The New Group (naked), a production division of The New Group, will present A Spalding Gray Matter,
written and performed by Michael Brandt. Directed by New Group
Associate Artistic Director Ian Morgan, the limited Off-Broadway
production will run Wednesday, May 3rd through Saturday, May 27th at
The New Group at Theatre Row. Opening night is set for May 6th.
"A Spalding Gray Matter explores the curious story of Spalding Gray's
illness, disappearance and assumed suicide through the eerily parallel
events of author Michael Brandt's own experience. Melding the
theatrical structure of Gray's monologues with his own sense of the
ridiculous, Brandt seeks to understand what happened to Gray as a way
to define what happened to himself. The result is a story about the
consequences of illness and recovery on the human psyche," state press
notes.Writer/performer Brandt penned Footprints In The Snow, Survival Waltz and Merely Players,
as well as the short film "Everyday Things," an official selection of
the 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival. Brandt has been seen
onstage at The Red Room, The Producer's Club, The Vital Theatre and
Altered Stages. The production will feature set design by
Peter R. Feuchtwanger, costume design by Kristine Koury, lighting
design by Jason Lyons and sound design by Matt Sherwin.
"The New
Group (naked) presents two new plays each season on a modest scale,
allowing experienced and emerging artists alike the freedom to realize
their work free from commercial pressures." Following this production
will be the world premiere of Darci Picoult's Jayson With A Y this June.The New Group kicked off its 2005-2006 season with the critically acclaimed production of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, helmed by Artistic Director Scott Elliott, which extended twice. Its second show of the season, Wallace Shawn and Allen Shawn's play/opera The Music Teacher, opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre in March. The season will conclude with Everything's Turning Into Beautiful by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, with songs by Jimmie James, direction by Carl Forsman and starring Annabella Sciorra and Bobby Cannavale. The production is set for mid-summer.A Spalding Gray Matter
will play at The New Group at Theatre Row (Clurman Theater, 410 W. 42nd
Street) Wednesday–Saturday at 8:00 PM and Saturday at 2:00 PM. Tickets
are $15.00 and can be arranged through Ticket Central at 212-279-4200
or www.ticketcentral.com. Visit www.TheNewGroup.org for more information.
