Dear theatre friends,
Amidst countless revivals, a few original plays are coming. I think these are worth your attention:
First, The Vineyard is presenting “Lessons in Survival- 1971” with the always vibrant Marin Ireland. She, and several other cast members, conceived of this play based on poet Nikki Giovanni’s interview with James Baldwin for WNET– in, you guessed it, 1971! Directed by Tyler Thomas.
Another updated version of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard’– really? Honestly, this is one you can’t miss! It stars the wonderful Jessica Hecht and the man himself, Mikhail Baryshnikov. “The Orchard” is billed as a futuristic hybrid of technology and theatre.
It’s a short run, so do run!
From Pulitzer Prize Finalist Will Arbery (“Heroes of the Fourth Turning”) comes “Corsicana” at Playwrights Horizons, directed by Sam Gold. It concerns the important topics of caregiving and the nature of reality, which the playwright pondered while the play gestated since 2019.
At CSC (a.k.a. Classic Stage Company) is “Snow in Midsummer” by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. It’s described as a contemporary, gripping murder mystery adapted from an iconic Chinese play.
Another ensemble piece with a backdrop of snowfall is “Epiphany” at Lincoln Center Theatre (LCT) by Brian Watkins. I recall seeing his earlier, thrilling “Wyoming” in 2015 and knew he was a writer to watch. You might like to read a New York Times review of that family drama.
In closing today, I urge you to get to La Mama for “God’s Fool” by Martha Clarke. Not only is Martha a brilliant theatre director, choreographer and MacArthur Fellow, but a dreamer of timeless worlds. Full disclosure: Martha is a close friend; I have observed the development of this piece about St. Francis– a welcome subject in these violent times, indeed.
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.