Justine Lambert and Kenneth Nowell's "The Goddess," a modern-day fairy tale about an open marriage, receives its world premiere at the Write Act Rep Theatre, 309 East 26th Street, beginning Thursday October 10. Directed by Alice Jankell, this new comedy features a cast of five including Tricia Alexandro, Claudia Mason, Larry Mitchell, Sarah Nedwek and Chris Stack. Produced by the Looking Glass Theatre, now in its 20th season, the four-week engagement plays through Sunday November 3, with an opening set for Sunday October 13 at 3pm.
In "The Goddess" a contemporary New York couple pushes the boundaries of their marriage by agreeing to openly pursue multiple partners. Will their respect for each other's freedoms promote greater intimacy? Or will their exploration open up a Pandora's box of unanticipated challenges? Into this world a woman of mysterious origin inserts herself to prescribe a therapy suited for modern times.
Developed by the husband-and-wife team of Justine Lambert and Kenny Nowell, "The Goddess" openly tackles one of society's hot topics, the sanctity and natural necessity of marriage.
Says Lambert, "The unspoken reality that couples crave multiple sex partners, and can even benefit from cultivating multiple relationships seems to be in direct conflict with the ideal of marriage as a relationship founded on monogamy. The common view of marriage as a traditional institution does not allow for this. Our play explores the topic and how fidelity isn't necessarily compromised by sexual openness."
Says director Jankell, "Throughout time we've asked ourselves about the battle between human order -- civilization -- and nature. Greek mythology tells us it is a battle that may never be won. Freudian analysis tells us that controlling our instincts causes anxiety, which in turn can lead to neurosis. Right now, we see the battle's collateral damage in the crisis of our ecology, and climate change. Suddenly we are asking ourselves with a new urgency, who is winning, man or nature?"
Jankell, the creative director of FAB Women, a theatre company under the umbrella of The
Barrow Group, worked for several years for
Disney Theatrical Productions and was associate artistic director of the
Williamstown Theater Festival. Looking Glass Theatre, which is led by Artistic Director Justine Lambert, uses non-naturalistic theatrical exploration, and a feminist-leaning aesthetic to push the boundaries of our imagination, and to challenge our understanding of the world.
"The Goddess" performs from Thursday October 10 through Sunday November 3 at the Write Act Rep Theatre (formerly the
Richmond Shepard Theatre), 309 East 26th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues). Performances are Thu through Sat at 8pm and Sun at 3pm. Tickets, which are $18, are now on sale and can be purchased in advance by calling 866/811-4111 or by visiting
www.lookingglasstheatrenyc.com.
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