Andrew Hovelson To Lead Cast In 2018 Michael Warren Powell Memorial Reading Of INDEPENDENCE DAY

The 29th Street Playwrights Collective has announced INDEPENDENCE DAY: An Old Play to Pay New Debt, written by John Robert Tillotson, as the recipient of the 2018 Michael Warren Powell Memorial Reading. The reading was named after the late founder of Circle in the Square Rep.

INDEPENDENCE DAY will be presented for two performances: Thursday, July 19 at 1:30pm at the Dramatist Guild Foundation Music Hall, 356 West 40th Street; and Friday, July 20 at 7pm in The Ellington Room, Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43rd Street.

All tickets are free and available at each venue 30 minutes before performance.

A funny, fast-paced farce, Independence Day recounts the foibles and frolics of Colonel Fainwell as he seeks to win the approval of four guardians, all women of singular opinion, in order to marry Anne Lovely, in post-revolutionary New York, 1794. As Colonel skirmishes using his wit, Lovely actively aids and abets the Colonel to escape her predicament. Their journey reveals the joy of adventurous leading to a day of independence.

Andrew Hovelson (Broadway's Lucky Guy, The Father, NYTW's An Ordinary Muslim and NYSF's Othello at the Delacorte) plays Colonel Fainwell, a man more comfortable using the rules of military engagement than the rules of fashion, commerce, and religion to gain independence.

Hovelson is joined by a stellar cast from Broadway, off Broadway, regional theatre, TV and film: Nora Chester, Peggy Cosgrave, Angel Desai, Helene Galek, Priyanka Krishnan, Jodie Lynne McClintock, Anne Newhall and Melinda Tanner.

Independence Day is adapted from Susanna Centlivre's 1718 restoration comedy, A Bold Stroke for a Wife. Playwright Tillotson reexamines that play, originally set in London with a cast of thirty mostly male characters, and streamlines, reduces and "re-genders" its cast to seven women and one man.

"Fewer classical roles are available to women and this play is a perfect vehicle to get a fresh, smart story on stage; female actors will truly relish the roles of this ensemble piece," he noted. "As I developed the concept I became inspired by the music of 80's girl groups and it led to the anachronistic playfulness of the new version. I wanted to re-craft a rollicking, challenging role for the sole male actor."

Playwright Tillotson's work has been presented by Nomad Theatrical (Residual Effects & Project Bairbre), Louisville Improvisers (The Effect of Electronic Devices in the Theatre), The Village Playwrights (The Contemplation of Cupid), 29th Street Playwright's Collective (Summer Play Contest & You Afraid) and The Attic Theatre (The Face of Heaven).

The 29th Street Playwrights Collective's mission is to develop the voices of emerging, mature playwrights through weekly craft discussions, writing and the critique and support of the writing via readings with actors and feedback. We commit to Gender parity in theatre.

29th Street Playwrights Collective presents

The 2018 Michael Warren Powell Memorial Reading

July 19th at 1:30pm and July 20th at 7:00pm

Tickets available at the door.

For additional information visit www.facebook.com/29StPlaywrights/ or www.facebook.com/events/191159731580194/