Flea artistic director Jim Simpson stages the latest work at the downtown house for a limited Off-Broadway engagement that begins Oct. 18 and opens Nov. 2 for a run through Dec. 9.
This new, politically charged play is set in "the not-too-distant future when the Christian Right hold sway" and centers on a "lowly lecturer in drama at a faith-based state university in the Midwest" and "an enthusiastic student more interested in his teacher than the theatre," according to show materials. Gurney is himself a part of the script as the two — who discovered the play by the "obscure late 20th century playwright" — must piece together the work once authorities have destroyed it.
The cast features Tina Benko (Dark Yellow, Lifegame, Wintertime), Christopher Kromer ("Cool in Your Code") and Shannon Burkett (The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Dead City, Stupid Kids). The design team include Claudia Brown (costumes), Brian Aldous (lighting) and Mimi Lien (set).
Gurney has previously collaborated with Simpson and The Flea on O Jerusalem, Mrs. Farnsworth and Screen Play. This season, Gurney's Indian Blood has already made it world premiere at Primary Stages. Next, Sigourney Weaver will star in the world premiere of his Crazy Mary at Playwrights Horizons.
The scribe known for Sylvia and Love Letters has also penned Scenes from American Life, Children, The Dining Room, The Middle Ages, Sweet Sue, The Perfect Party, Another Antigone, The Cocktail Hour, The Old Boy, The Fourth Wall, Later Life, A Cheever Evening, Overtime, Let's Do It (a Cole Porter musical), Labor Day, Far East, Ancestral Voices, Strictly Academic and Buffalo Gal. The new Flea season also includes Mac Wellman's Two September (Nov. 19 Dec. 16), the holiday-themed collection of ten-minute plays Twas The Night Before... (Dec. 13-23), two Music-Theatre Group musicals Golden Motors and The Rose Project (January 2007) as well as Charles Mee's Limonade Tous Les Jours (March 8-April 28, 2007).
Also scheduled for the upcoming year include the annual Playwriting Festival curated by playwright Mac Wellman (four young playwrights, four new directors for four months of irreverent and relevant theater) as well as a number of dance and music programs. Visit the website (www.theflea.org) for more information.
Tickets to Post Mortem at The Flea Theater, 41 White Street (between Broadway & Church Streets) are available by calling (212) 352-3101. Flea Memberships are available as well through (212) 226-0051 or online at www.theflea.org.
