30 Plays Celebrate 30 Years
~ From HERE to Hong Kong ~
~ From HERE to Hong Kong ~
Rachel Reiner and Deborah Savadge
Coordinators, 30 Plays Initiative
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| Ludovica Villar-Hauser and League members at VILLAGE STORIES |
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| Fengar Gael with League members who attended Island of No Tomorrows on November 11th. Scrapbook: THIRTY PLAYS EVENTS January, 2012 to January, 2013 |
JANUARY, 2013
January 26th -8pm
Village Stories
Curated by Ludovica Villar-Hauser
Curated by Ludovica Villar-Hauser
Conceived by Antoinette LaVecchia
a
tapestry of tragedy, comedy, meemories, oral traditions, songs and
music - a collage of Italian ancestry from the small village of San Rufo
- proving that the universe can be seen in a grain of sand.
“Village Stories,” memories Antoinette LaVecchia’s mother
told her from the time she was a child, epitomizes the riches of heritage and
the beauty of the people of a village in Southern Italy. They recall a time when story-telling was valued
as a means to communicate humor, zest for life,
gossip, scandals, miracles, ironies, history and colorful characters.
We saw a portion
of a larger production which will include an ensemble of actors and musicians. Antoinette, in a stunning red dress, engaged
the audience immediately and interspersed stories with songs of longing, despair,
hope, and nostalgia. She defines her stories as “a collage of Italian ancestry
proving that the universe can be seen in a grain of sand.”
Art
collector and dealer Janos Aranyl and his partner Theresa Llorente, hosted the
salon evening at their home with a superb buffet and Italian wines. Directed by
Ludovica Villar-Hauser, with glorious musical accompaniment by pianist Melody
Fader and the composer-arranger John T. La Barbera’s virtuosity with guitar,
mandolin, and mouth harp, “Village Stories” was received by the SRO audience
with a standing ovation.
The final event of the 30 Plays Celebrate 30
years initiative concluded in high style.
~ Mari Lyn Henry ~
January 25th
New Chinese Writing: WOMEN IN THE ROOM
Curated by Janice Poon
HONG KONG
HONG KONG
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| Janice Poon, Curator, Women in the Room |
For more information and the complete calendar
and Blog30
Wednesday, December 12
Cherry Lane Theater 38 Commerce St, NY, NY
Curated by Harriet Slaughter
Curated by Harriet Slaughter
Women’s Words − poetry by P. J. Gibson, Carol Hall, Anne Hamilton, Mira Spektor, Harriet Slaughter, Gayl Teller and other poets.
Cara Reichel directs. Melody Berger will provide incidental music.
$20 general admission;
Cara Reichel directs. Melody Berger will provide incidental music.
$20 general admission;
seniors,
students $12. League members use code LPTW for
$10 tickets.
https://ovationtix.com/trs/918299/prm/LPTW.
~ This event is a benefit for the League ~
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| Harriet Slaughter curator of Women's Words, with cast and some of the League members in the audience at the Cherry Lane. |
Women's Words could not be thwarted by Hurricane Sandy! Rescheduled
until December at the Cherry Lane Theatre, it was a lively evening
curated by Harriet Slaughter, featuring a dialogue of women's poetry as
expressed by the poets themselves: P.J. Gibson, Carol Hall, Anne
Hamilton, Harriet Slaughter, Mira J. Spektor and Gayl Teller. The poems
were expertly woven together by themes: Poets On Poetry, A Woman's
World, Romance, Travel and Adventure, City Life and Friendship. Some
poems were epic and others were a few short lines. They were framed by a
wonderful violinist and an observer who acted as an audience and
reacted to the poems. A number of the passages were spoken in unison,
very few rhymed, and some were very lyrical or told a complete
story. It was a unique evening in the 30 Plays Celebrate 30 Years
Festival and a lovely showcase of members' work.
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| Rachel Reiner, Abigail Rose Solomon (curator,) Jennifer Maisel (playwright,) Janice Maffei and Deborah Savadge were among those members who gathered for the December 2nd matinee of THE LAST SEDER in celebration of the League's 30th year. |
Sunday, December 2nd
The Last Seder
3:00 pm at Theatre Three
311 W. 43rd St. (btw. 8th & 9th Aves)
Curated by Abigail Rose Solomon
Rosalind Productions Inc. presents the New York Premiere of The Last Seder by award-winning playwright, Jennifer Maisel, directed by Jessica Bauman. Four sisters return, with their various significant others, for the final Passover celebration at their childhood home, before their mother puts their father in a nursing home and sells the house.
