The Lost Tribe Theatre Company resumes production at the Bank Street Theatre in January with Blood Sport 2: Tales of Love by Stephen F. Kelleher. Lost Tribe celebrates its seventh season presenting “new, American works” with the world premiere of Blood Sport.
Directed by Randy White and Heather Ondersm, Kelleher’s play begins previews start Jan. 10 with an opening night scheduled for Jan. 13. Blood Sport runs through Jan. 21.
Describing Scraper and Tattoo,the two one-acts that comprise Blood Sport, playwright Kelleher told Playbill On-Line that, “the theme of love is so broadly applicable and the word love itself is so regularly used as a catch all that I sometimes think it loses significance to a certain extent.” Kelleher said that as a theatregoer he is not usually the first on line to pony up money to see a play that says it is about love. “The challenge with this piece,” Kelleher said, “came down to the fact that I usually don’t feel that ‘love’ is given the sharp and accurate portrayal it could get. So, I thought I’d try it.”
Blood Sport’s Tattoo is based on one character’s visit to a tattoo parlor, where he and his spouse deal with the commitment issues involved in an ongoing relationship—including having a lover’s name etched on one’s skin forever. The second work, perhaps even more autobiographical, deals with the playwright’s early experience working as a highway department “scraper” in Long Island. As several men remove road kill from the streets, the group dynamic in Scraperproves compelling for a young man as he faces the prospect of giving up freedom for the sake of a woman.
“Most people drive by road crews on the highway,” Kelleher recalls, “and I don’t think they ever guess that what might be going on with those guys is an Oprah-like encounter group.” Kelleher (The Lawless Sun, Shayquan’s Picture, Returner) is Lost Tribe’s artistic director. Bank Street is the home of both Lost Tribe and the Peccadillo Theatre Company. As reported earlier, after a “period of serious reflection” following their last production, Erwin Pally’s Camelot's Ruby, Lost Tribe plans to get back to its roots with new, original American plays.
The cast for Blood Sport includes Michael Aubele, Jarel Davidow, Joe Scura, Janie Kelly, Minerva Scelza, James Sweeney and Susan Walden. Set and costume designs are by Rachel Carr with lighting design by Joshua Briggs.
Tickets are $12. The Bank Street Theatre is located at 155 Bank Street (between Washington and West Streets in the West Village). For reservations call (212) 592-3312.
-- By Murdoch McBride
