Dear theatre friends,
Several readers have expressed interest in the development of new playwrights’ work. There is a program of free readings open to the public, sponsored Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Alfred P/ Sloan Foundation– they all sound terrific! Go to EnsembleStudioTheatre.org/firstlight to read about this collaboration and their newest discoveries.
Only until May 12th, go to LaMama to see “Lines” which comes direct from a Sheffield, England run. It concerns five prisons over five decades. Read this positive review from that production and rush over to East 4th Street.
Second Stage will be producing the world premiere of “Breaking the Story” by Alexis Scheer, directed by Jo Bonney and featuring an ensemble of eight performers– a rarity in today’s economic environment. I’ll be fascinated to see a work described as”darkly funny” about a war reporter coping with her return from the front line.
If you admire Marguerite Duras’s “L’Amant” (“The Lover”) or her screenplay, “Hiroshima Mon Amour”, you now have the opportunity to see her rarely revived two-hander, “La Musica Deuxieme”, in a short run this month. Knowing a bit about Duras, I think doomed love might be the subject.
Another two hander about love revisited is “Still” by Lia Romeo at DR2 Theatre. It’s presented by Colt Coeur and stars the British Award-winning actor, Jayne Atkinson and American TV star, Tim Daly.
If you race, you can catch the last few performances of “Philadelphia, Here I Come”— only until the 5th. This was my third viewing of Brian Friel’s poignant classic, and it is by far the finest. Please go if you can, it’s unforgettable! (And check out the perfect Irish accents by the two American actors playing the main characters!)
If your schedule doesn’t permit, at least please get tickets for the next Friel at the Irish Rep, “Molly Sweeney.” This is an important revival of an extraordinary play. Here’s the New York Times’ review of their 2011 production. Although I remember it vividly, I wouldn’t miss another chance to revel in the play’s brilliance. Don’t let this one get away!
That’s all for now. Hope to see you at the theatre!
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.