New York's Theatre for a New Audience will present the New York Premiere of the latest production directed by avant-maverick, JoAnne Akalaitis. The Iphigenia Cycle previews Jan. 19-23, for a run Jan. 24-Feb. 14.
Critically praised when it debuted at Chicago's Court Theatre in 1997, Akalaitis' retelling of Euripides' tribute to the noble martyr Iphigenia will retain the original designers: Paul Steinberg (sets), Doey Luthi (costumes), Jennifer Tipton (lighting), Bruce Odland (sound and music), and most of the original ensemble (Wilson Cain III, Anne Dudek, Genevra Gallo, Lynn House, Ora Jones, Taylor Price, Carmen Roman, Genevieve VenJohnson and Jack Willis). Added for the TFANA production will be Anne Louise Zachry, Nicholas Kepros and Sophia Salguero.
In The Iphigenia Cycle, Nicholas Rudall's new translation melds two Euripides texts (Iphigenia At Aulis and Iphigenia In Tauris) into one. It follows the dramatic plight of Iphigenia, who journeys from nearly being sacrificed by her father Agamemnon during the Trojan War, to her postwar existence as a priestess for Artemis, who almost sacrifices her brother Orestes until she recognizes him for the adult he has become.
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After Iphigenia finishes cycling Feb. 14, Ron Daniels returns to TFANA, this time to stage Macbeth. Designing this production of Shakespeare's tragedy are Neil Patel (set), Donald Holder (lighting) and Constance Hoffman (costumes). Daniels staged Richard II and Richard III in repertory during TFANA's 1997-98 season. B.H. Barry serves as fight director for Shakespeare's bloody tale, which starts previews March 2. Also in the spring, director Karin Coonrod (of Arden Party renown) will stage a workshop of Shakespeare's King John, in anticipation of her full production of the play during the 1999-00 season.
In other New Audience news, the company will revive its 1996 mounting of Carlo Gozzi's The Green Bird for a production at London's Barbican Theatre, opening Aug. 22, 1999. Featuring original music by Elliot Goldenthal, The Green Bird was director Julie Taymor's last major project before she turned her attention to another, somewhat better known musical about animals: The Lion King.
For tickets or more information on Theatre for a New Audience's 20th anniversary season call (212) 354-4660.
-- By Sean McGrath
