MUSEUM PIECES

Prospect Theater Company Dark Nights Series
presents
Museum Pieces
When Art Inspires MORE Than Life

8 Musical Theater Writing Teams
create 10-minute musicals inspired by
8 Artworks Exhibited in New York City

February 23-26, 2008 at the West End Theatre
263 West 86th St., between Broadway and West End
Saturday 2/23 @ 3:00, Sunday 2/24-Tuesday 2/26 @ 8:00
Buy Tickets!

Featuring Pieces by: Frederick Alden Terry and John Herin, Marisa Michelson and Joshua H. Cohen, Deborah Abramson and Amanda Yesnowitz, Carol Hall, Drew Fornarola and Marshall Pailet, Michael Mitnick, Hyeyoung Kim and Michael L. Cooper, Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan.
See Below For More Information on the Writers and the Art That Inspires Them!

Directed by: Dev Bondarin, Marlo Hunter, Christine O'Grady, Cara Reichel, and Stefanie Sertich

With Performances By: David Andrew Anderson*, Erica Aubrey*, Sarah Corey*, Alexander Elisa*, Karla Mosley*, Doug Shapiro*, Tina Stafford*, Alexandra de Suze*, Blake Whyte*, Michael Winther*

Musical Director: Dan Feyer

Stage Manager: Marcie A. Friedman*

Conceived and Curated by Donald Butchko and Cara Reichel

* Indicates Member of AEA


The Writers, And The Art That Inspires Them

Frederick Alden Terry, Music, John Herin, Book and Lyrics

Improvisation, Vasily Kandinsky, c. 1914. MoMA




Marisa Michelson, Music and Book, Joshua H. Cohen, Book and Lyrics
Check out Marisa Michelson's Webpage featuring "Blue-Green Girl", and "Only Seeing You", written with Joshua H. Cohen!

The Lovers, Rene Magritte, 1928. MoMA




Deborah Abramson, Music, Amanda Yesnowitz, Book and Lyrics
Check out Deborah Abramson's Webpage!
Check out Deoborah Abramson's MySpace Page Featuring "My Love Most Sweet" with lyrics by Amanda Yesnowitz!

New York Movie, Edward Hopper, 1939. MoMA




Carol Hall , Music, Book and Lyrics

Fragmentary Head of a Queen, c. 1352-1336 B.C.E Metropolitan Museum of Art




Drew Fornarola and Marshall Pailet, Music, Book and Lyrics
Check Out Drew and Marshall's websites!

Diptych with Coronation of the Virgin and the Last Judgment, c. 1260-1270. Metropolitan Museum of Art




Michael Mitnick, Music, Book and Lyrics

The Football Players (Les Joueurs de football), Henri Rousseau, 1908. The Guggenheim Collection




Hyeyoung Kim, Music, Michael L. Cooper, Book and Lyrics
Check out The Cooper/Kim MySpace Page!
Check out their Sunfish:The Musical MySpace Page!

Insurrection! (Our Tools Were Rudimentary, Yet We Pressed On), Kara Walker, 2000. The Guggenheim Collection




Brian Lowdermilk, Music, Kait Kerrigan, Book and Lyrics
Check out The Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Website!
Check out Kerrigan-Lowdermilk's Musical Blog The Freshman Experiment!
Kerrigan-Lowdermilk on MySpace and YouTube

Come Away from Her (after Lewis Carroll), Kiki Smith, 2003. The Brooklyn Museum



Dark Nights Series Produced By Dev Bondarin

THE ROCKAE

music & lyrics by Peter Mills, adapted by Mills & Reichel, directed by Cara Reichel
Sept. 15 – Oct. 14, 2007 at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street

Pent-up King Pentheus takes on Dionysus and his frenzied female fans when the god of wine and theater returns to Thebes. Get ready for moshing Maenads and thrashing catharsis in this rock musical adaptation of Euripides' classic, The Bacchae. Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer Peter Mills fuses the intensity of hard rock with the violence of ancient Greek tragedy.

PRAISE FOR THE ROCKAE:

"At its best, the show simply rocks... [the songs] show off the vocal power of the ensemble, making good on the premise that rock opera just might be the best way of conveying the intensity of Greek tragedy to a modern audience." -- The Village Voice
Read the full review!

