San Diego— The Sullivan Players, in it’s fourth season, presents “Talking With” a play by Jane Martin at The Swedenborgian Hall, 1531 Tyler Street in University Heights, Friday and Saturday evenings May  5^th through May 26^th -  at 7:00 pm.  Special matinee performances on May 20^th and May 27th at 2:00 P.M.  

Directed by renowned acting coach and director D.J. Sullivan, “Talking With” was the 1982 winner of the American Theatre Critics Association Award for Best Regional Play.  The New York Times said of playwright Jane Martin, “A dramatist with an original voice ... [and] gladsome humor."   Portrayed in a series of monologues, 11 women share their stories about enthusiasms that become obsessions.  Characters include a baton twirler, a fundamentalist snake handler, an ex rodeo rider and an actress willing to go to any length to get a job.  They amuse, move and frighten, always speaking from the depths of their souls.

D.J. Sullivan has been directing and teaching actors for over 40 years.  Her students have included Tony Award winners Brian Stokes-Mitchell (“Kiss Me Kate”) and Christian Hoff (“Jersey Boys”) as well as Academy Award Nominee Annette Bening (“American Beauty”).  As an actress D.J. Sullivan has appeared on such television shows as “Murder She Wrote” , “ General Hospital”, Pensacola Wings of Gold”,  “Dallas”, and “Baretta” .  Her film roles include all four “Killer Tomatoe” movies, and she has worked with such stars as Jason Robards, Angela Landsbury, Joan Plowright, Patty Duke and Anthony Perkins.  A 30 year S.A.G (Screen Actor’s Guild) National Board Member, DJ also had the distinction of being the Regional Vice President for both AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and S.A.G.

The cast of “Taking With” includes Elaine Miranda, Cece Black, Roxanne Hoffert, Savvy Scopelleti, Lauren Wilson, Barbara Morgan, Renee Varnedore, Sheila Rosen, Jo Darlene Reardon, Kymri Wilt and Melanie Sutherlin.

This is what San Diego critics have said about D.J. Sullivan and The Sullivan Players:

Laughter on The 23^rd Floor – “The first act is absolutely side-splitting.  The laughs fly fast and furious.  Sullivan has an excellent ear for the rhythm and tempo.”  KPBS – Pat Launer 

“D.J. Sullivan and her cast prove the importance of comedic timing.  The production shines.  DJ. Sullivan has brought San Diego a well polished “Laughter on the 23^rd Floor”.   SDTheaterScene.com -  Hitch 

Catch a Falling Star – All of the actors found their unique relationships on stage to make this play really sing.  D.J. Sullivan directed well – SDTheaterScene.com – Cuauhtamoc Q Kish 

“Outrageously funny, often poignantly touching, by turns crude and eloquent, the D.J. Sullivan-directed Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune is also very, very chilling.  Ms. Sullivan has restored integrity to McNally’s script through this multi-faceted production.”  - Carolyn Passeneau/San Diego Playbill.com 

Tickets are $15.00 regular admission, $12.00 for seniors and students.  Group discounts are available.  Tickets are available at the door or by calling 858-274-1731 for reservations.