Nero, by Spring Awakening's Sheik and Sater, Will Be Part of 2008 Powerhouse Season

By Andrew Gans
10 Apr 2008

From top: Spring Awakening and Nero creators Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater.
From top: Spring Awakening and Nero creators Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater.
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Powerhouse Theatre's 2008 summer season, the result of a partnership between New York Stage and Film and Vassar College, has been announced. Productions are staged at the Powerhouse Theatre on the grounds of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY.

The 24th season, which runs June 27-Aug. 3, will include new plays by Eric Bogosian and Eve Ensler, a new musical by the creators of Spring Awakening and a one-man show penned by former "Saturday Night Live" writer Alan Zweibel.

1+1 is the title of the new work from actor-playwright Eric Bogosian, who can be seen on NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Mark Brokaw, currently represented on Broadway with the new musical Cry-Baby, will direct.

Singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik and playwright Steven Sater, the duo responsible for the Tony-winning musical Spring Awakening, will debut their latest effort, Nero, at the Powerhouse Theatre. A workshop of Nero, which depicts the Roman emperor's ascension to the throne as well as the burning of Rome, was held at the Public Theater in August 2007.

Also on the Powerhouse slate is David Rossmer and Dan Lipton's new musical Notes to MariAnne. The musical, which was part of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Music Theatre Conference in July 2007, was described at that time as such: "A brother and sister are torn apart and then reunited under extraordinary circumstances. notes to MariAnne is a modern fairy tale that draws from popular music to sing its story, exploring the consequences of leaving those you love and finding hope in dark places."

Alan Zweibel's The History of Me will be presented as part of Powerhouse's Inside Look! series. The series will also include a new work from Dael Orlandersmith, who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Yellowman. Orlandersmith's latest play is titled Horsedreams.

Ten plays will be featured during the first Powerhouse Readings Festival, including Eve Ensler's newest work, O.P.C.. Ensler is the author of The Vagina Monologues.

Details about the upcoming season — including a schedule of performance times — will be announced shortly.

Subscriptions for the summer season will go on sale May 21; individual tickets will be available beginning June 4. For more information visit powerhouse.vassar.edu or call (845) 437-7235 or (845) 437-5599.