Liberal NYC Family Tested in Conjugality, in Midtown Fest July 22-Aug. 3 | Playbill

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News Liberal NYC Family Tested in Conjugality, in Midtown Fest July 22-Aug. 3 Michael Lazan's The Conjugality Test, a serio-comic examination of an unconventional Upper West Side family, begins July 22 at the Where Eagles Dare Theatre as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival.

David Gautschy directs the production presented by Small Pond Entertainment. Performances play to Aug. 3.

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In the play, David, a 50-year-old insurance man with an affinity for German philosophy, is approached by a beautiful African-American woman named Bernice who professes to read Nietzsche. He surmises that one of his family members, probably his common-law wife Debs, has set him up to commit an act of infidelity. Bernice confirms his suspicions by revealing that a "service" sent her. He proceeds to run the topic of his potential infidelity by his progressive family.

"Although they have maintained a liberal mentality throughout the years to fight against the duplicity of convention, David's family can't fight against the inevitable dysfunction their posturing has caused," according to production notes.

Playwright Lazan developed The Conjugality Test at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater under the guidance of artistic director David Van Asselt. The play was subsequently presented as a black-box production at the Rattlestick's Exposure Festival. The story was inspired by an article in the New York Times profiling a woman that the character "Bernice" is based on. The Conjugality cast is headed by Greg Thornton and also features Shaun Bennet Wilson, Jackie Sydney, Warren Katz and Amanda Sayle.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre has produced Lazan's New York Singles, Planet of Jews and Somewhere in Bosnia. His new untitled play is scheduled to be presented at EST's Octoberfest this fall. His full length musical, Manhattan Bound, which he co-authored with Erica Silberman, was presented at the Neighborhood Playhouse as part of their A Train Series.

Where Eagles Dare is located at 347 W. 36th Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, ground floor). The performance schedule is July 22 at 4 PM, July 24 at 6 PM, July 26 at 8:45 PM, July 28 at 1 PM, July 29 at 9:15 PM and Aug. 3 at 6:30 PM.

Tickets are $18; $15 seniors/students. For information call (212) 501-6928. For tickets call (212) 868-4444 or go to www.smarttix.com.

 
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