Talkback for League members.
Tickets $18.
Tickets $18.
November 30- December 23
The Interart
Theatre Development Series
presented
LITTLE IMAGES
Written by Glenda Frank Directed by Edie Cowan
Thursday, November 29
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
Interart Theatre
Curated by Glenda Frank
Little Images
by Glenda Frank
directed by Edie Cowan
The
artists, Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, struggle to create art, sustain their marriage, and
battle personal demons. Offering advice are some of their closest friends
and enemies.
www.glendafrank.comCAST
LEE KRASNER . . . . . . . . . Darcie Siciliano
JACKSON POLLOCK . . . . Brad Cover
MILLIE BARRINGTON . . . . Ana Maria Jomoica
DERRICK SMITH . . . . . . . . .Richard Bekins
BILL DE KOONING
TIM ADAMS
BENITO Pamphili
HANS HOFMANN . . . . . . . Michael Pemberton
JOHN CONKLIN
Elaine de KOONING . . . . Amanda Mantovani
LEE’S ASSISTANT
NARRATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . .Edie Cowan
STAGE MANAGER . . . . . . .Sean McCain
.jpg) |
| Lorca Peress, Yvette Heyliger, Rachel Reiner and the writers and performers of A Seat at the Table. |
Monday, November 12
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Curated by Yvette Heyliger
A Seat at the Table
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Curated by Yvette Heyliger
A Seat at the Table
An evening of concert readings of ten minute plays and
excerpts, penned by women dramatists of color in response to the lack of
production opportunities nationally for women in theatre, and women dramatists of color in
particular. A Talk Back with a reception to follow.
Workshop Theatre--Main Stage, 312 West 36th Street, 4th floor
Free Admission. Wheelchair accessible.
By subway: 1, 2, 3, A, B, C to 34th Street.
Made possible in part by LMCC's Manhattan Community Arts Fund.
Sunday, November 11
3:00pm at Interart
500 West 52nd Street, #2W (West of 10th Avenue)
Curated by Lorca Peress
The Island of No Tomorrows,
MultiStages New Works Winner written by Fengar Gael, directed by Lorca
Peress, Joyce Liao Lighting Design, OBIE Winner Jan Hartley Projection
Design. Matinee followed by a Talk Back
Cast: Richarda Abrams* Jen Anaya* Debra Cardona* Pedro Carmo, Veronica Cruz* Alexis Lauren Kinney* Lina Sarrello* Alexis Sweeney
This
world premiere is an exotic, erotic, utopian fantasia with singing,
dancing and lavish projections … but in all fractured fairy tales,
things go bump in the night. Dare to behold this madcap exploration of
sexual subjugation, political oppression, and the challenges of
parenting in the electronic age
Original Music by Anika Paris and Nancy Binns Reed; OBIE Winner Jan Hartley, Projection Design; Joyce Liao, Lighting Design; Bruce Baumer, Music Director; Theresa Burns, Choreographer; Costume Design by Mark Richard Caswell and Jessa-Raye Court; Jessica V. Urtecho* Production Stage Manager; Postcard Illustration by Fengar Gael
Cast: Richarda Abrams* Jen Anaya* Debra Cardona* Pedro Carmo, Veronica Cruz* Alexis Lauren Kinney* Lina Sarrello* Alexis Sweeney
* members of AEA
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| Lorca Peress, Fengar Gael and members of The Island of No Tomorrows ciompany. |
*Thursday, November 8
7:30pm at Bohemian National Hall
321 E. 73rd St., NY, NY
Curated by Marcy Arlin and Gwynn MacDonald
The Immigrants’ Theatre Project presents a new Czech play by Radmila Adamova from Eastern European Playwrights: Women Write the New, plays from Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic. Admission is free.
The cast included League member, Kitty Chen.
The cast included League member, Kitty Chen.
.JPG) |
| photo credit for AliceGraceAnon, curated by Susan Bernfield: Jim Baldassare |
Wednesday, October 24
New Georges Theatre Co.
8 pm
Ironworks, Brooklyn, NY
New Georges Theatre Co.
