Giles, Desai, Beck in Young Playwrights' 'What's New?!'

Eight young playwrights (ages 12 to 13), all members of The 52nd Street Project from Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, will debut plays that they have written for themselves to perform alongside a cast of actors that will feature such stage and television stars as Nancy Giles ("CBS Sunday Morning"), Jeremy Beck, Tim Cain, Angel Desai, Reg Flowers, Maile Holck, Josh Moody, and Keira Naughton.

The short plays entitled WHAT'S NEW?!? will play Friday, October 19 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, October 21 at 3:00 PM at The Julia Miles Theater (424 West 55th Street, corner of 9th Avenue).   Admission is free, but reservations are required.

"The 52nd Street Project's Playback program teaches children how to develop characters, invent situations and, eventually, to write short plays for themselves to perform with adult professionals. This year marks a new twist in the program, presenting an all kid-written evening. Essentially marking a reversal of the Project's signature summer program The One-on-One's where the adults write the plays for the pairs. The cast spends Columbus Day weekend in Bridgehampton to rehearse and work on the plays in preparation for free presentation before a general audience in Manhattan," explain press notes.

The 52nd Street Project has spent over 26 years bringing inner-city children together with professional theater artists.  It was founded in 1981 by actor/writer Willie Reale in response to a deepening need to improve the quality of life for New York's inner-city children. 

Admission to WHAT'S NEW?!?, Playback 2007 is free and open to the public but reservations are required. The Julia Miles Theater at is located at 424 West 55th Street, (corner of 9th Avenue).   Reservations can be made by calling (212) 642-5052.