This year, the annual East to Edinburgh program features the return of two hit shows that originated at 59E59 Theaters—Godlight Theater Company's production of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and Brian Dykstra's Clean Alternatives.
Also appearing is the New York premiere of Mickey Mouse Is Dead by Justin Sherin. Produced by Spankin' Yanks, a new production company that draws its creative team from the graduate program at the Yale School of Drama, Mickey Mouse is by the young company that made a sensation at the Edinburgh Fringe with 2004's Fringe First Award-winning production of Rolin Jones' The Jammer.
The Edinburgh, Scotland festival that the works are destined for is one of the world's largest arts festivals. It runs Aug. 6-28. For more information, visit www.edfringe.com.
The 2005 East to Edinburgh lineup on East 59th Street includes:
Mickey Mouse Is Dead (July 11–23) by Justin Sherin, directed by Gordon Carver, presented by Spankin' Yanks. "Hollywood, 1952. Are the Communists coming? Senator McCarthy hunts Reds, the Rosenbergs are doomed to die, and Walt Disney spies for the FBI. Harris and Finch, scriptwriters at the Disney Studio, are plotting to unionize. Walt's just been called to name names. How much does he know about them? Can Grace, Finch's trust-fund girlfriend, penetrate Walt's private playground? How far will Walt go to save Mickey Mouse from becoming a Commie Yid? A searing look into friendship, national identity and the politics of paranoia, the Happiest Place on Earth will never be the same."Fahrenheit 451 (July 11-23) by Ray Bradbury based his novel, directed by Joe Tantalo, presented by Godlight Theater Company. "The hit production of the 2005-2006 season at 59E59 Theaters returns! The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning along with the houses in which they were hidden. Guy Montag was a young fireman whose job it was to start fires. And he enjoyed his job; never questioned anything until he met a 17-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid. Then Guy met a professor who told him of a future in which people could think. And Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do…"Pentecostal Wisconsin (July 13-15), written and performed by Ryan Paulson, directed and developed by Virginia Scott. "Pentecostalism is the religion where people speak in tongues. Wisconsin is the state where they really like cheese. In this tale of sex, love and religion Ryan Paulson lets us in on what the religious right is all about as he finds God, falls for a sexy Swedish teenager and leaves his friend Jesus at the airport ticket counter."Clean Alternatives (July 22-29) by Brian Dykstra, directed by Margarett Perry, presented by Fresh Ice productions, Inc. "It's the story of an environmentalist's fight against a toxin-spreading megacorporation and the impossibility of enlightenment in this dark age of the almighty dollar."Three Mo' Tenors (July 22-23), conceived, directed and choreographed by Marion J. Caffey, presented by Willette M. Klausner. "This special edition of Three Mo' Tenors takes the audience on a musical journey of opera, jazz, gospel, soul, spirituals, new school, Broadway and the blues. Through song and inventive choreography, the Tenors treat the audience to a not to be missed experience."Stone and Stone (July 25-29), written, directed and performed by Adam and Todd Stone. "One year out of Wesleyan University, where their comedy show generated a cult-like following, the Stone twins, Adam and Todd, bring their act to 59E59 Theaters. Dressed in double-breasted blazers, this charming duo delivers well-crafted material that is bizarre, sophisticated, and always endearing."Twilight Los Angeles: 1992 (July 26-27) by Anna Deavere Smith, directed by Linda Ames Key, presented by The Red Chair Players. "The City of Los Angeles exploded in rioting and looting after the acquittal of Rodney King's assailants in 1992. Anna Deavere Smith interviewed L.A. residents, U.S. historians and politicians to explore the causes of these explosive events."Fargo: A (Mostly) True Story (July 27-29) by Ryan Thoreson and Marie Strinden, presented by The Lone Fargoan Company. "Fargo, the city made famous by the Coen Brothers movie of the same name, is now the background for the original, one-woman show about life and prejudice in small town America. Fargo: A (Mostly) True Story is the story of a gay man and a straight woman's enduring friendship and outrageous past as teenaged geeks." The performance schedule varies. The three-venue complex of 59E59 Theaters is located at 59 E. 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues. East to Edinburgh shows are presented in Theater B and Theater C. Theater A is home to the resident Manhattan company Primary Stages. For tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com.
For more information about the schedule, visit www.59e59.org.