8 pm
Ironworks, Brooklyn, NY
Alicegraceanon by Kara Lee corthron, directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni
free beer/seltzer for Privilege bracelet-wearers
free beer/seltzer for Privilege bracelet-wearers
Curated by Susan Bernfield
FEATURING Carolyn Baeumler, Eric Clem, Matt Dellapina,
Teresa Avia Lim, Christina Pumariega
accompanied by the SPECTACLE BRIGADE
and, live and in person, THE TUNED-IN!*
Teresa Avia Lim, Christina Pumariega
accompanied by the SPECTACLE BRIGADE
and, live and in person, THE TUNED-IN!*
DESIGN by Marcelo Anez, Nick Francone, Liam O'Brien,
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, Rachel Schapira
psm Danielle Teague-Daniels music director Ralph CapassoJeanette Oi-Suk Yew, Rachel Schapira
props Rachel Graf Evans choreography Emily Edwards
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| AliceGraceAnon curated by Susan Bernfield photo by Jim Baldassare |
Wednesday, October 10 Cherry Lane Theatre, 7 pm
Commerce Street, east of 7th Ave.
Curated by Pat Addiss
Turning Page
the story of Geraldine Page
starring her daughter.
Angelica Page
Reserved seating for LPTW bracelet-wearers
Reserved seating for LPTW bracelet-wearers
LPTW Fund Raiser
The event was Standing Room Only.
~ The play continues its run at the Cherry Lane ~
The event was Standing Room Only.
~ The play continues its run at the Cherry Lane ~
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| Pat Addiss and some of the League members who attended Turning Page |
Monday, October 1
SWEETIE, THE NEW MUSICAL BY
GAIL KRIEGEL
DIRECTED BY PAT BIRCH
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, IVY
AUSTIN
PRODUCER, PATRICIA B. SNYDER
THE
PERSHING SQUARE SIGNATURE CENTER, THE IRENE DIAMOND STAGE
Sweetie is
based on a true story about a minister who organized a street band of teenaged
black and white orphans living in South Carolina in the depression era of the
1930s. Sweetie, played beautifully by
Natalie Wachen, is the biracial illegitimate daughter of a white prostitute.
Her singing gifts are quickly recognized by the married minister who is also attracted to her beauty. The scenes shift
from the 1930s to the early 1940s. The rhythms of the original music is
authentic for the period and highlighted with Christian hymns.
Kudos
to the wonderful cast of young talented performers and the pianist Michael
Mitchell who accompanied them.
Thanks
to Dr. Patricia D. Snyder for engaging famed director/choreographer Patricia
Birch and to Erika Mallin, Executive Director
of the Signature Theatre Company and co-curator. The audience outreach focused on attracting
teens and their families to the staged reading.
Friday, September
21
Open Source Gallery Studios
306 17th St., Brooklyn, NY, 8:00 pm
Curated by Cheryl Davis and Anne Phelan
Open Source Gallery Studios
306 17th St., Brooklyn, NY, 8:00 pm
Curated by Cheryl Davis and Anne Phelan
The Tiger Play, by Anne Phelan. Director: Tamara Fisch,
CAST: Michael Raimondi (Louis Roth)
Katherine McLeod (Mabel Stark)
Rajay, the Bengal tiger (Kevin Loreque)
Director, Tamara Fisch read the stage directions
Dramahound Productions collaborated with the Open Source Gallery in their intimate space
to present a reading of the
true-life story of tiger tamer Mabel Stark and her husband Louis Roth:
circus, whips and 12 shows a week. Never come between a woman and her tiger!
Beer, wine and seltzer was on offer for bracelet-wearers. The lively discussion which followed included conversation about animal rights, Mabel Stark's history, and Anne Phelan's process in expanding the play from a one-act to a full-lenth play.
http://www.annephelan.com/thetigerplay
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| THE CANOLA PROJECT |
Saturday, August 11
The Canola Project
a site-specific experiment in text, dance, music, design and projection.
Curated by Lynda Adams
lynda.adams@rdc.ab.ca
LEAGUE members may contact Lynda for information on accomodations.
The Canola Project
AT CLOSE RANGE
a
site-specific performance work where farming, industry and nature intersect
Saturday, August 11 in Central Alberta, Canada
Ellis Bird Farm on Prentiss Road East of
Lacombe, Alberta
4:00 – 4:45 pm – Preliminary Event
A reading of Heirlooms co-written by Gerry Trentham
& Lynda Adams
Choreography by Gerry
Trentham and danced by Peggy Glasgo
Ellis Bird Farm Tea
House (limited seating available)
5:00 – 5:30pm – AT CLOSE RANGE
Created by Lynda Adams,
Bretta Gerecke, Mieko Ouchi
Sound design by Morgan McKee
Performance in local
farm field near Ellis Bird Farm
(Meet at Ellis Bird Farm
parking lot at 4:45pm)
The Canola Project is a series of site-specific interdisciplinary
events, that aims to bring community together, in theatrical presentations
illuminating the impact central Alberta farm practices has on the human and
geographical landscape of central Alberta.
