Author of George W. Bush Book Leads Talkback at Fear Itself, Jan. 6
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 05, 2006
In addition to writing Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President, published in 2004, Dr. Frank is a Washington, D.C.–based psychoanalyst and professor of psychiatry at George Washington University Medical School. "Equally courageous and controversial, Bush on the Couch:Inside the Mind of the President sheds startling new light on the Bush administration, and explores the question of whether or not George W. Bush is psychologically fit to run the United States," according to press notes.
Fear Itself, Secrets of the White House -- "the world-premiere play by Jean-Claude van Itallie about a certain Emperor Butch, his family, advisers and faithful dog Rover"-- began previews December 10, 2005 prior to its official press opening December 11. Presented by Theater for the New City, Fear Itself, Secrets of the White House concludes its run on Sunday, January 8. The play is directed by George Ferencz.
"Fear Itself, Secrets of the White House, a new farcical tragedy by Jean-Claude van Itallie (whose seminal anti-Viet Nam play, America Hurrah in 1966 was hailed as a major dramatic voice in the 60's anti-war movement), is at once hilarious and harrowing, a witty, politically radical, and utterly up-to-date take on recent international events: while the sadistic, dyslexic Emperor Butch wages war in the far off land of Arockandahardplace, the consequences of his actions and behavior -- not to mention the dysfunction of his mother Big Mommy, his wife Little Mommy, his dog Rover, and his antic cabinet -- are suffered by Emperor Butch's three children locked in the basement of the White House."
The play, which takes its title from the famous words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" -- "considers the ramifications of big money in government, false intelligence, leaks, and the manipulation of the press and public."
Featured in the cast of Fear Itself are Ken Perlstein, Susan Patrick, Timothy Doyle, Joe Gioco, Roland Sands, Rene Andersen and Jenne Vath.
A principal playwright for Joseph Chaikin's renowned Open Theatre, van Itallie numerous plays in addition to America Hurrah include The Serpent, and at Theater for the New City, King of the United States (with Judd Hirsch), Bag Lady, an adaptation of Bulgakov's Master and Margarita, and at La Mama, The Tibetan Book of the Dead and his 1999 solo play War, Sex and Dreams.
"Theater for the New City is a 35-year-old, Pulitzer Prize-winning community cultural center that is known for its high artistic standards and widespread community service. Many influential theater artists of the last quarter century have found TNC's Resident Theater Program instrumental to their careers, among them Sam Shepard, Tim Robbins, Moises Kaufman, Richard Foreman, Charles Busch, Maria Irene Fornes, Adrien Brody and Miguel Pinero. Among the well-known companies that have been presented by TNC are Mabou Mines, the Living Theater, Bread and Puppet Theater, the San Francisco Mime Troupe and the Ma Yi Theater Company. TNC productions have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and over 42 OBIE Awards for excellence in every theatrical discipline."
Through Sunday, January 8, performances of Fear Itself run Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling 212-254-1109 or online at www.theatermania.com (212-352-0255).
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