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Fear Itself, Secrets of the White House Opens Dec. 11
By: BWW News Desk Nov. 15, 2005
George Ferencz, who directed Theater for the New City's production of Piecework last year, directs Fear Itself, having previously directed a revival of Van Itallie's Motel. Fear Itself, Secrets of the White House, a new "farcical tragedy" by van Itallie (whose anti-Viet Nam play, America Hurrah in 1966 was hailed during 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," according to press notes.
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's 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."
With some exceptions, Fear Itself performs Thursdays through 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 theatermania.com (212 352 0255)
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