Naked Angels Gathers Stars To Promote New Work, 5/28-6/9

Naked Angels, New York's eternally boundary-pushing theater company, will, in the latter half of 2008, embark on a new chapter in their storied history, commencing with "Angels in Progress: Old School at The New School," a workshop series of new American plays that will be presented from May 28 – June 9 at The New School for Drama (151 Bank Street).  The announcement, made today by Naked Angels' artistic director Geoffrey Nauffts, signals a reunion of sorts for the famed company, with many of its founding members taking part.
 
Among the artists scheduled to participate in the 13-day event are Casey Affleck, John Robin Baitz, Mia Barron, Stephen Belber, Matthew Broderick, Keith Bunin, Nicole Burdette, Trip Cullman, David Driver, Barrett Foa, Peter Frechette, Danny Gerroll, Chris Gleim, Blythe Gruda, Josh Hamilton, Simotra Houston, Doug Hughes, Kyle Jarrow, Kristen Johnston, Sheryl Kaller, Louisa Krause, Jo Lampert, Jane Amelia Larson, Kenneth Lonergan, Grace McLean, Caitlin Mulhern, Geoffrey Nauffts, Pippin Parker, Jeremy Pasha, Doug Paulson, Larry Pine, Theresa Rebeck, Daniel Reitz, Laila Robins, Chris Stack, Rachel Stern, Charlie Stratton, Elizabeth Swados, Marisa Tomei, and Bradley White.
 
"Angels in Progress" reflects the third level of play development at Naked Angels. Selected plays are rehearsed for an intensive two days to two week period, resulting in some form of public performance, chosen to most accurately serve the playwright's goal for the piece. AIP plays are pared down to their essence, minimizing everything but the most basic elements of technical production.  By focusing on the performance and the text itself, the artist can commit to the task at hand: refining a promising new piece of theater.
 
The complete schedule for "Angels in Progress" is as follows.  Tickets are free.
 
Wednesday, May 28, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Prix Fixe- A delicious tasting menu of four courses by John Robin Baitz, directed by Trip Cullman with Matthew Broderick and Barrett Foa
 
Thursday, May 29, 2 p.m.
 The Investigation of Solitude -A woman revisits her past with an Irish American family in this classic drama investigating the human condition by Nicole Burdette, directed by Pippin Parker with Marisa Tomei
 
7 p.m. -Driving the Saudis
A frequently hilarious, eye-opening look into the power and reach of the Saudi royal family and their American "friends" by Jane Amelia Larson, directed by Charlie Stratton  with Ms. Larson
 
Friday, May 30
3 p.m.- Slurry-Two brothers hash it out in this funny, moving, and profane debate on what it means to make a difference in the world.  Written and directed by Keith Bunin and Stephen Belber with Mia Barron, Mr. Bunin and Mr. Belber
 
7 p.m. Dispatches
"Rock stars started falling like second lieutenants, what I'd thought of as two obsessions was really one." Written and directed by Elizabeth Swados with David Driver, Chris Gleim, Blythe Gruda, Simotra Houston, Jo Lampert, Grace McLean,  Caitlin Mulhern, Jeremy Pasha, Doug Paulson, and Rachel Stern
 
Monday, June 2, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Studies for a Portrait The impending death of a world-famous painter brings out primal instincts in the three generations of men around him.  Written by Daniel Reitz, directed by Geoffrey Nauffts with Peter Frechette, Larry Pine and Chris Stack
 
Tuesday, June 3, 3 p.m.
Trigger, A darkly funny, provocative new play about blame and the struggle to survive tragedy by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Pippin Parker with Louisa Krause
 
Thursday, June 5, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Poor Behavior- Did they or didn't they?  In this dark comedy, suspicions of infidelity fracture a weekend in the country and raise the question of whether cheating just might be a moral act.  Written by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Doug Hughes with Danny Gerroll and Laila Robins
 
Friday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Medieval Play - A disastrous mess from the 14th century, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan  with Matthew Broderick, Josh Hamilton,
Casey Affleck, Kristen Johnston,  and Bradley White
 
Monday, June 9, 7 p.m.- The Gospel According to Adam
In this poignant and often hilarious exploration of faith and reason in modern culture, one man struggles for salvation while the other hangs by a thread.  Written by Geoffrey Nauffts, directed by Sheryl Kaller
 
Naked Angels was formed in 1986 by a group of restless and ambitious artists reacting to a void in the theater community for new and creative voices. We took our name from John Tytell's book, Naked Angels, which referred to Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and other Beats as "a generation that wanted to break out of convention and scream." As a young group, we felt the same way; we needed a place where, through the medium of theater, we could show the world a different perspective of our times. Sometimes outraged, often irreverent, occasionally absurd, and always intelligent, enthusiastic and fun, Naked Angels' work was a spark to which audiences were quickly drawn. The Space, as our theater on 17th Street was known, soon became a vital, thriving crossroads where talented theater artists met and collaborated: the destination of choice for those seeking a truly celebratory theatrical experience. Though it's been quite a few years since we've had a home of our own, that spirit continues today wherever and whenever Naked Angels produces.
 
Dedication to the emerging artist has lead to the company's reputation for developing and producing outstanding, innovative plays. Over the years, Naked Angels has presented hundreds of readings, workshops, and full-scale productions. From Warren Leight's Tony Award winning Side Man to John Robin Baitz's A The Substance of Fire, Kenneth Lonergan's The Starry Messenger to David Marshall Grant's Snakebit, Naked Angels has always been a place where new work flourishes. Some of our more recent efforts, Stephen Belber's Tape, Will Eno's Thom Pain (based on nothing), Elizabeth Meriwether's The Mistakes Madeline Made, and Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell have gone on to receive critical acclaim both here and abroad.
 
www.nakedangels.com 

Photo Credit Walter McBride/ Retna Ltd.