The new series, East to Edinburgh, comes on the heels of 59E59 Theaters' Brits Off Broadway festival, which brought British writers, actors and directors to Off-Broadway. All four shows in East to Edinburgh play the New York venue's intimate Theater C.
The plan is to develop the series into an annual pre-Edinburgh warm-up engagement for new companies. In 2005, Theaters B and C will host shows
The 2004 slate includes:
Finding My Mother's Voice (July 13-20) written and performed by Naava Piatka, directed by Joann Green Breuer. "I am my own mother? One woman with many accents turns the past into present and the unspoken into a celebration. In this uplifting tribute to the triumph of laughter and song over the Holocaust, internationally acclaimed actress/playwright Naava Piatka brings to life her vivacious Yiddish comedienne mother, Chayela Rosenthal, [the] 'Wunderkind of the Vilna Ghetto Theatre.' This powerful performance of original haunting song, compelling narrative and characteristic humor, celebrates theatre and life itself."
Wendy Spero in Who's Your Daddy? (July 20-23). "Wendy Spero doesn't have a dad. But she does have a sex-therapist mom, a twisted relationship with her boss, the joint she shared with Hugh Grant, and video footage of her grandma falling down. Maybe that's enough. After being voted Best Female Comic of 2003 by TimeOut NY, Wendy's one woman show has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and Backstage"Peter Loureiro in Citizen Walken (July 23-24, July 30-31). "Citizen Walken is an entirely fictional, fascinating and hysterical journey through the mind of actor Christopher Walken. Lost in a fever dream, Walken and his 'spirit guides' beckon us to descend with them into the heart of darkness that is his soul. In a journey that's at turns both horrifying and exhilarating, all is revealed. Brownies are also served. Written and starring Peter Loureiro as Christopher Walken, the show also features Chris Wisner in a number of different roles, including pointed portrayals of Al Pacino and James Lipton." Tom Dunn directs.Paul Rajeckas in Notes to the Motherland (July 27-Aug. 1). "In a one-man tour de force reminiscent of Keaton and Chaplin, Paul Rajeckas recreates the epic story of his family’s escape from Nazi Europe. When Paulius Bombalytis stumbles upon a diary that reveals a dark family secret, he embarks on an hilarious psychological journey back in time, from present day New York to pre-World War II Lithuania. This semi auto biographical psychological thriller uncovers fear, shifting loyalties, anti-Semitism and betrayal. It's a search for truth and a search for hope among those caught up in the Nazi sweep across Europe. Notes to the Motherland tells the story of women in Paul's life who make life-and death choices – choices that have an impact across generations. In his search for truth our unwitting guide enters a world of fanaticism." Tickets range $20-$25. All East to Edinburgh shows are in Theater C at 59E59 Theaters, 59 East 59th Street (between Park and Madison).
Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, visiting their website www.ticketcentral.com or in person at the 59E59 box office.
For more information, visit www.59e59.org.
For more information on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2004 go to www.edfringe.com.
