The Bat Theatre Company of Off-Off-Broadway is returning to the work of Mac Wellman, presenting Fancy Pants' production of the playwright's Infrared, Jan. 14-Feb. 5 at the Flea Theatre in the Tribeca section of New York City.
Wellman, a member of the Bat, has previously seen his work presented by the company, most recently Girl Gone. Infrared has a typically abstract, Wellmanesque plot, inspired by Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market and cartoonist Edward Gorey's work. An "exploration of identity, light and shadow, the play -- not to be confused with the Bob Hope movie vehicle -- follows a misshapen monster as he searches for his shadow.
Jennifer Cooper, Susan Heimbinder and Leigh Secrest are featured. James Godwin directs.
Wellman is about as established as an avant-garde, downtown playwright can be. He has won two Obie Awards, a Bessie Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. Festivals of his work were presented in five cities in 1997 and 1998. His plays include A Murder of Crows, 7 Blowjobs, Terminal Hip and Crowbar.
The Flea is located at 41 White Street. Call (212) 226-0051 for more information. -- By Robert Simonson