President Meets an Intern in Mary, Simpatico's New Play, in NYC Fringe, Aug. 9-24

By Kenneth Jones
09 Aug 2003

David Simpatico's Mary, a new play about a U.S. president and an "encounter" with his intern, is presented by producer Staci Levine as part of The New York International Fringe Festival, Aug. 9-24.

Mary, according to production notes, "is the tale of the president and his intern. They meet for an 'encounter' that changes the course of the universe. It's a spiritual burlesque about the seduction of Mary by God. Written in 1998 (before the Bill/Monica drama), David Simpatico creates an intimate world for the president and Mary, high atop New York City in a luxury hotel suite, where life altering decisions are about to be made….again."

Daniella Topol directs the world premiere, with Robin Haynes as the President and Russell Arden Koplin as Mary. Playwright Simpatico will also perform his solo performance piece, Rev. Jimmy as a prologue to Mary.

Designers are Bobby Harrell (lighting), Otts Munderloh (sound).

David Simpatico's work has been presented at theatres around the country, including Lincoln Center, Town Hall, New York Shakespeare Festival, New York Theatre Workshop, English National Opera, and the Boston Conservatory of Music. The comic actor and writer is a playwright-in-residence at the Barrow Group and resident artist at the Lark Theatre.

He has recently been commissioned to adapt Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" for the stage.

Mary appears at The Independent Theater, 52-A W. 8th St. between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal.

Tickets are $15. Fringe shows play scattered dates and times. For information, call (212) 279-4488 or visit www.fringeNYC.org.

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In addition to Mary, Simpatico's comedy, Waiter, Waiter, will also appear as part of this year's New York International Fringe Festival.