Yosl Papirofsky was born in the borough of Brooklyn, but he would become one of the biggest names in theatre in all of New York. The founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival, better known as Joseph (or Joe) Papp, who has been honored many times by his art becomes the art as Shakespeare, Moses, and Joe Papp premieres.
The world premiere of the new play by Ernest Joselovitz runs at Maryland's Round House Theatre in Silver Spring, April 3-May 5. The official opening is set for April 8. Gerry Bamman (Nixon's Nixon) heads up the cast under the direction of Lou Jacob.
Shakespeare, Moses, and Joe Papp is a fictional speculation about Papp's great battle with New York Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The tough Brooklynite would overcome the dubbed "Commissioner of Everything" and set up what would become one of New York's most revered traditions: free Shakespeare in Central Park. Papp would also find success on the stage with productions of A Chorus Line and Hair.
Bamman's stage credits include the City Center Encores! concert of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Broadway's Uncle Vanya, Execution of Justice, Accidental Death of an Anarchist and The Cherry Orchard. Screen credits include the short-lived television show "Swans Crossing" and the films "Great Expectations," "Secret of My Success," "Bloodhounds of Broadway," and both "Home Alone" movies.
Joining Bamman are a cast that includes John Lescault, Mitchell Hébert, Yuval Cohen, Susan Lynskey. The design team include James Kronzer (sets), Rosemary Pardee (costumes), Daniel MacLean Wagner (lights) and Scott Burgess (sound). Shakespeare, Moses & Joe Papp will mark the last production to see the stage at the Round House's theater in Silver Spring. The next production Our Town will open at the new downtown Bethesda performance space. The Silver Spring building will still be home to Round House's educational and outreach programs.
Tickets to Shakespeare, Moses & Joe Papp can be purchased by calling (240) 644-1100. Also visit the Round House website at www.round-house.org.
— by Ernio Hernandez
