Adam Stein, Keira Naughton, Pete Simpson, Matt Saldivar and Evan Robertson comprise the fictitious clan group from upstate New York. The Petersons have previously performed at the Sh-K-Boom Room's summer series at The Zipper theatre. Each performance is a hybrid of a concert and a play, and often features surprise guests at their shows; past guests include Tony winner James Naughton, Keira's dad, Naughton family friend Paul Newman, John Cameron Mitchell, Ben Shenkman and Michael C. Hall.
According to Stein, every show The Petersons do has its own self-contained narrative. The new one will concern the clan's attempt at a traditional Jewish Seder, a sort of "Seder 101." Said Stein, Mr. Peterson, the character he plays, is a quarter-Jewish himself and is the most semitic member of the group. Stein mentioned he might make haroset—the tradtional mixture of apples, nuts and wine used in the ceremony—and Joe's Pub is looking into procuring some Manischewitz wine for the occasion.
Stein understudied Kevin Spacey in the Broadway production of The Iceman Cometh and has performed at several regional theatres throughout the U.S., including Steppenwolf, the Old Globe and the McCarter Theatre. Keira Naughton was recently seen in the Kennedy Center production of Company and was on Broadway in Dance of Death. Pete Simpson is a longtime member of Blue Man Group, having performed in Tubes at the Astor Place Theatre for several years. He frequently collaborates with Richard Maxwell and will tour this summer with David Bowie and Moby. Matt Saldivar has worked extensively in theatres around the country, including the Long Wharf, the Guthrie and New York's Blue Light Theatre. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Evan Robertson played Claudio in two recent productions of Much Ado About Nothing in New York.
Tickets are $15. Call (212) 239-6200.
* The Petersons are currently developing a long-form, two-act musical which will have its debut at a regional summer festival this year. (Stein declined to identify the festival.) The production will have a short run, as opposed to the one-night, hit-and-run events the group has staged up until this point. The hope is to bring the show to New York.
