Peil, LaChiusa, Etc. Set for Directors Project '365 Plays'

The Drama League Directors Project has announced its participation in Suzan-Lori Parks' play cycle 365 Plays/365 Days, produced by Parks and Bonnie Metzgar and curated in New York City by The Public Theater. 

One of over 600 artistic organizations producing the Pulitzer Prize winner's plays in 16 cities and regions all across the U.S. and Canada, The Directors Project will present "Week 14" of the works at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street) on Friday, February 16 at 11:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 17 at 12 Noon. 

"Week 14" of 365 Plays/365 Days "consists of works with a wildly divergent mix of themes and characters.  They include a fantasia about the birth of Abraham Lincoln; an absurdist gun-shadowed romance (for Valentine's Day!); a Billie Holliday-style blues singer's tribute to her new love, a pig farmer; and a Presidents' Day Sale unlike any other.  The variety of styles and subject matter allow The Directors Project to take advantage of its alumni directors to create a unique theatrical cabaret event," according to press notes.

The plays and directors include: The Birth of Abraham Lincoln, directed by Sam Gold; We Were Civilized Once, directed by Matthew Earnest; The Butcher's Daugther, directed by Daniela Varon; Revolver Lover, directed by Rebecca Holderness; Pig Meat Farming Man, directed by Andrew Volkoff; You Wouldn't Want To Take It With You Even if You Could, directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh; The President's Day Sale, directed by Allison Eve Zell; and The Day After President's Day Sale, directed by Michael Goldfried.

The company assembled for the above plays include Twinkle Burke, Peter Gerety (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Carman Lacivita (Rose Rage), Sue Jean Kim, Kelly McAndrew (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway), Brian Nishii, Tony-nominee Mary Beth Peil and Alex Webb.  The evening also features an original song by Parks (Topdog/Underdog) with music by award-winning composer Michael John LaChiusa (Bernarda Alba, The Wild Party).  Brandon Lowry is the evening's musical director.

"Week 14" of 365 Plays/365 Days features production design by Jacob A. Climer and lighting design by Josh Bradford.  Peggy R. Samuels is the Production Stage Manager.

Now in its twenty-third year, The Directors Project has gained an international reputation for nurturing a new generation of exceptional directors. Alumni include John Rando, Michael Mayer and Mark Brokaw, among others. 

"On November 13, 2002, Pulitzer prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks got the idea to write a play a day for a year.  She began that very day, finishing one year later.  The resulting play cycle, called 365 Days/365Plays, is a daily meditation on an artistic life.  Produced by Bonnie Metzgar and Suzan-Lori Parks, the 365 National Festival launched this play cycle in November 2006 as a yearlong grassroots world premiere in communities around the US and beyond."

Admission is free with a $12 minimum (food or drink).  For reservations, please call 212-244-9494, extension 33.  To find out more, visit www.dramaleague.org or www.365days365plays.com.

Photo of Mary Beth Peil by Linda Lenzi