A collaboration between Naked Angels and The Culture Project, Democracy will be presented at The Culture Project's 45 Below, Sept. 13-30. The evenings will feature works by Kenneth Lonergan, Patrick Breen, Theresa Rebeck, Jon Robin Baitz, Lynn Nottage, Ned Eisenberg, Warren Leight, Pippin Parker, Stephen Belber, Nicole Burdette, Frank Pugliese, John Bellouso, Lee Blessing, Nilo Cruz, Tom Fontana, Eduardo Machado, Chris Shinn, Josh Ben Friedman, Jessica Goldberg, Graham Gordy, Jerome Hairston and Louise Rozett; casting will be announced shortly. Artists were asked to address the theme of democracy for the latest project in the Naked Angels series focusing on contemporary social issues. Democracy, according to production notes, is described as a "stimulating, multi-dimensional arrangement of their responses, interlaced with live music and video." A noted figure from the world of arts, politics or academia will host each of the evenings, which will conclude with a question and-answer session.
Naked Angels artistic director Tim Ransom said in a statement, "The very notion of democracy is being simultaneously nurtured and challenged across the world today. It's the critical question of our time. Every other issue seems somehow secondary." And, Pippin Parker, artistic director of The Issues Project: Democracy added, "We've always thought that the most effective way for an artist to address a topic is exactly through his or her art. The Issues Project is like an ongoing, free-wheeling discussion where we let the work do the talking."
The Issues Project: Democracy will play Monday-Saturday evenings at 8 PM at The Culture Project's 45 Below. Tickets, priced at $15, are available by calling (212) 352-3101.