"A sexy rock 'n' roll event, both wildly erotic and blaringly electric... Reichel's production, aided by Marlo Hunter's choreography, surges with animalistic intensity while also retaining a humanity found in Euripides' original." -- Theatermania
Read the full review!

"A rock musical that's not only rock, but actually a musical, too. And a sizzling one... with an erotic, go-for-broke urgency strong enough to make you want to join in the reveling yourself." -- Talkin' Broadway
Read the full review!

"Ingenious, energetic... superbly directed." --Offoffonline.com
Read the full review!

"A sexy good time up until the inevitable bloody end... that leaves you in thrall to the rock 'n' roll god of wine and ecstasy." --Backstage
Read the full review!

"The god Dionysus gets his groove back in The Rockae, Prospect Theater Company’s sizzling rock adaptation of Euripides’ infamous Greek tragedy, The Bacchae. With a deviant twist, adapters Peter Mills and Cara Reichel have injected this timeless drama with Mills’s high-voltage score and an excellent cast of decadent denizens... Part Rocky Horror Show, part Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Rockae skillfully maps the angst of rock onto one of theater’s most enduring personas... as played by the electric Michael Cunio, whose vocal pyrotechnics extend beyond the stratosphere, it’s easy to understand the renounced god’s irresistible allure... if rock is a medium that can give amplified voice to the voiceless, the musical might just find some renewed transcendence after all." -- Show Business Weekly
Read the full review!

"The Rockae has burst onto the Hudson Guild Theater with all the energy and intensity of a Bacchanalian bash... Where Euripides used poetry and verse to tell his story, Mills uses old-school, knock-you-on-your-ass, 180-proof (and other such phrases that require dashes) glam rock and heavy metal music, turning the gods of one era into the thoroughly American idols of another... The story may be ancient, but this new interpretation is utterly fresh and vibrant... Like Jonathan Larson before him, Mills comes at his rock music from a musical theatre perspective, trusting his songs to tell the story and convey all necessary emotion. The result is an authentic rock musical that can appeal to both punks who hate musicals and theatre fans who hate rock. There's something for everyone in this tragicomedy tonight." --www.Broadwayworld.com Read the full review!

A partner event of the 2007 NY Musical Theatre Festival...
		Sept. 15 - Oct. 14, 2007 at the Hudson Guild Theater 441 West 26th St. Music & lyrics by Peter Mills Directed by Cara Reichel Adapted by Mills & Reichel from Euripides' The Bacchae Choreography by Marlo Hunter Music Direction by Kevin Haden Stage Management by Bailie Slevin Scenic Design: Sarah Pearline Costume Design: David Withrow Lighting Design: Lily Fossner Sound Design: Daniel Erdberg Production Manager: Mary E. Leach
Featuring:  Nancy Reneé Braun*, Michael Cunio*, Matt DeAngelis*, Victoria Huston-Elem*, Mitchell Jarvis*, Jillian Laub, Stephanie Lo, Jaygee Macapugay*, Meghan McGeary*, Venita McLemore, Andrew Miramontes*, Tracey Petrillo*, Michelle Pruiett*, Rashidra Scott*, Gordon Stanley*, Laura Beth Wells*, Erin Wilson*, Simone Zamore*  *member, Actors' Equity Association

UPCOMING AUDITIONS

Upcoming Auditions for HONOR:

(EQUITY / NON-EQUITY)

HONOR: a new musical

Music & lyrics by Peter Mills
Book by Peter Mills & Cara Reichel
Directed by Cara Reichel
Produced by Prospect Theater Company

Rehearsals: Primarily evenings & weekends, beginning around March 19. M, W, Th, F 6-10pm; Sat 11a-6p; Sun 3p-10p. Daytime tech rehearsals required, 1-10pm, April 16-18.

Performances: 22, between April 19 – May 18 at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 W 26th

AEA Seasonal Showcase, AEA member project stipend $500

Auditions: EPA at Equity, Tues. Feb. 19. Or Feb 16, 17, 20 by appointment. For an appt: email headshot and resume to casting@prospecttheater.org.

HONOR is a new musical in development by 2007 Fred Ebb Award-winning composer/lyricist Peter Mills. The show takes the basic characters of Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT and sets the story in feudal Japan, emphasizing the plot elements of romance and redemption of family honor, and downplaying the broader comic aspects of the play.

