Actress Kathleen Chalfant (Wit), playwright Warren Leight (Side Man and playwright-director Craig Lucas (Blue Light, Prelude to a Kiss) will be some of the celebrities ushering in Dixon Place's move from its previous home into the Vineyard 26, Sept. 15. The company officially began performances in the new space Sept. 9 with Sarah Schulman's The Child, directed by Lucas.
Performing at the gala celebration will be Chalfant, writer-performer Nancy Giles, the lesbian gospel quartet Pillars of Salt, poet-performer Regie Cabico, opera singers Imani Q'Ryn and Lisa Bryce, dancer choreographers Jody Oberfelder and Terry Hollis, performance artist magician Derek Hughes and the musical performance group White Knucke Sandwich.
The plans for this move came earlier in 1999 when Dixon Place founder, Ellie Covan, lost her lease on the second-floor, Bowery space that for 13 years was Dixon's home. While there, Covan played host to such artists as Blue Man Group, David Cale, Holly Hughes and Reno.
The event, beginning at 6:30 PM, is open to the public, but reservations are required. For reservations, call (212) 532-1546. Dixon Place at Vineyard 26 is located at 309 E. 26 St.
Among the 1999 offerings are: € Magician-performer Hughes will present his latest piece Sept. 30- Oct. 30. The piece will be presented as part of Dixon Place's on-going "Mondo Cane!" Series, which commissions new works by emerging artists.
€ Comedian Giles will see her Notes from a Negro Neurotic staged, Nov. 7-29, directed by Dixon Place artistic director Ellie Covan.
For performance and ticket information, call (212) 532-1535.
-- By Christine Ehren and Sean McGrath
