La Jolla DNA takes medicine, science and surfing and weaves them into a story about mankind's efforts to understand what has been called "the thread of life" -- DNA. It features songs that are much more pop rock than Broadway, according to its creators, Dr. Jonathan Michael Licht, Gary Hyde and Douglas Foxworthy. Performing the music will be long-time San Diego favorites The Heroes, who are serving as the house band. The play's impressive and extremely experienced production team also includes such well-known San Diego arts veterans as director William Virchis, choreographer Jean Isaacs and producer Fran Palmer.
The musical focuses on a charismatic doctor named Saul Bennett, who has been unable to transform his dilapidated "Center for Advanced Treatment" into the gleaming institute of his dreams. Bennett longs to be a successful scientist, businessman and healer, but he is failing at all three. Because he so fervently believes that deciphering DNA will bring miracle cures for his patients, he prays desperately to it. Bennett's savior turns out to be not a molecular structure, however, but one of his patients -- a wealthy young widow named Ava Bard, who must choose between believing in Bennett or biotech in her quest to get well and surf again.
La Jolla DNA features Brian Doig as Saul and Carol Abney as Ava. Also in the cast are Priscilla Allen, Teena Diggs, Jean Dugan, Melissa Hamilton, Wendy Hoover, Dino Huston, Robby Jacobson, Rob Johnston, Karla Kash, Gerry MacKinnon, Matthew Scott and Michael Sloan.
Songs by: Gary Hyde and Douglas Foxworthy
Book by: Jonathan Michael Licht, M.D.