CHARACTERS:

Note: Prospect is seeking to cast all the following roles with strong musical theater performers who are Asian-American or of Asian descent. Since it is patterned closely on Shakespeare’s play, additional information on the characters may be gleaned from a review of AS YOU LIKE IT.

Hanako (Rosalind). 20’s. Strong soprano belt / mix, as well as a chest voice sound for when she is disguised as a boy. The daughter of Lord Takehiro, a samurai daimyo. When Lord Otonoshi betrays his brother, Lord Takehiro, he takes Hanako hostage. Clever and strong-willed, Hanako disguises herself as a boy and escapes to seek out her exiled father in the forest with her cousin, Keiko. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with the young samurai Yoshiro, but dares not reveal her true identity to him. Hers is the central story: she struggles with the idea of what it truly means to have “honor” and whether forgiveness or vengeance is the right path. She presents a bold front, but inside is desperately confused by the strength of her own feelings of grief, anger, and love.

Keiko (Celia). 20’s. Mezzo. Lord Otonoshi’s daughter. She is Hanako’s closest friend and confidante, and disapproves of her father’s actions. She runs away to the forest with Hanako. Loyal, beautiful, self-sacrificing.

Mitsuko (Phoebe). 25-35. Alto / belt. A peasant girl, she develops a crush on Hanako, when she is disguised as a boy. Mitsuko is the romantic interest for Kuro, and the most comic of the female characters.

Ayame / Chika. 35-45. Mezzo. This actor plays two roles: Ayame is Hanako’s mother, who is killed when her father is betrayed. In many ways, Ayame represents an honorable ideal which Hanako feels she cannot live up to. Chika is a peasant woman, Yasu’s wife and Kuro’s mother, who takes in Hanako and Keiko and provides valuable guidance to them.

Yoshiro (Orlando). 20’s. Tenor. A handsome, passionate, naïve young samurai. His father is killed by Lord Otonoshi, and he vows revenge. His plans go awry and he ends up hiding out in the forest with Lord Takehiro’s men. He meets and falls in love with Hanako (as a girl), but believes her to be trapped by Otonoshi, beyond his reach. His unrequited love is often self-indulgent, but poignant in its intensity. He struggles to balance the strong emotions of love and hate which possess him, and is confused by his feelings towards Hanako (as a boy).

Makoto (Jaques). 40’s. Baritone. A samurai in Lord Takehiro’s service, who is ashamed that he has failed his lord, and wants to commit seppuku, which Takehiro will not allow. He provides the existential perspective of the show.

Nobuyuki (Touchstone). 30’s - 40’s. Tenor. Keiko’s samurai guardian, who escapes with his mistress into the forest. He has his own unique and somewhat self-serving perspective on what true honor is, and has a comic / ironic outlook on life.

Lord Takehiro (Duke Senior). Baritone. 40’s – 60’s. Hanako’s father, who is betrayed by his brother, and escapes to live in exile in the forest, where he gathers a band of faithful samurai who eventually help him win back his lands. Strong, wise, idealistic, above all patient.

Lord Otonashi (Duke Frederick). 40’s - 60’s. Bari-bass. Powerful, threatening, unforgiving. He is Keiko’s father. At the start of the story, he overthrows his elder brother, Lord Takehiro, and takes Hanako hostage. Eventually, he is forced (at sword point) to convert to the priesthood.

Yasu (Corin). 40’s-60’s. Baritone. A peasant man who takes in Hanako and Keiko when they escape to the countryside. Hearty, stubborn, practical, a bit thick. A straight man for Nobuyuki.

Kuro (Silvius). 20’s. Yasu’s 9th son. Hanako (disguised as a boy) bunks in with him. Kuro is smitten with Mitsuko, who spurns him in favor of Hanako. Sweet, pitiful, hopelessly romantic.

Ichiro (Oliver). 30’s. Baritenor. Yoshiro’s older brother, rational where Yoshiro is hotheaded, who remains true to Lord Otonoshi even after the murder of his father. Otonoshi commands Ichiro to hunt down his own brother, but in the long run he has a change of heart and joins Lord Takehiro’s forces instead.

Kenji (Charles). 30’s. Baritone. A samurai, Duke Frederick’s champion fighter. Ideally, should be physically imposing. May also double in other roles.

