The downtown New York City company has announced the plans for its upcoming 25th anniversary season.
"For New York Theatre Workshop's 25th anniversary, we will present the best of what we strive to do, an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists whose work in some meaningful way explores perspectives on our collective history and that responds to the events and institutions that shape our lives," artistic director James C. Nicola stated in the announcement.
"These voices constitute the whole of NYTW: masters of the art form, iconoclasts, interdisciplinary workers and emerging artists all together in one season. And to celebrate our 25 years, there will be special events along the way, including the revival of several classic NYTW productions with a series of public readings."
The lineup for 2007-2008 (subject to change) is as follows:
David Schweizer directs the latest work from the creator of And God Created Great Whales which centers around "Reinhart Poole, an unconventional theologian and teacher of ethics at a seminary, who has been pressured to resign by dogmatic powers within his church, works all night on his last class, his lectures, questions, and stories. He also talks with his wife, argues with the ghost of his brother, remembers conversations, and indulges his hobby: a comic allegory about two ageless masons who've been building the same church foundation for 1750 years."
Sam Gold stages the newest play from Roar playwright Shamieh that "depicts four Arab women from across the ages who meet in the afterlife. As these women — who include the Biblical Delilah and a secular modern Arab-American — struggle to come to terms with their lives and their choices, this shockingly funny play skewers traditional views on sex, family, and terrorism."
NYTW gives director of the 2004 Hedda Gabler carte blanche for his forthcoming fifth production. "There are several classic texts that he is interested in exploring with New York actors, as well as some contemporary work," according to a release.
JoAnne Akalaitis will stage the legendary playwright's Act Without Words (I and II), Eh Joe and Rough For Theatre in a production that will star Mikhail Baryshnikov, David Neumann, Karen Kandel and Bill Camp. Original music will be provided by Philip Glass.
"In Depression-era Alabama, Tice Hogan, a black Sunday school teacher and Communist Party leader, lives at the edge of trouble," reads show materials. "When a white factory worker on the run demands sanctuary, Tice and his daughter, Cali, may just be forced to cross the line."
The downtown New York theatre ensemble that "combines elements of slapstick comedy, hi-tech and lo-tech design, both literary and found text, found objects and discarded furniture, and the group's own highly developed style of choreography" will present a new work based on William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" developed during several residencies at NYTW. NYTW currently presents the world premiere of Alan Ball's All That I Will Ever Be through March 11. Jo Bonney directs the first new stage work penned by the "Six Feet Under" creator in more than a dozen years. Next, Pam MacKinnon directs the world premiere of John Fugelsang's All the Wrong Reasons: A True Story of Neo-Nazis, Drug Smuggling, and Undying Love (starting March 23).
Among the shows developed and produced by NYTW in its 25-year history include Rent, Homebody/Kabul, Dirty Blonde, Lydie Breeze, Far Away, A Number and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.
Memberships for the 2007-2008 season at NYTW, 79 East Fourth Street, are available by calling (212) 460-5475. For more information visit the website at www.nytw.org.
