The Bottoming Process
A World Premiere Production
May 18 - June 12, 2023
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Written by Nicholas Pilapil
Directed by Rodney To
Starring George Salazar, Rick Cosnett, Anisha Adusumilli, Julia Cho, and Ty Molbak
Presented by IAMA Theatre Company, Stefanie Black, artistic director and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx, artistic director
MORE LOVE FOR THE BOTTOMING PROCESS:
“COMPLEX… ABOUT THE DESIRE TO BE LOVED IN A WORLD THAT TELLS YOU THAT YOU ARE UNLOVABLE… [PLAYWRIGHT NICHOLAS] PILAPIL’S VOICE AND COMMENTARY SHINED.”
— STEVEN VARGAS, LOS ANGELES TIMES
“A STRONG SCRIPT, A TERRIFIC CAST, AND SOLID DIRECTION… AN INTELLIGENT PLAY ABOUT RACE, ASSUMPTIONS, APPROPRIATION, AND WHITE PRIVILEGE… AVOIDS THE EASY ANSWERS AND SIMPLE VILLAINS.”
— ANTHONY BYRNES, KCRW 89.9 FM
“FUNNY… PACKED WITH POP CULTURAL REFERENCES… THE LOVE CHILD OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND QUEER AS FOLK, BUT WRITTEN IN LA-SPEAK… PLAYWRIGHT NICHOLAS PILAPIL HAS QUITE A UNIQUE AND SHARP VOICE.”
— WILLIAM C., STAGE AND CINEMA
IAMA Theatre Company joins forces with the Los Angeles LGBT Center for the next production in its 2023 “Jubilee Season.” The world premiere of The Bottoming Process by Nicholas Pilapil, directed by Rodney To, will take place at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theatre in Hollywood as a co-production between the two companies.
Two writers meet and fall in love — or something like it. Milo (Lucille Lortel Award-winning, multiple Drama Desk Award nominated actor George Salazar, Be More Chill, The Lightning Thief, NBC’s Superstore) is a fledgling writer who’s mostly funny on Twitter. John (Rick Cosnett, The Flash) is a famed novelist. John is nearing middle age, while Milo is flailing through his twenties. John is white — and Milo is definitely not. As they mate, date and cohabitate, they grapple with issues of race, sex, power and the model minority myth, all to find out who’s really on top.
“We are proud to work in partnership to lift and celebrate queer, Filipinx American experiences with The Bottoming Process. There is a long legacy of championing new voices at IAMA, and of exceptional LGBTQ+ storytelling at the Center’s historic Renberg Theatre. As two nonprofit organizations committed to the life-changing power of storytelling, we recognize this collaboration as an exciting leap towards growth, sustainability and allyship within our changing landscapes,” said IAMA artistic director Stefanie Black and Los Angeles LGBT Center artistic director Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx in a joint statement.
The creative team for The Bottoming Process includes scenic designer Christopher Scott Murillo; lighting designer Josh Epstein; sound designer Jeff Gardner; projections designer Nicholas Santiago; costume designer Elena Flores; properties designers Michael O’Hara and Rye Mandel; intimacy director Carly DW Bones; and casting director Jordan Bass. IAMA ensemble member Adrián González is associate director. Tiffany Moon is lead producer, Katharine Means is co-producer, Patricia Sutherland is the production manager, and Lars McCuen Van is the production stage manager.
Performances of The Bottoming Process will take place May 18 through June 12, with previews beginning May 13.