Heirlooms’ is a one woman show, depicting the
struggles that farm wife Mary encounters when her husband dies. It was commissioned by the Red Deer Museum
and Art Gallery Farm Show, 2011.
At Close Range is an interactive experiential
event involving community in performance.
For information go to Canola Project Facebook Page
Monday, June 25
7:00 pm
Manhattan Theatre Club Studios
311 West 43rd Street, 8th Floor
Resonance Ensemble presents a free staged reading of Robin Rice Lichtig’s play Women w/o Walls, inspired by Sartre’s No Exit and Dante’s Inferno. Four strong female characters share a ride on an express subway that turns out to be a frightening and eye-opening trip. Reception to follow.
www.ResonanceEnsemble.org
Reservations: info@resonanceensemble.org
Reserved seats for LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers.
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| Rachel Reiner introduces a 30 Plays event presented by Resonance Theatre Co. at Manhattan Theatre Club Studios. League members Shaun Bennet Wilson (second from left) and Romy Nordlinger (far right) were two in the talented four-person cast. |
Thursday, June 7
at 7:30pm
Peter Norton SYMPHONYSPACE - Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater
2537 Broadway - at 95t Street NYC - - www.symphonyspace.org
Tickets: $30 , Children & Groups $20
TWO FOLK OPERAS
Curated by Mira Spektor and Carolyn Balducci
GIOVANNI THE FEARLESS - Based on an Italian Folk Tale
Music by Mira J Spektor - Libretto by Carolyn Balducci
Music Direction: Barbara Ames - Stage Director: Karen Carpenter
I WISH, I WISH, I WISH - Based on a Japanese Folk Tale
Music by Julie Mandel - Libretto by Eugene Mandel
Music Direction: Barbara Ames - Stage Director: Mary Kunicki
Also Songs by NYWC : Binnette Lipper on a poem by WH Auden,
Nailah Nombeko on poems by William Blake
Judi Silvano on poems by William Cullen Bryant
Vocal Artists: Lilah Gosman, Dominique Grelsamer, Bill Krakauer,
Angela Leson, Shanon Roberts, Hillary Schranze, Dory Schultz, Mark Singer
Piano: Barbara Ames - Guest flute: Susan Friedlander
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| Julie Crosby with League members and their guests after a performance of We Play for the Gods |
League members who attended We Play for the Gods reported: "Great to see such accomplished actors on a terrific set with clever costumes and some very interesting collaboration among League writers. The champagne and chocolate afterwards, courtesy of the WP, was much appreciated. Special thanks to curator Julie Crosby. It's always a pleasure to spend time at the Cherry Lane."
Cherry Lane Theatre
38 Commerce St., NY, NY
Curated by Julie Crosby
Women’s Project Theater presents the world premiere of We Play For The Gods, in previews, conceived and created by the 16 artists of the WP Lab. This special performance will be followed by a reception for LPTW members. weplayforthegods.com
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| At NYTW's FOOD and FADWA, Natasha Lee Martin, Oriettta Crespino, Linda Chapman and co-author Jacob Kader
Thursday, May 24, 2012
6:30pm Pre-Show Discount Cocktails at Cucina Di Pesce87 E. 4th St., NY, NY 8:00pm Preview Performance at NYTW 79 E. 4th St., NY, NY Curated by Linda S. Chapman New York Theatre Workshop and Noor Theatre present Food and Fadwa by Lameece Issaq and Jacob Kader; directed by Shana Gold. Fadwa Faranesh, known for delectable cooking and sense of duty to her family, insists on continuing preparations for her younger sister’s wedding, despite constraints of daily life under occupation in the politically volatile West Bank. A humorous and heartbreaking new play melding the fight a Palestinian family wages to hold onto its culture with its celebration of love, joy and hope. www.nytw.org LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers can purchase $25 discounted tickets at the box office, in person or over the phone, at 212-279-4200. |
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| Coordinator, Rachel Reiner and Ben launch the 30 Plays |
Sunday, May 20
3:00pm Space on White, 81 White St, between Broadway and Lafayette
Mind The Gap Theatre
presented
LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers.
Curator: PAULA D'ALLESSANDRIS
A talkback followed.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ViKoMT9Ac8U&feature=youtu.be
3:00pm Space on White, 81 White St, between Broadway and Lafayette
Mind The Gap Theatre
presented
the US premiere of Georgia Fitch's adrenalin...heart
Sex, race, drugs and words collide in this 70
minute roller coaster ride through the relationship of a single mum and
a reluctant drug dealer on a North London estate.
