Julien. The action takes place in Paris sometime in the early 2000s. For a reason not fully disclosed, 13-year-old Julien (Jude Schwartz) wants to replace his father with someone else. Julien has been observing and analyzing a few men, and finally zooms in on Pascal (Paul Turbiak).
Often sitting outside a café, the lonely Pascal spends his time solving crosswords. With his binoculars, Julien has been observing Pascal for a while from the window of his room nearby. After some time, Julien decides to approach Pascal and ask him to be his father. Julien’s bold request and Pascal’s hesitation take these two characters into a journey of self-discovery.
To tell the story, Director Debbie Devine utilizes attractive visuals and special effects to portray the seasons and places where the characters interact. Both Schwartz and Turbiak give their characters the emotional effect to convey the transformation taking place internally. As the characters get to know each other a bit more, they disclose their relationships with their respective fathers. But Keene decides to let the audience image the real reasons behind Pascal’s loneliness and Julien’s desire to replace his father.
The audience may expect a simplistic happy ending. However, Pascal’s words at the end are meaningful and project the cathartic quest taking shape in the lives of these two characters.
Pascal & Julien is a part of 24th Street Theatre’s season theme CONNECTION & ISOLATION, two significant topics for today’s young audiences. Click on the link below to learn more about the unique history of this theatre and its mission to have a positive impact on its local community.
Pascal & Julien
24th Street Theatre
1117 West 24th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007-1725
Performances: Sept. 7 – Oct. 27:
• Saturdays at 3 p.m.: Sept. 28; Oct. 5; Oct. 12; Oct. 19; Oct. 26
Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.: Sept. 7 (Opening Night); Sept. 28; Oct. 5; Oct. 12; Oct. 19; Oct. 26
• Sundays at 3 p.m.: Sept. 29; Oct. 6; Oct. 13; Oct. 20; Oct. 27
• Mondays at 7:30 p.m.: Oct. 7 ONLY
All performances will feature Spanish supertitles.
• Content warning: fleeting use of profanity.
• Not appropriate for kids under 8.
Tickets: 24thstreet.org
Written by Daniel Keene. Directed by Debbie Devine. Original music composed by Bradley Brough. Presented by 24th Street Theatre, Debbie Devine, artistic director. Jay McAdams and Jennie McInnis produce for 24th Street Theatre alongside line producer Abel Alvarado.
Starring Rick Segall, Paul Turbiak, Darby Winn, Jude Schwartz.
Creative team: Scenic designer Keith Mitchell; video designer Matthew G. Hill; lighting designer Dan Weingarten; sound designer John Nobori; costume designer Shannon Kennedy; and casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. Spanish translation is by Jesús Castaños–Chima, who also assistant directs. The production stage manager is Christina Otarola.
