"Wounded" April 8, 2007

With Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the national headlines on a daily basis, the critically-acclaimed Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble production of "Wounded" returns to The Powerhouse Theatre following its sold-out, limited engagement last spring.

"Wounded" is based on true accounts of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Set in the Fisher House rehabilitation home at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC, the main point of re-entry for wounded soldiers, sailors, and Marines, "Wounded" follows four young veterans and their families on their quest to readjust to life back home and get on with lives newly transformed by physical and emotional injury. With their time in the war behind them, these men and women discover that their real battle is about to begin.

"We had great reviews and strong word-of-mouth, but had to close the show prematurely because the theater was committed to another production," explains Powerhouse managing director Eric Sims. "We're delighted that the entire original cast is available to bring back this exciting new work for the longer run it deserves."

Countless hours of research, interviews, improvisation, transcriptions, revelations, and conversations went into developing the "Wounded" script. After months of negotiating a maze of military bureaucracy, members of The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble managed to arrange a trip to Fisher House to interview returning veterans and their family members. There, they were privileged to spend time with three outstanding individuals whose experiences and stories provided the inspiration for the fictional characters in the play: Navy Corpsman Joe Dan "Doc" Worley, who ran into open fire to save an injured Marine; Sgt. Jason Pepper, who lost his eyes to a roadside bomb; and Major Tammy Duckworth, a Blackhawk pilot who wants to fly again after losing both her legs and who was narrowly defeated in her bid for Congress last November.

"Wounded," the first in Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble's "War Cycle;" had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, 2005, and premiered for an American audience last May at The Powerhouse Theatre with special preview performances at UCLA as part of the UCLA Live series. The Los Angeles Times wrote, "The urgent timeliness of Wounded is unmistakable... Recommended!." Agreed the LA Weekly, "GO!... quickly finds its target... the entire ensemble delivers strong performances." The second play in the cycle, which explores the emotional consequences of deployment, is currently in development for production this summer.

The six-week run, featuring original cast members Albert Meijer, Emeka Nnadi, Emily Rose, Morgan Early, Carly Reeves, Carrie Bradac, Spencer Nicholas, Lauren Eckstrom, and Eric Ancker, takes place April 13 through May 19. "Wounded" is recommended for mature audiences.

"Wounded" runs Fridays and Satrudays at 8 pm April 13 through May 19, with three Thursday performances on April 26, May 3 and 10, also at 8 pm. For reservations and information, call (310) 396-3680 x3 or visit www.latensemble.org.

Official Website: http://www.latensemble.org