Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble Premieres Two Exciting New Works This Month

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, is excited to announce its 46th consecutive season continues with the premiere of Bombs, Gods and Revolutionaries.

The production will be comprised of two sets of one-act plays, performed in repertory, by renowned writers Joel Schatzky and Jack Agueros. Previews begin tonight, March 2; the official opening is set for Saturday, March 5; and the show will close on Sunday, April 24. Performances are scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. There also will be four Sunday performances on March 6, March 13, April 10 and April 24 at 4 p.m. There is no performance on Friday, April 22.

One evening of two one-act plays called Completely Clara and Machiavelli: A Double Life, by Schatzky, former professor emeritus at SUNY Cortland, author of 14 books and several plays, focuses on two historic personalities ahead of their times. Completely Clara is about Clara Schumann, wife of the great 19th century composer Richard Schumann. An accomplished musician in her own right, she became the breadwinner of her family, when that was most unusual for women, as her husband developed dementia. Machiavelli explores the famous but misunderstood philosopher of the Renaissance. Now often regarded as ruthless, he was actually a kind and just ruler.

The other evening will consist of three plays by Agueros, Puerto Rican-American poet, activist and former director of New York's Museo del Barrio, who died in 2014. They are from his Auto Sacramental series, entitled Awoke One, Ye Tragical Historie of Doctor Pedro Albizu Campos, and Notary Sojac. Though these three plays vary in style and tone, they are all influenced by the medieval concept of morality plays and each is hilarious and tragic all at once.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $17 for seniors and students; or $30 for a package deal for both shows. Tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com. Precise performance dates for both sets of one-acts can be found at medicineshowtheatre.org. The theater is located at 549 W. 52nd St., near 11th Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10019, subway lines C/E, 50th Street stop.

This season is dedicated to our late founder and artistic director Barbara Vann, whose commitment to new works and new approaches was unwavering.