Susumu (LeBeau). 25-45. Baritone. A samurai, Duke Frederick’s right-hand man. Scheming. May also double in other roles.

Hiroshi (Amiens). 25-45. Baritone. A samurai, Duke Senior’s right-hand man. Honest, generous. May also double in other roles.

Ensemble Chorus of Men (4-6). Performers with strong movement skills to play a variety of lords, peasants, samurai, etc. Martial arts ability and stage combat experience a major plus, as there will be a number of intricately choreographed fight scenes.

Prospect Theater Company's Dark Nights Series

Prospect Theater Company's Dark Nights Series is an exhilarating chance to see both established and emerging artists explore new ideas on stage. Curated and produced by Dev Bondarin, the Dark Nights Series features everything from magic acts to dance, from new plays to cabaret. Dark Nights are developmental, experimental, and just plain mental!

Prospect Theater Company is a pleased to announce the spring line up of Dark Nights Series shows!
All tickets are only $10!

Detritus
Conceived and Developed By: Lynn Berg, Audrey Crabtree, Larissa Lury, Jeff Seal, Anne Sorce & Liza Zapol / Directed by: Larissa Lury / Bouffon Consultant: Eric Davis / Producer: Teresa Ryno
Tuesday April 22nd at 8pm; Wednesday April 23rd at 8pm

Remember the five pounds of trash you neatly tied up and tossed into the can outside yesterday? What would you do if the contents came back to haunt you? In Detritus, five creatures from the underworld bring to the surface what you thought you'd disposed of forever. Detritus bridges the world of physical theater in the tradition of Lecoq with non-fiction performance. It asks us to question what we discard and to look at where it goes. For more information, please visit www.thecombustibles.com

One Acts About Dead People
Directed by Corinne Neal, Lauren Keating, and Shannon Fillion
Saturday April 26th at 3pm; Sunday April 27th at 8pm; Monday April 28th at 8pm; Tuesday April 29th at 8pm

Three one-act plays, Fishing by Jeff Hoffman, The Ride by Crystall Skillman, and The High Cost of Living by Greg Polin, explore dark hallways, mad scientists, and the mysteries of the afterlife.

Vote Debs In '08
Created by: Sophie Nimmannit and Brian Pickett / Featuring: Liza Bryn, Sean Toohey, Jonathan Farmer, and Erika MacDonald / Music by Jon Braman and Aaron Lisman.
Wednesday April 30th at 8pm

A presidential campaign performance alternative centered around the life and philosophy of socialist and five time presidential candidate Eugene Victor Debs, who once said: "I'd rather vote for something I want and not get it than vote for something I don't want, and get it." For more information, please visit www.packofothers.org/votedebs

The Wedding Dress, Fixed, and DNA
Directed by Dev Bondarin / Produced by Jessica Bathurst
Saturday May 3rd at 3pm, Sunday May 4th at 8pm, Monday May 5th at 8pm, and Tuesday May 6th at 8pm

The Wedding Dress by Leah Ryan
The amusing and unlikely trajectory of a wedding dress that ends up everywhere except where it is supposed to be!
Fixed by Leah Ryan
Apparently women are still doing 60% more household chores than men, roughly the same amount they were doing in 1985. That ain't right! So how about bringing in another man to pick up the slack?
DNA by Christina Gorman
A man. A woman. Their empty apartment. When you sell everything to get something you want more than anything...you get skewed.

And, lastly, special showcases of work created by Prospect's 2008 Producing / Artistic Associates Program:

The Four
Conceived and featuring work by Diana Glazer, Elizabeth Irwin, Jeremy Kronenberg, Christian O'Neill, and Steve Tate
Saturday May 10th at 3pm; Sunday May 11th at 8pm; Monday May 12th at 8pm

Four directors, four writers, one topic. The Four is an evening of new and original work designed to explore the forces of man's destruction, described in the Book of Revelation as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: war, conquest, pestilence, and death. This piece pulls from that theme a collection of FOUR contemporary (non-religious) stories ranging from the dramatic to the absurd to the humorous to the profane.

STARving
Written & Performed by J.J. Adams / Produced by Rene Bionat / Directed by Merete Muenter
Tuesday May 13th at 8pm

An absurd expedition into at zeal-saturated world! A Gutter Glam One Man Show--somewhere between delusions of grandeur and Hollywood Blvd.

All performances will take place at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues).