Dan Ruth returns to the Los Angeles Stage with “Southern Goth,” as Part of Spookyfest at The Hobgoblin Playhouse in Hollywood

Dan Ruth is an Actor, Writer, Director and Storyteller who, before moving to Los Angeles, had called New York City his home since 1993. After a 10-year run of his solo play, A Life Behind Bars, Ruth returns to his rural roots with Southern Goth, his latest solo work; a dark, eerie and often funny collection of stories about growing up surrounded by the supernatural. Ruth is describing the new work as a semi-autobiographical memory play. “These stories, many of which have been in my family for decades, finally have some room to breathe,” Ruth says. As of July, the show consists of three works, “Some Kinda Witches,” “Shadows of Oregon Hill,” and an old favorite, a straight-up ghost story simply titled, “Ghost,” which originated as part of Ruth’s first solo play, entitled White Noise. “I honestly just love performing it,” Ruth says, “I recorded it live for the pandemic, and it was a fitting addition to Southern Goth, with its strong leanings toward the supernatural.”

Southern Goth takes place in parts of the southern and rural US, primarily in a very haunted Richmond, VA, during the 1980’s indie/goth scene. “It was a huge scene and it’s been both challenging and electric to dig back into those story coffers. Richmond was a wild animal back in the 80’s, and opened me up to small southern city life, punk and metal clubs, drag shows and urban myths and legends too juicy to not share. Although some characters have been fictionalized or amalgamated, the esoteric stories about my mother are all very true.” Ruth isn’t sharing much else. “All in good time,” Ruth laughs, “all in good time. It’s one-night-only, so don’t wait! Get your tickets now!”

Southern Goth is intended to be as authentic as possible. There will be loud music, references to drug use, adult situations and jump scares, as well as the use of incense and a brief moment with pipe smoke.

Dan is the editor of the LA Theatre website, LA Hidden Gems and has performed at the Rustic Theatre in Idyllwild, and nearly exclusively at the Whitefire Theatre on Ventura Blvd. Ruth has performed his original works throughout New York City at City Winery, Dixon Place, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, Theatre One (Theatre Row), The Gutter Bar, The Courtyard Playhouse, The Hamlet of Bank Street, The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama. Dan served as core Director for multiple installations of The A-Train Plays at the Sanford Meisner Theatre and as both Director and Performer for the queer comedy troupe Planet Q, with their productions of Yabba Dabba Q and The History of the World Part Q. Original solo shows include White Noise and Once a Catholic at The Duplex, where he also staged a radio Foley-drama entitled Lights Out, based on the work of horror radio master, Arch Oboler.  Regionally, Dan has starred in productions of Evita, Sunday in the Park with George, Brooklyn Boy, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Laughing Wild, Boys’ Life and Sex Drugs Rock & Roll.  Mr. Ruth is a member of Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA and The Dramatists Guild. He holds a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University.  

email: lastageny@gmail.com

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