The Luckiest
World-Premiere Play
June 30 – July 28, 2019 Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre
By Melissa Ross Directed by Jaime Castañeda
CRITIC’S CHOICE – The San Diego Union-Tribune
Lissette is a vibrant, independent woman who lives on her own terms. But when a sudden diagnosis changes life as she knows it, she must navigate the strong opinions of her mother and her best friend as she resolutely forges her own path for her future. Facing her new reality with a healthy dose of humor and heartened by the love of her friends and family, Lisette’s journey reminds us of the power in each of us to take ownership of our lives. This new play is an affecting, thought-provoking and deeply affirmational story of how we live and love.
Developed in the 2018 DNA New Works Series
Complete your evening at The Luckiest by making a reservation at our onsite restaurant James’ Place, just steps away from the theatre, or stop by for a drink. Click HERE to reserve your table. James’ Place opens at 5:00 pm.
STELLAR REVIEWS FOR THE LUCKIEST
“Friendship and family are tested by illness and hard choices in La Jolla Playhouse’s affecting ‘The Luckiest’” » Read More at The San Diego Union-Tribune
“‘The Luckiest’ succeeds in telling an emotionally involving and evolving story with plenty of love.” » Read More at Talkin’ Broadway
“THE LUCKIEST Explores Friendship And Family At La Jolla Playhouse” » Read More at BroadwayWorld
Content note: This play contains smoking, strong language and adult content.
Need more detail?
The Playhouse’s mission is to be a safe harbor for the unsafe and surprising. We are proud to engage with artists and audiences on a wide range of subjects as we explore our world together. In order to preserve the excitement of the story-telling that will unfold on stage, we do not list all potential triggers for audiences. Please call our Patron Services Office if you’d like to discuss any concerns you have prior to attending.
Production Sponsors
Una K. Davis
Larry & Robin Rusinko
The Paula Marie Black Endowment for Women’s Voices in the Art of Theatre
» Click here to read the program online
ACCESS Performance (ASL interpretation, audio description): Saturday, July 20 at 2:00 pm
»Click here to purchase tickets for ACCESS Performances, Friday Fare, and other Audience Engagement Events
Top banner photo credit: Reggie D. White and Aleque Reid in THE LUCKIEST; photo by Jim Carmody.
Cast & Creators
- Creators
- Cast
- Design
Melissa Ross
Playwright
Her plays include Thinner Than Water, A Life Extra Ordinary, Nice Girl, An Entomologist’s Love Story and Of Good Stock, which have been developed and produced around the country at Dorset Theatre Festival, The Gift Theatre, Iama Theatre Company, LAByrinth Theater Company, LCT3, New York Stage and Film, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, TheatreWorks and many others. She has been twice commissioned by South Coast Repertory and Manhattan Theatre Club. Ms. Ross is a graduate of Bennington College and the Lila Acheson Wallace Playwriting Program at The Juilliard School, a two-time winner of the Le Comte de Nouy Prize and a proud member of LAByrinth Theater Company.
Melissa Ross Playwright
Jaime Castañeda
Director
He served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director from 2014 to 2018, where he directed Seize the King, At the Old Place, Tiger Style! and Guards at the Taj. Other productions include Vietgone (ACT), Chimichangas and Zoloft (Atlantic Theater), How We Got On (Cleveland Playhouse), Welcome to Arroyo’s (The Old Globe) and Red Light Winter (Perseverance Theatre), among others. He has also developed new plays with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Rattlestick Theater, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center Theater, The Kennedy Center and the Atlantic Theater Company, where he spent five seasons as Artistic Associate. A Drama League Fellow, Mr. Castañeda is the recipient of a Princess Grace Award and a TCG New Generations Grant. He holds an M.F.A. in Directing from The University of Texas at Austin.
Jaime Castañeda Director
Deirdre Lovejoy
Cheryl
Aleque Reid
Lissette
Reggie D. White
Peter
- Tim MackabeeScenic Designer
- Denitsa BliznakovaCostume Designer
- Lap Chi ChuLighting Designer
- Ryan RumeryComposer and Sound Designer
- Gabriel GreeneDramaturg
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Telsey + Company.;
Karen Casl, C.S.A.;
Destiny LillyCasting - Anjee NeroStage Manager
- Dean RemingtonStage Manager
- Kira VineAssistant Stage Manager
- Becca DuhaimeProject Production Manager
- Natalia DuongAssistant Director
- Anna RobinsonAssistant Scenic Designer
- Rachel TibbettsAssistant Lighting Designer
- Mason PilevskyAssistant Sound Designer
- Hsi-An ChenScenic Design Resident Assistant
- Eric AndrewsALS Consultant
- Joanna BurgessSpeech Consultant
- Jesse J. PerezPhysical Consultant
Gallery
Venue Info
Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre
The third and newest of La Jolla Playhouse's theatres, the 6,500-square-foot Sheila and Hughes Potiker theatre is the centerpiece of the first permanent year-round home for the Playhouse — the $17 million Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center.
Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre
