Tackling the Classics and the Avant Garde: The New School for Drama’s Fall Lineup
The New School for Drama announces its expansive 2010 fall season, beginning with William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by the FIRST LOOK Workshop Performance Series featuring Elmer Rice’s The Adding Machine, and culminating with the New Visions Directing Festival.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Arin Arbus, is Shakespeare’s classic comedy of four lovers in an enchanted wood. Performances run October 7’9, with shows Thursday’Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 3:00 p.m.
The first offering of the FIRST LOOK Workshop Performance Series is The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice. After 25 years of service, Mr. Zero, an unfortunate cog spinning aimlessly in the corporate world, suddenly finds himself replaced by a machine. Lou Jacob directs this darkly comic look at advancing technology and its affect on human relationships. FIRST LOOK is work staged in a final rehearsal atmosphere with minimal sets, lights, costumes, and props. This production runs October 28’30, with performances Thursday’Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 3:00 p.m.
The season concludes with the New Visions Directing Festival, which runs December 8’11. This year’s festival features three plays in repertory highlighting the work of the school’s graduating directors and actors. Productions include Don Juan Comes Back From the War by Odon von Horath, translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by Tim Butterfield; Medea by Euripides, translated by Michael Collier and Georgia Machemer, directed by Kathryn McHugh; and The Country by Martin Crimp, directed by Paul Takacs. For the complete festival schedule, please visit www.newschool.edu/drama.
All presentations are at The New School for Drama Theater, 151 Bank Street, third floor. Admission is free, but reservations are strongly recommended. For reservations, please call Ticket Central at 212.279.4200, or visit www.ticketcentral.com.