Wine and nibbles pre and post-show for LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers.
Curator: PAULA D'ALLESSANDRIS
A talkback followed.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Saturday, May 19
2:00pm Central Park, New York, NY
Curated by Anne Hamilton
The Stacy Play − A Love Song-Volume I. Hamilton directs a staged reading walking tour of her modern pageant play. Audience meets at the NW corner of 66th St. and 5th Ave to be led to The Mall. We follow Stacy and Jonathan, her dead teenage friend, to eight stations along Literary Walk, ending at Bethesda Fountain. Bring something to sit on; the audience will walk between locations.
Discussion: hamiltondramaturgy.wordpress.
Friday, May 11
Lanie Zipoy presented Theatre Bridge Memphis, staged readings:
Theatre Bridge Memphis announced the three short American plays for the May 11th event. Three outstanding playwrights — Bekah Brunstetter, Cheryl L. Davis and Lia Romeo — had work presented as part of the inaugural festival.
For more details, visit www.theatrebridgememphis.com
Memphis, Tennessee
Curated by Lanie Zipoy
April events:
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| Rachel Reiner,
Lenore DeKoven, Carrie Robbins, Mari Lyn Henry, Jenny Lyn Bader,
Dorothy Olim, Lorca Peress, Deborah Savadge and Lauren Scott at DRAGON
TALES, Curated by Carrie Robbins, April 2012 |
Dragon Tales, A Dark Quartet
Carrie Robbins curated an evening of short plays that she
wrote based on many conversations with and stories by RD Robbins MD. The first act consisted of three plays: The Dragon Griswynd, Dr. Schizo and excerpts from The Death and Life of Dr. Cutter, A
Vaudeville. The second act was one
piece, The Diamond Eater, about a man
who went to great lengths to survive during the Holocaust. Deborah Savadge directed the pieces in the
first act and Robert Kalfin directed The
Diamond Eater. Carrie framed and
gave context to the evening with introductory remarks about Alzheimer’s and
Pancreatic Cancer. There was excellent
use of projections by Annie Cleveland and Carrie Robbins to enhance the
storytelling. While the subject matter
was certainly serious, there was a tremendous amount of irony and the theme of
people trying to connect with each other was a primary focus.
Friday, April 13th at 7 pm
The Play Room Theatre, 151 West 46th Street, 8th floor NYC
Reception follows for LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers
Curated by Carrie Robbins
Days of the Giants presented a reading of Dragon Tales...a Dark Quartet,
one-acts by Robbins. A Somewhat UN-comfortable Evening (with visual
aides) comprised of The Dragon Griswynd and Dr. Schizo/Boxes Within
Boxes (directed by Deborah Savadge), The Diamond Eater and excerpts from
The Death & Life of Dr. Cutter, A Vaudeville, a scene and a song or
two (directed by Robert Kalfin.) Four short pieces examining the human
spirit and assorted ways to die... by old age, by poison gas, by
disease, and by choice.
The fine cast included Equity members: Charles Turner, Ivy Austin, Erika Rolfsrud, Scott Schaefer and Jed Peterson.
The fine cast included Equity members: Charles Turner, Ivy Austin, Erika Rolfsrud, Scott Schaefer and Jed Peterson.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
8:00pm at Interart Theatre
500 W. 52nd St. (corner of 10th Ave.) NY, NY
Curated by Jessica Burr
The Storm by Aleksandr Ostrovsky; Translated and
adapted by Laura Wickens; directed by Jessica Burr.
Called the most poetic of all Russian plays, The Storm is
a dangerous fusion of romance and immorality unleashed
as its heroine attempts to escape her loveless marriage
through forbidden passion while living in a small town
full of hypocrisy and righteousness. The intensity of Ostrovsky’s story and Wickens’ choice of language, rhythm, and scene structure, combine to create a play that is resonant, moving, and surprisingly funny.
LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers League benefits include $15 discounted tickets (from $18), a free cocktail voucher with each ticket, and an invitation to the opening night party.
Blessed Unrest on Saturday April 14th celebrated an excellent opening
night of their production "The Storm". The dark tale of forbidden love
by Aleksandr Nicolaevich Ostrovsky was presented by a superb
ensemble cast, led by Jessica Burr. The adaptation by Laura Wickins was
enhanced by Blessed Unrest's signature dance and movement
interpretation. In their first-ever attempt to build an actual set,
the utilization of all four walls and a multi-leveled playing area
was a delight as was the surprise of the way the production used water. The
show will run at the InterArt Theatre, 500 West 52nd St.
through May 7th. www.blessedunrest.org
Tuesday, April 24
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| Barbara Masry (3rd from right) hosted League members at the cell |
6:45pm at the cell
338 W. 23rd St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.) NY, NY
Curated by Barbara Sutton MasryA play reading of KIKA, about the struggles of a young, bourgeois mid-20th century artist who attempts to escape the rigidity of her life through her art. Written by Barbara Sutton Masry. Petronia Paley, Director. Cast includes Maja Wampuszyc, Tim Fitzpatrick, Gena Bardwell, Jack Gindi, and Diane Tyler. A post-reading discussion will be led by Maxine Kern. Seating limited, reservations required.
Call 516-316-9407 with name, phone number and number of seats or barbaramasry@hotmail.com to reserve.original art work for LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers
MARCH events
When Danny Comes Back For Us,
When Danny Comes Back For Us,
by Deborah Savadge
Tuesday, March 13th at 7:30
The Drilling Co.
236 West 78th Street, Second floor
a staged reading, directed by Elaine Molinaro
Cast: Lyndsay Becker, John Doherty,
Meghann Garmany Jed Peterson
and David Crommett as the offstage voice
and David Crommett as the offstage voice
 |
| Milliie Barranger, Julie Sylvester, Melanie Sutherland, Yana Landowne, Debbie Slevin, Susan Laubach, Deborah Savadge, Rachel Reiner, Ruth Mayleas, Pam Sousa, Mary Fengar Gael, Carrie Robbins, Sandra Gorney, Jenny Lyn Bader, Ruth Mayleas, Mari Lyn Henry at the reading of WHEN DANNY COMES BACK FOR US by Deborah Savadge |
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| Jed Peterson and Lyndsay Becker |
Tuesday, March 13 NY, NY
Curated by Deborah Savadge
Playwrights
Gallery and The Drilling Co. present
Lyndsay Becker, David Crommett,
John Doherty, Meghann Garmany
and
Jed Peterson in a staged reading of
When Danny Comes Back For Us, by Deborah Savadge,
directed by Elaine Molinaro.
7:30 pm At the Drilling Company, 2nd floor
236 West 78th St, New York City
free wine/seltzer for LPTW Privilege Bracelet-wearers
www.playwrightsgallery.com
When Danny Comes Back For Us had a previous developmental reading at Julia Miles' Reading Room. It was well-received by an enthusiastic audience which included more than a dozen League members. That evening it was selected by Cell Theatre Artistic Director, Kira Simring, to move from The Drilling Company to the Cell for an additional staged reading.
When Danny Comes Back For Us had a previous developmental reading at Julia Miles' Reading Room. It was well-received by an enthusiastic audience which included more than a dozen League members. That evening it was selected by Cell Theatre Artistic Director, Kira Simring, to move from The Drilling Company to the Cell for an additional staged reading.
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| Lenore DeKoven and League members at the DOWNSIZING opening |
10-Minute Play Project
Curated by Lenore DeKoven
30 Plays Celebrate 30 Years March 2, 2012
DOWNSIZING, The 10-Minute
Play Project, was presented by Lenore DeKoven’s Our Workshop East on March 2,
2012 at TBG Mainstage Theatre at 312 West 36th Street in New York
City.
True to its title, DOWNSIZING
was the overall theme and organizing principle of Lenore DeKoven’s Our Workshop
East, a group of twenty-two actors, ten directors, and nine writers who performed,
directed and wrote twelve original ten-minute plays as part of the League’s 30th
Anniversary celebration. The Workshop is
a self-described development gym where its trained professional members
exercise their creative muscles and further refine their craft. Our Workshop East is an extraordinarily
talented, imaginative group, all of whom have active careers in film,
television, and theatre.
DOWNSIZING encompassed a wide
range of subjects – some relating to such present-day economic woes as corporate
staff reduction; eliminating such female luxuries as spas, exercise, dance, and
cooking classes; stock market cycles and theories; selling prized paintings to unappreciative
philistines – to more mundane and/or fanciful themes involving pregnancies,
bedbugs, and maxed-out credit cards. The
playlets gave an interesting, only sometimes serious, view of our life and
times.
On the fanciful side was a
fetching three-part sketch, “Fortunes Fable,” interspersed through the evening,
telling of a bag lady and a small
harried man who meet at a bus stop, and ending with his announcement of riches
gained through collectible pennies she gave him as change in their previous
encounter (in which she sold him a whirligig).
“Just Us” shows three
expense-cutting ladies who, it turns out, are married to and take care of the
same man. Rather than cut back on their
somewhat indulgent expenses -- spas, classes, and the like -- they decide they
should solve their problems by getting rid of their major expense: him! “Fitful Sleepers” shows indulgence gone wild
with one man and two women, one of whose new lover is absconding with the
remaining trust fund on which they all depend. “Book Club,” is a plaintive tale of two young
people who have come to her stripped bare, near-desolate apartment
to discuss Middlemarch, while she suffers the ultimate “downsize,” in her
battle with bedbugs. “Leave’s” very
pregnant department head is called in by her boss to fire her division’s workers
who have, ironically, assembled to give her a baby shower.
Members of 2012 Our Workshop
East, coincidentally celebrating its 30th anniversary, are: Marco
Ajello, Jose Casado, Rocio Gimenez, Barbara Haas, Adam Hall, Danielle
Holmstrom, Patricia Janvier, David Kim,
Adrian Kelterborn, Jon Lonoff, Natasha Nussberg, Karen Odyniec, Lally Ross, Kim
Spurlock, Marcin Stawarz, Yaara Sumeruk.
Additionally, the following six alumni -- Cheryl Monroe, Michael
Johnson, David Kester, Rebecca Roe, Renee Torriere and Robert Yarnell -- participated
in the event. Other credits include
Daisy Long, Lighting Design; Sophie Quist, Production Stage Manager; Vincent
Augusto, Esan Paydar, Eddie Smucygz, Eric Villiers, Running Crew.
by Ruth Mayleas
Friday, March 2nd 
Alice in Black and White
a new play by Robin Rice Lichtig
directed by Kelli Lynn Harrison
featuring
Margot Avery* Chris Harcum* Jennifer Loryn* Annie McGovern* Deborah Jean Morgan* Craig Pospisil and Jacqeline Sydney*
Monday, February 6th
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Reading begins at 7:30 PM
Discussion w/ playwright to follow
The Speakeasy Room @ The Gin Mill
442 Amsterdam (btwn 81st & 82nd)
Two-Drink Tickets for $12 at Door
Pub Food Menu Available
*denotes AEA Member
We enjoyed a glass of wine and hearing a fine cast read Robin RiceLichtig's intriguing new play about women artists, loves and losses. Kelli Lynn Harrison's inventive staging suited the cozy downstairs space at The Speakeasy.
Privilege bracelet-wearers received a free ticket to the 3Gaces Raffle.
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Co-creators Jenny Lyn Bader and Melissa Tien with other League members at Jackson Heights 3 AMTuesday, January 24, 2012
The League of Professional Theatre Women hosts
30 Plays Celebrate 30 Years
to commemorate the League's 30th anniversary
The third in our series:
JACKSON HEIGHTS, 3AM
Curated by Jenny Lyn
Bader
A drag queen tussles with a
fan; an Indian livery cab driver
falls in love with an Ecuadoran baker; an enslaved sex worker plans her
escape; a deranged man rages against
his landlady’s dog; a closeted cop meets his date’s father. Gambling,
matchmaking, mangoes, insomnia and the ER – worlds collide in Jackson Heights, 3AM.
Conceived and directed by Ari Laura
Kreith, collaboratively written by Jenny Lyn Bader,
J. Stephen Brantley, Ed
Cardona Jr., Les Hunter, Tom Miller, Melisa Tien and Joy Tomasko, the
play is a multi-lingual, multi-cultural collage
of intriguing, interconnected stories, staged fluidly and minimally. One
League member's review of the production: it's, “Why we
got into theatre in the first place.” Theatremania called it “a
sheer delight from beginning to end.”
For a performance of the play in the neighborhood that is
its subject, an intrepid group of League members met up on a snowy Saturday and
were rewarded with a theatrical treat.
Thanks to curator, Jenny Lyn Bader’s invitation, we learned that Jackson
Heights is a quick subway ride on an E, F, R or 7 train, parking is easy, the Theatre
167 venue, warm and inviting. The play moves to Queens Playhouse for its
final week.
Cast: Roberto
Araujo, Varin Ayala*, Farah Bala*, Cynthia Bastidas, Rajesh Bose*, J. Stephen
Brantley, Arlene Chico-Lugo*, Ross DeGraw*, Nick Fehlinger, Marcelino
Feliciano, Kevin Hoffman, John P. Keller*, Alex Kip, Ephraim Lopez*, Neal
Mayer*, Nina Mehta*, Sergey Nagorny, Flor De Liz Perez*, Indika Senanayake*,
Josie Whittlesey* and Shivantha Wijesinha.
