The new solo work starring the writer will undergo a developmental three performance run (Nov. 1-15) at The Public Theatre's Shiva Theatre space — where the troupe will once again be in residence. Marieke Gaboury directs the show which is billed as "a riff on dating, divorce, depression, diabetes and other 'D' words."
The three previously announced premieres were part of the 2003 Barn Series Festival last season — the annual event slated for a September run this year.
Shanley's Sailor's Song will kick off the new season, Oct. 26-Nov. 21 under the direction of Chris McGarry. The new work, billed to be "in the tradition of Gene Kelly and Eugene O'Neill," is "an extravagant romantic seaside story decorated with dance where a cynical man and a true believer battle over beautiful women and the power of love," according to a release.
The playwright has seen his previous works A Dirty Story, A Winter Party and Where's My Money? produced by LAByrinth. Shanley will also see his works Doubt (at Manhattan Theatre Club) and Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (at Second Stage Theatre) presented Off-Broadway this season.
A LAByrinth season staple — a new Stephen Adly Guirgis play directed by LAB co artistic director Philip Seymour Hoffman — is set for a Feb. 8, 2005 start. This year's follow-up to the duo's Jesus Hopped The 'A' Train and Our Lady of 121st Street will be an otherworldly comedy called The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. The Public Theatre co-presents the work. The world premiere follows the story, set mainly in a near-Purgatory courtroom, of a lawyer appealing the case of God and the Kingdom of Heaven vs. Judas Iscariot. Among the characters that filled the stage show at the December 2003 Barn Series reading included the accused apostle Judas (played by Sam Rockwell of "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"), his mother (Living Out star Liza Colon Zayas), his Irish lawyer (Elizabeth Canavan), childhood friend ("Oz" star Mums), opposing Middle Eastern counsel with a lisp (Yul Vasquez of The Stendhal Syndrome, "Seinfeld"), Court of Hope judge (Richard Petrocelli of Our Lady of 121st Street), a feistily persistent saint (Elizabeth Rodriguez), an angel (Portia Our Lady), Pontius Pilate (Ron Cephas Jones Our Lady), Jesus (Michael Pitt of "The Dreamers") and a laid-back Devil (John Patrick Shanley).
The world premiere of Rivera’s Massacre (Sing to Your Children) is slated for a run, beginning May 3, 2005. Kate Whoriskey directs the tale of seven people who join together to kill a neighbor who may or may not stay dead. The new work was penned specifically for LAByrinth's company of actors.
LAB Pass subscriptions to all shows are currently available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information on LAByrinth Theater Company, visit www.labtheater.org .
