New City Stage Company Presents Expanded 2013-14 Season: A Presidential Era: The 60s, 70s, 80s and Beyond
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) September 09, 2013 -- New City Stage Company is thrilled to announce its 2013-14 season. New City Stage will be in residence at the Adrienne Theater for the fourth year in a row, located at 2030 Sansom Street in downtown center city Philadelphia. This is the company’s eighth full season and includes 3 full professional productions, including a remount of last year’s sold out hit, a Philadelphia premiere, and a world premiere original production. We will also be featuring a brand new another production from our educational program, the Voices for a New City Ensemble. Individual tickets and subscriptions are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the box office at (215) 563-7500.
A Presidential Era: The 60s, 70s, 80s and Beyond
An exciting season of all Philadelphia premieres that surround the personalities trying to get into (and out of) the White House... and all the drama in between. Five captivating theatrical events to keep you at the forefront of politics all season long.
Join us at the Adrienne Theatre again for our 8th season of uniquely provocative theater.
Written by Jack Holmes
Directed by Ginger Dayle
Featuring Russ Widdall as Senator Robert F. Kennedy
October 31 - November 24, 2013
Performing on the Second Stage
The return of the sold out hit! Straight from it’s Washington, D.C. debut.
A historically accurate solo performance which chronicles the last four years of politician Robert F. Kennedy’s life, from 1964 to 1968, and features music, film and footage from the era. Take a trip back to one of the most turbulent periods in our national history and become familiar with the man who would be the voice of a generation, who used his time in public service "to seek a newer world."
"The history play RFK is special in several ways... it's exceptionally well performed by Russ Widdall... and like many single-character shows, shifts back and forth in time, but does so with grace and electricity." —Philadelphia Inquirer
"Russ Widdall's portrayal of a man trying to honestly change the world for the better is convincing and, of course, tragic without an awareness of its tragedy. "—Washington Post
"Russ Widdall’s transformation in RFK is seamless... Widdall doesn’t act like RFK, he becomes him." —DCTheatreScene.com
Written by Peter Morgan
Directed by Aaron Cromie
** Philadelphia Premiere **
December 5, 2013 - January 5, 2014
Performing on the Main Stage
British talk-show host David Frost has become a lowbrow laughing-stock. Richard M. Nixon has just resigned the United States presidency in total disgrace over Vietnam and the Watergate scandal. Determined to resurrect his career, Frost risks everything on a series of in-depth interviews in order to extract an apology from Nixon. The cagey Nixon, however, is equally bent on redeeming himself in his nation's eyes. In the television age, image is king, and both men are desperate to out-talk and upstage each other as the cameras roll. The result is the interview that sealed a president's legacy.
"…nails the political, media and cultural fever of that era…" —AisleSay.com
" As an absorbing character study, there’s no beating this play." —New York Magazine
" Structured as a prize fight between two starkly ambitious men in professional crisis, Frost/Nixon makes it clear that the competitor who controls the camera reaps the spoils." —NY Times
"…ripe entertainment…The cheerily oblivious limey lightweight and the brooding, mortally wounded political animal: Austin Powers vs. Macbeth." —Washington Post
Written by Ginger Dayle
Directed by Russ Widdall
** World Premiere **
March 6 - 30, 2014
Performing on the Main Stage
On March 30, 1981, newly elected President Ronald Reagan walked out of the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. and heard gunfire. Only a few feet away stood his would be-killer, 25-year-old man obsessed with a young actress and a desire for national fame. Although he was not necessarily trying to affect the course of politics, he became the face of the modern assassin. Tying in his personal backstory, the history of American assassinations, Reaganomics, and the spirit of TAXI DRIVER’s Travis Bickle, HINCKLEY is a pop culture fantasia that explores one of our greatest media obsessions and its affect on our national politics.
This is an original production developed by the New City Stage Artistic Directors and stars Sam Sherburne as John Hinckley, Jr., who was featured in last season’s successful Philadelphia premiere of American Sligo by Adam Rapp.
"Your prodigal son has left again to exercise some demons." —John Hinckley, Jr.
West Wing Festival
Running in the Adrienne Theatre Skybox May 12 - June 8, 2014, this 2 part celebration that includes the Presidential Satire Reading Series and the Voices for a New City Ensemble Performance original creation.
Presidential Satire Reading Series
May 12 - 25, 2014
An Evening with Richard Nixon by Gore Vidal
MacBird! by Barbara Garson
Stuff Happens by David Hare
All of the plays in the reading series will feature our reparatory cast of professional actors, including many New City Stage favorites. The readings will all be directed by young up and coming directors and mentored by the New City Stage Artistic Directors.
June 4 - 8, 2014
What Happens in the White House, Stays in the White House: A Perspective on Presidential Family Life
The second year of our education program ignites along with our political season. A new group of young artists will have the opportunity to explore the various couples that have occupied the White House and how their distinctive personalities have shaped American politics. From George & Martha to John & Jackie to Barack & Michelle.... This exciting program will be created completely by our educational interns all year long. The format? Well, you'll just have to stay tuned to see what they come up with!
Opening Night Schedule:
Opening Night performances are the first Saturday evening of each performance run. The pre-reception begins at 7 PM and the show starts at 8 PM.
RFK ................................................... November 2, 2013
Frost/Nixon ........................................ December 7, 2013
Hinckley ............................................. March 8, 2014
The Presidential Satire Reading Series has 3 readings of each play and the first performance of each will be considered Opening Night. Schedule to be determined.
Voices for a New City has a preview performance on Wednesday, June 4 and Opening Night is Thursday, June 5.
For more information:
Interviews: Contact Publicist Ginger Dayle at Ginger.Dayle(at)NewCityStage(dot)org or 215-603-9600
Press tickets: Contact Marketing Associate Sarah Scholl at Sarah.Scholl(at)NewCityStage(dot)org or 717-421-3834.
Please request all interviews and complimentary press tickets at least 24 hours in advance.
About New City Stage Company:
New City Stage Company, founded in 2006, is dedicated to presenting high quality professional theatre that engages audiences on a variety of levels; not only entertaining them but also encouraging awareness of issues relevant to the community. We draw our season from contemporary and classical works, with a special focus on including Philadelphia premiers from playwrights whose work and stories are not normally found in the region.
Ginger Dayle, New City Stage Company, http://www.NewCityStage.org, 215-603-9600, [email protected]
Share this article