The Great Unknown

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Patricia Miller and DiStar Productions/Diana Glazer are pleased to announce the world premiere production of  William Hauptman and Jimm Wann’s THE GREAT UNKNOWN, choreographed by Liza Gennaro and directed by Don Stephenson. THE GREAT UNKNOWN will play a limited engagement at the Theater at St. Clement’s (423 West 46^th Street, NYC). Performances begin Tuesday, October 5 and continue through Saturday, October 16.

The Great Unknown is a jubilant Americana musical about big dreams and even bigger risks.

Hoping to inspire and revive a fractured nation, one-armed Civil War veteran John Wesley Powell leads a daring expedition of veterans down the Colorado River to the Grand Canyon, in the spring of 1869. Aware of the physical dangers, Major Powell barely anticipates the emotional and spiritual challenges of the trip, leading back to the War. 

The guide of the expedition is Somers, who escaped from slavery and embraced the new world of the West.  Major Powell’s wife Emma Dean, a noted environmentalist of the day, is present in the minds and hearts of both Major Powell and his brother Walter, a survivor of Andersonville prison; as they are in hers.

With a contemporary folk/musical theatre score enhanced by environmental elements, The Great Unknown is an American musical adventure.

The production stars Tom Hewitt (Broadway: title role in Dracula, The Musical; Frank ‘N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), The Boys From Syracuse, Scar in The Lion King, The Sisters Rosenzweig) as Powell, Dan Amboyer (Play About the Naked Guy) as his brother Walter, Kristin Maloney (NYMF Alum War Brides and Liberty Smith) as his wife Emma and Bobby Daye (Broadway: Shrek, The Color Purple, The Lion King, and Smokey Joe’s Café) as Somers.

The production features scenic/props design by Edward K. Ross, costume design by Martin T. Lopez, and lighting design by Christopher E. Edwards. The sound designer is Daryl Bornstein.

Ritt Henn (Associate Music Director) will lead an onstage band of musicians composed of Liz Queler, Spiff Wiegand and Robin Daniels.

The Great Unknown plays the following schedule:

Tuesday, Oct 5th, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct 6th, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Sunday, Oct 10th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct 13th, 2010 at 5:00 pm

Friday, Oct 15th, 2010 at 9:00 pm

Saturday, Oct 16th, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Tickets are $20 and are available online at http://www.nymf.org/show-1393.html

Running Time: 95 minutes

Website: www.greatunknownmusical.com

Meet Connor

MTWorks Announces 2010-11 Season

Winner of three Planet Connections Theatre Festivity Awards, Maieutic Theatre Works (MTWorks) is pleased to announce their 2010-2011 Season beginning September 16th, 2010. The season will feature two world premieres, A Home Across The Ocean by Louisiana native and LGBTQ journalist Cody Daigle (Providence, Life/Play), and The Family Shakespeare by Georgia native and MTWorks' Artistic Director, David Stallings (Barrier Island, Anaïs Nin Goes To Hell). Directors Dev Bondarin (Gallery Players, Prospect Theatre Company) and Nicole A. Watson (Urban Stages, 52nd Street Project) are slated to direct. "This has been an exciting year for MTWorks" - shares Artistic Director David Stallings - "we are proudly moving into our fifth season with two plays vastly different in style, yet centered around family. A Home Across the Ocean is a poignant story that plays with the struggles that emerge when forming a gay family, exploring themes that are riddling today's papers. On the other hand, The Family Shakespeare is a play set in the eighteenth century exploring a fictionalized life of four siblings who in reality censored the complete works of William Shakespeare." The season will also include the company's annual reading series, The National NewBorn Festival; their director development program, Variations (this year showcasing Yerma by Federico Garcia Lorca); and their annual benefit featuring Broadway understudies, Underworld, along with additional workshops, talkbacks and special events. This marks MTWorks' fourth year developing new plays inspired by playwrights and regions outside of New York. Dates are confirmed for A Home Across The Ocean, playing from September 16th through October 2nd at Off-Broadway's Theatre Row Complex (410 W 42nd St), with performances on Tuesdays at 7pm, and Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are on sale at www.Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Tickets are also available at Theatre Row's box office open from 12pm - 8pm. For more information visit www.MTWorks.org
For press inquiries contact Antonio [at] KampfireFilmsPR [dot] com

30 Half-Nekkid Plays In 60 Half-Nekkid Minutes

Recently nominated for two New York Innovative Theatre Awards, NEW YORK NEO-FUTURISTS are pleased to present their 2nd Annual Half-Nekkid special edition of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND: 30 HALF-NEKKID PLAYS IN 60 HALF-NEKKID MINUTES will be presented at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003) on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st at 10:30pm.

