Fire Dept 'At War' Returns with Neuwirth, Garofalo

The Fire Dept will present an expanded and updated version of its acclaimed At War: American Playwrights Respond to Iraq, an evening of alternately moving, haunting, and funny material by noted and emerging American playwrights, woven together to present a kaleidoscope of views on the war.

Staged as a single cohesive evening, the piece is crafted by Fire Dept Artistic Directors Jessica Blank, Erica Gould, and Audrey Rosenberg from writing by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen (The Exonerated), Bathsheba Doran, Cory Hinkle, Rajiv Joseph, Ryan Kelly, Peter Maloney, Obie winner and Oscar nominee Jose Rivera (Cloud Tectonics, References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot), Lynn Rosen, and Jonathan Schaefer. It is produced by Audrey Rosenberg (Genet's Elle with Alan Cumming and the Capote film Infamous with Daniel Craig) and directed by Erica Gould (Neil LaBute's autobahn and Stand Up), with lighting by Josh Iacovelli.

Originally presented as a one-night-only, sold-out presentation at the National Arts Club in June 2007, At War: American Playwrights Respond to Iraq will be remounted at The Bleecker Street Theatre on consecutive Mondays, beginning January 21. The presentation will feature a rotating repertory of marquis performers, established NYC actors and celebrity hosts including Bebe Neuwirth, Fire Dept company members David Strathairn and Janeane Garofalo, and others to be announced.  (Appearances are subject to change)

"Expanded and updated to reflect the ever-changing situation in Iraq, At War: American Playwrights Respond to Iraq explores how our artists are responding to the situation in Iraq, and how their work mirrors and reflects the consciousness of the country. This bold new work paints vivid portraits of diverse people at war, including a soldier in a VA clinic with post-Traumatic stress disorder, an Iraqi émigré professor, an American human rights worker on the field in war-torn Iraq, two soldiers lost in time on a nameless battlefield, a female suicide bomber, an angel, Satan, and a manic vet with shrapnel lodged in his head that picks up Al Jazeera," explain press notes.

This acerbic and insightful theatrical presentation will be followed by a discussion with the artists, and noted speakers whose personal and career experiences have given them a unique perspective on the war, at home and abroad. Writer, activist, and Iraq War veteran, Paul Rieckhoff will be joined each night by the artists and a speaker from Iraq, giving the audience an opportunity to engage with them about the theatrical presentation, the issues and perspectives presented by the work, and the speakers' personal experiences. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their civilian supporters.

At War: American Playwrights Respond to Iraq runs January 21 - February 4, Mondays at 7:30pm. The Bleecker Street Theatre is located at 45 Bleecker at the corner of Bleecker and Lafayette Streets). Tickets are $38.50 available at 212-239-6200 or www.TeleCharge.com.

The Fire Dept is dedicated to igniting questions, sparking controversy, and responding to the urgency of our times. Founding members are: Rob Ackerman, Suzanne Bradbeer, Dave Calvitto, Amelia Campbell, Kathleen Chalfant, Constance Congdon, Chuck Cooper, Stefania de Kenessey,   Jessica Dickey, Anton Dudley, Peter Gallagher, Janeane Garofalo, Jeff Goldblum, Nick Hallett, Judith Hawking, Sarah Nina Hayon, Brian Keith Jackson, Erik Jensen, Toby Jones, Rajiv Joseph, Laurence Klavan, Carson Kreitzer, Neil LaBute, Harry Lennix, Josh Lucas, Matthew Modine, Lynn Nottage, Denis O'Hare, Dael Orlandersmith, Aidan Quinn, Steven Rattazzi, Theresa Rebeck, Gloria Reuben, Jose Rivera, Jake Robards, Edwin Sanchez,  jeremy schwartz, David Strathairn, Sona Tatoyan, Myra Lucretia Taylor, April Yvette Thompson, Sheri Wilner, Rebecca Wisocky. For more information about The Fire Dept, visit www.thefiredept.org