For
more information, visit queenstheatre.org or theatre167.org.
*members:
Actors’ Equity Association. AEA approved showcase
Friday, January 20 matinee reading of Woman on the Bridge, by Julia Pascal 
Julia Pascal (third
from left) gathers with other League members following the London
reading of her new play, WOMAN on the BRIDGE. The reading was the
League's second event in its series
30 Plays Celebrate 30 Years,
a year long celebration of the League of Professional Theatre Women's
30th anniversary. The reading was followed by a lively talkback.
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30 PLAYS 30 REPORT
ON “CHIMERA”
30 PLAYS 30 LAUNCH
PLACE: HERE/Dorothy
B. Williams Theater
DATE: THURSDAY,
JAN. 12
TIME: 7PM
LENGTH 75
MINUTES
CO-CREATORS Suli
Holum and Deborah Stein
First a special thank you to Kristin Marting, artistic director,
and Kim Whitener, producing
director of HERE for hosting a pre-show discussion
“cocktails and content” for League
members who attended as well as the free glass of wine
for wearing the Turning 30! Privilege
bracelet.
Program Notes: “A couple of years ago, Suli called Deborah
and pitched an idea
for a solo show: let's make a play about the medical
phenomenon of chimerism, the
condition of having two sets of DNA in one body---a play
about a woman (Jennifer Samuels)
who is her own twin.
The idea was both thrilling and challenging: a story about grappling
with the effects of technology on our daily lives would
demand that we create a performance
event with a dynamic exchange between the live performer,
the audience, and an abundance
of technology.”
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| Mari Lyn Henry (left of banner) and other LPTW members |
From My Seat by Mari Lyn Henry
The
set: The first thing you admire is the
kitchen set, a white refrigerator with
top loading freezer (stage right) then eight cupboard doors side by side under
a long counter (for sink, garbage disposal, stove unit) and stage left an
almost identical looking refrigeration unit which is a storage closet. One large window is centrally located on the
back wall.
This is the
most provocative piece of theatre not just for the subject matter
but also for all the
elements of presentation which are organic to the script.
At the
beginning we hear a female voice from the audience. When she appears she is
holding
a large white coffee cup. She engages us immediately.
Dressed in white shirt, capri
length pants and green sneakers, she connects with us and
then asks a gentleman in
the first row (where I was sitting) to hold the cup for her.
He does. Then she begins
to talk about Jennifer Samuels and her discovery that her
son Brian has a “pediatric
heart murmur” (the window has a shade that becomes a
projection screen) and you see the heart
and hear it beat. She cannot
accept that her DNA is responsible for this condition and persuades her husband
to get tested. The child's DNA is different from that of his birth parents and
that is where the exploration and discussion of “chimerism” takes root.
Suli also
portrays Brian, the eight year old son (wearing dark framed glasses) who is
abandoned by the mother when she cannot accept the truth. The boy can talk to
us from the top of the
refrigerator or from the open window. A truly wonderful example of surrealism
occurs when Suli is
swallowed up head first by the garbage disposal.
The sound
design is masterful. You hear the sounds of the garbage disposal, water running
from the faucet, a knife slicing
lemons. There are no props; some costume
accessories which she produces
from her clothing, others in the storage closet. An
interactive moment occurs when an audience
member is asked to pull her corset strings as tight as
possible.
There are
superb visual effects: the stars, the
universe, the large moon that can be seen through the window and the moving
images of two people projected on the surfaces of the set.
The music
can sound ominous and choices of ambient sounds are used to enhance the
narrative.
The
definition of chimera comes from Greek mythology. It refers to an
organism having tissues of two or more kinds differing
genetically. It could mean
a fire breathing monster with a lion's head, goat's body and
a dragon's tail.
At one
point Suli rhetorically asks : What is a
person? What is the relationship
between DNA and the soul?
The mother she suggests made an
irrational choice to abandon
her 8 year old son.
She felt she had given birth to a “broken” baby. and could not
overcome her guilt of not being able to love him.
Suli and
Deborah have created a masterful, intelligent,imaginative, thought provoking,
and extraoridnary piece of theatre. Suli's connection to the audience impressed
me so
much when I saw how the gentleman held the coffee cup she
gave him like it
was expensive porcelain. When she finally retrieved it from
him, he said quietly,
“It got cold.”
What a terrific launch for 30 Plays Celebrate 30 Years!