Press is cordially invited to all performances.

The event that needs little introduction (and even less clothing) is here. A special half-naked version of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind will be performed the weekend of August 20th-21st. See the New York Neo-Futurists perform their award-winning blend of personal, political, hilarious and absurd short plays...in their short pants.

But that’s not all!

Immediately after the first performance (Friday, August 20th), you can join the Neos as they half-streak New York City on a midnight run from the East River to the Hudson on 14th Street.

Audience members who join in on the half-nakedness receive a discount at the door.

Featuring fearless Neo-Futurists Christopher Borg, Cara Francis, Ryan Good, Nicole Hill, Rob Neill, Joey Rizzolo and Lauren Sharpe.

Tickets are $10.00 plus the roll of a six-sided die ($11-$16) at the door. Advance tickets are $16.00 and can be purchased online at www.nyneofuturists.org, or by calling 212-352-3101.

For more information visit http://www.nyneofuturists.org  

For press inquiries contact Antonio [at] KampfireFilmsPR [dot] com

KampFIRE's summer is HOT!

ORDER extends at Theatre Row!

Oberon Theatre Ensemble is pleased to announce that its world premiere production of ORDER by Christopher Stetson Boal (23 Knives, Crazy for the Dog) has been extended one-week, after receiving fantastic industry and audience response. Directed by Tony Award nominee Austin Pendleton, ORDER is currently playing at Off-Broadway’s Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row (410 W 42nd St). With the extension, performances continue through Saturday, July 3rd.

“I think the play is about the fact that any one of us, if the proper buttons were pushed, could go irreversibly nuts at any moment” –shares Mr. Pendleton of Boal’s new play –“his play is funny and disturbing all at once, and thus full of very many and different possibilities in performance.”

ORDER is the darkly hysterical and ultimately tragic story of Thomas Blander, a former philosophy teacher determined to be mild and polite in a violent and greedy world, whose plan is upended when he's possessed by a creature claiming to be an ancient entity of power and hunger.  The creature (real? imagined?) brings an entirely new philosophy to Blander - undeniable lust for power and insatiable appetite - that ultimately includes dining on his enemies - and his friends.

The production features James Edward Becton*, Gabe Bettio*, Mac Brydon*, Brad Fryman*, William Laney*, Amanda Plant*, Ryan Tramont and James Washington*.

ORDER remaining performances through July 3rd:

Wednesday, June 16th, at 2 pm & 8 pm
Thursday, June 17th, at 8 pm 

Monday, June 21st, at 7 pm
Tuesday, June 22nd, at 7 pm
Friday, June 25th, at 8 pm
Saturday, June 26th, at 2 pm & 8 pm

Tuesday, June 29th at 7pm
Wednesday, June 30th at 8pm
Thursday, July 1st at 8pm
Friday, July 2nd at 8pm
Saturday, July 3rd at 8pm

Tickets are #25.00 and $12.50 students/seniors. For reservations, please call 212-279-4200 or visit www.ticketcentral.com to purchase online. Tickets are also available at Theatre Row’s box office open from 12pm – 8pm.

For more information visit: www.OberonTheatre.org

ORDER is being presented in conjunction with, OTHELLO by William Shakespeare,
directed by Lucille Lortel Award recipient, Cara Reichel, as part of Oberon’s Rep 2010.


*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.
Pictured: Ryan Tramont (Tom Blander) and William Laney (Detective Arlow), photo by Ann Bartek.

Modotti opens

Modotti

"A luminous portrayal by Alysia Reiner . . . graceful, languid and confident, Reiner lights up the stage!" - Associated Press

The story of silent film actress, photographer, and communist subversive, Tina Modotti.

Accompanied by her lover, American photographer Edward Weston, Hollywood silent film actress Tina Modotti joins the cultural revolution in Mexico. Can passion and idealism contend with power and violence?  This sexy and controversial new work by Australian playwright, Wendy Beckett, follows Modotti, a woman decades before her time, as she takes on the mantle of Latin American politics.

Opening night, June 11, 2010:

Children of Eden is a critical success!

You will be hard pressed to find a “Children of Eden” more creative and eye- and ear-filling than this Astoria Performing Arts Center production...A large, strong-voiced chorus roams all over, often standing one or two feet from you, allowing you to hear Schwartz’s mellow harmonies up close and unmiked...excellent cast and Tom Wojtunik’s lively direction!  -- Marc Miller, Back Stage

A remarkable and ambitious production... ingenious...extremely talented director, Tom Wojtunik, has assembled another excellent cast and design team! -- Oscar Moore, Talk Entertainment

Any show that needs and asks so little, yet provides so much to both theatre folk and audiences alike, is basically a slam-dunk. And in its handsome and highly respectable mounting, APAC's production gets basically everything right. -- Matthew Murray, BroadwayStars.com

An exquisitely unique theatrical experience that should resonate whether you are a lover of musical theater or not. -- Georgina Young-Ellis

A moving production of one of the best musicals that never made it to Broadway, and at $18, you get far more than you pay for... this is a moving, often beautiful production, one that is appropriately both honest and sincere. - Dan Dinero, Theatre Is Easy

Too Much PRIDE Makes The Baby Go GAY: 30 GAY Plays In 60 STRAIGHT Minutes

NEW YORK NEO-FUTURISTS are pleased to present their 4th Annual Pride special edition of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, this year benefiting LGBTQ advocacy in Uganda. TOO MUCH PRIDE MAKES THE BABY GO GAY: 30 GAY PLAYS IN 60 STRAIGHT MINUTES will be presented at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003) on Friday, June 25th and Saturday, June 26th at 10:30pm.

Press is cordially invited to all performances.

30 short plays reveal the struggle, the joy, the power of being out and proud in New York City in support of acceptance and freedom for all the world's citizens.

Too Much PRIDE Makes the Baby Go Gay: 30 Gay Plays in 60 Straight Minutes, will be raising money to benefit LGBTQ advocacy in Uganda through the Fund for Global Human Rights, in an effort to combat proposed legislation that could make it a criminal offense to be gay, with punishment by imprisonment and even execution. The New York Neo-Futurists call our audiences to action in support of this important cause.

A blend of the comedic, tragic, political and always personal, the New York Neo-Futurists explore the journey from out to proud in 30 short plays over the course of one hour.

Tickets are $20.00. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.nyneofuturists.org or by calling 212-352-3101.


For more information visit www.nyneofuturists.org 

THE NEW YORK NEO-FUTURISTS are an ensemble of dynamic writer/performer/directors who present the critically acclaimed, energetic show of original short plays, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind--a non-illusory collage of the comic and tragic, the political and personal, the visceral and experimental, while embracing chance, change, and chaos.  Developing out of the format that has been a success in Chicago since 1988, the New York Neo-Futurists have roots in NYC from the mid 90’s.  Since opening TML in New York, they have created over 1900 plays and continue to present new and vital work every weekend in the East Village. For more info: www.nynf.org

FUND FOR GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS Securing basic dignity and freedom for people worldwide requires that front-line organizations challenge abuse wherever it occurs. The Fund finds and funds local human rights heroes who often work at great personal risk to strengthen and bring global attention to their struggles. For more info: www.globalhumanrights.org


UPCOMING SPECIAL EDITION:

30 Half-Nekkid Plays in 60 Half-Nekkid Minutes
August 20-21, 2010

Oberon Theatre Ensemble Rep 2010

OBERON THEATRE ENSEMBLE is pleased to announce their Rep 2010, celebrating the company’s 14th Repertory Season. Oberon will be presenting OTHELLO by William Shakespeare, directed by Lucille Lortel Award recipient, Cara Reichel, in conjunction with the world premiere of ORDER, by Christopher Stetson Boal (23 Knives, Crazy for the Dog), directed by Tony Award nominee Austin Pendleton (Best Direction of a Play, The Little Foxes).

