By TheatreWorks prepares to perform Weisman's coming-of-age comedy

Town Crier Staff Report

TheatreWorks continues its 33rd season with the Northern California premiere of the comedy “Be Aggressive.”

The play opens this week and runs through Aug. 18 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Preview performances are slated for 8 p.m., today through Friday. The opening night performance is scheduled for 8 p.m., Saturday.

“Be Aggressive” is described as playwright Annie Weisman’s “no-holds-barred look at coming of age in yuppie America.”

The play follows the exploits of Laura and Leslie, two teen-age girls from a coastal California town who travel across the country to attend an intense cheerleading bootcamp in the south.

Laura will be played by Daisy Eagan, who received a Tony Award at age 12 for her portrayal of Mary Lennox opposite Mandy Patinkin in “The Secret Garden.” Eagan is the youngest actress to ever win a Tony.

Leslie will be portrayed by Amanda Duarte, who was recently seen in “Old Money” at TheatreWorks. At Aurora Theatre, she earned Critics Circle award nominations for her performances in “Tough!” and “The Philanderer.”

The cast also features Jackson Davis, Julia Brothers, Sarah Lord, Makela Spielman, Cassie Beck and Rachel Rajput.

“Be Aggressive” will be directed by Wendy C. Golberg, who is the Artistic Associate at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C.

Evening performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays (no show Aug. 13); 8 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays; and 7 p.m., Sundays, July 28, Aug. 4 and 11. There also will be matinees at 2 p.m., Saturdays, July 27 and Aug. 3.

Tickets are $20-$43; discounts are available for youths, students, seniors and TheatreWorks members.

For tickets and more information, call 903-6000 or logon to www.theatreworks.org.