Staged at the Ohio Theatre from July 8 to Aug. 15, the Ice Factory Festival offers six New York premieres from emerging and established theatre companies. Works showcased at the Ice Factory Festival have gone on to enjoy runs Off-Broadway, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as PS 122, the Joyce and the Berkshire Theatre Festival.
Here's a look at the 2009 Ice Factory Festival offerings:
July 8–11
Anonymous Ensemble
Written and directed by Eamonn Farrell. Music by William Antoniou.
"Alice, a talented urban dreamer approaching middle age, is caught in a quagmire of diminishing potential, corporate insignificance and the mirage of celebrity. This is Lewis Carroll deconstructed by the mind of a modern, mature songstress on a journey of self-identity. A befeathered spectacle; a psychedelic, multimedia/music-fueled trip down the rabbit hole."
July 15-18
Aztec Economy
Written by Casey Wimpee and directed by Matthew Hancock.
"A shy comic illustrator in Queens quietly expresses his repressed aggression in an unpublished graphic novel, 'Lavaman,' featuring the daily life of a retired volcano and an alcoholic tombstone. An evening of extreme recreation with his rock-and-roll roommate and his day-trader buddy cracks open his sweet façade with an eruption that incinerates everything in its path. A hardcore punk rock mini-epic of friendship, repression and brutality. With video animation."
July 22-25
The Little Lord Fauntleroys
Directed by Michael Levinton and José Zayas. Libretto based on Glen MacDonough's original 1903 Broadway script. Musical direction by Rodney Pallanck with Kate Marvin.
"Recalls the happy days of childhood, for all who are facing the stern realities of life. What more could the mortal spirit desire? Featuring David Greenspan as the Master Toymaker, a cast of a hundred dozen and a live orchestra pianist."
July 29–Aug. 1
International Wow
Conceived and created by Josh Fox & the WOW ensemble.
"A town destroyed by foreclosures, evictions and other calamities rebuilds itself from the ground up. Which raises the question: if you could build any kind of house, any kind of town, any kind of country, what would you build? And what kind of person would that process create? Featuring a five-piece bluegrass band, a 30-person ensemble and live onstage house building."
Aug. 5–8
"Experience this pioneering, ensemble-generated work, while enjoying a home-cooked five-course meal, carefully prepared and presented by geniuses of the avant-garde theatre. The legendary Miss Conni Convergence and her devoted ensemble humbly bring you this highly anticipated twelfth iteration of the 'Complete Works in Five Courses Series.' With chilled gazpacho soup, summer salad and sandwiches, and a refreshing dessert of fresh berries and cream. Come hungry!" ($25 additional suggested donation for provided meal).
Aug. 12-15
Banana Bag & Bodice
Directed by Mallory Catlett. Music composed by Dave Malloy.
"Two brothers travel through the expansive galactic abyss, navigating their awkward fraternal bond and their love affairs with passing voices in the ether: haunting transmissions from 'somewhere out there.' Part Sci-Fi, part domestic drama, this claustrophobic container tale explores the loneliness of our inner thoughts and the magnitude of our personal orbits. With original text, music and an actual spaceship on stage!" The Ice Factory Festival performs Wednesday-Saturday at 7 PM. Tickets, priced $15, are available by phoning (212) 868-4444 or by visiting Smarttix. The Ohio Theatre is located at 66 Wooster Street in Manhattan.
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