“It is thrilling how William Shakespeare's Othello, and the world premiere play Order, by Christopher Stetson Boal, explore how our "demons" inside affect how we deal with the critical moments in our lives"– shares Oberon Theatre Ensemble’s Artistic Director Brad Fryman –“We are humbled that Austin Pendleton and Cara Reichel have joined our team to direct for us this season. Together we all hope to make Oberon's Rep 2010 our most remarkable yet, as we strive to present stunningly simple, yet elegant, transformative theatre.”

Oberon Rep 2010 will play a three-week engagement at The Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row (410 W 42nd St). Performances begin Thursday, June 3rd , and continue through Saturday, June 26th. Tickets are $25.00 and $12.50 students/seniors. For reservations, please call 212-279-4200 or visit www.ticketcentral.com to purchase tickets online. Tickets are also available at Theatre Row’s box office, open from 12pm-8pm.

Press are invited:
Friday, June 4th at 8 pm – Othello
Saturday, June 5th at 8 pm –Othello
Monday, June 7th at 7 pm -Order
Tuesday, June 8th at 7 pm –Order
(Unofficial press dates may be accommodated upon request)


OTHELLO
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Cara Reichel

With Daniel Morgan Shelley*, Stewart Walker*, Simon Feil*, Randy Howk, Jennifer Blood*, Jessica Angleskhan*, Matt W. Cody*, Jane Cortney*, Chris Seiler*, David Matthew Douglas*, Nate Faust, Lowell Byers, Whitney Kam Lee and Travis Allen.

The esteemed General Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago fueling Iago’s jealousy. Iago, in turn, plans his revenge in incredibly malicious ways, causing suspicion amongst lovers and friends. The results are tragic as suspicion grows, trust is lost and Othello is compelled to take action against his lovely wife whom he believes to be unfaithful.

The music of Vivaldi and the rhythm of the djembe interweave with Shakespeare's elegant language in this tragic masterpiece.  As characters dance through the Bard's most intricate and compelling plot, OTHELLO illuminates the fine line between the cerebral and the animal in all of us. This is a visceral telling of Shakespeare’s great tragedy of Envy, Revenge and Damaged Love.

Thursday, June 3, at 8 pm
Friday, June 4, at 8 pm
Saturday, June 5, at 8pm

Wednesday, June 9, at 8pm
Thursday, June 10, at 8pm
Sunday, June 13, at 3pm

Tuesday, June 15, at 7pm
Friday, June 18, at 8pm
Saturday, June 19, at 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, June 20, at 3pm

Wednesday, June 23, at 2 pm & 8 pm
Thursday, June 24, at 8 pm

ORDER
By Christopher Stetson Boal
Directed by Austin Pendleton

With James Edward Becton*, Gabe Bettio*, Mac Brydon*, Brad Fryman*, William Laney*, Amanda Plant*, Ryan Tramont and James Washington*.

ORDER is the darkly hysterical and ultimately tragic story of Thomas Blander, a former philosophy teacher determined to be mild and polite in a violent and greedy world, whose plan is upended when he's possessed by a creature claiming to be an ancient entity of power and hunger.  The creature (real? imagined?) brings an entirely new philosophy to Blander - undeniable lust for power and insatiable appetite - that ultimately includes dining on his enemies - and his friends.

Sunday, June 6, at 3 pm

Monday, June 7th, at 7 pm
Tuesday, June 8th, at 7 pm
Friday, June 11th, at 8 pm
Saturday, June 12th, at 2 pm & 8 pm

Wednesday, June 16th, at 2 pm & 8 pm
Thursday, June 17th, at 8 pm 

Monday, June 21st, at 7 pm
Tuesday, June 22nd, at 7 pm
Friday, June 25th, at 8 pm
Saturday, June 26th, at 2 pm & 8 pm

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

For more information visit: www.OberonTheatre.org
Press photos are available at: http://picasaweb.google.com/kampfirefilms/OberonRep2010#