Photo Flash: First Look: Rising Sun Performance Company Presents ELEPHANT At Planet Connections

Rising Sun Performance Company (RSP) returned to the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity (PCTF) for the fifth consecutive year, with the World Premiere of ÉLÉPHANT, written by Eva MeiLing Pollitt. The production is co-directed by RSP Artistic Director, Akia Squitieri, and Associate Artistic Director, Anna Hogan

ÉLÉPHANT has received glowing reviews since it opened on July 11. Opplaud.com stated, "Written by Eva MeiLing Pollitt, Éléphant is the kind of script that could easily find success on Broadway." The final two performances are scheduled for Tuesday, July 31 at 7:30 pm and Friday, August 3 @ 9:30 pm at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center.

ÉLÉPHANT follows the Story of Clérèse. The only world Clérèse has ever known is the 19th century Parisian brothel where her mother, Magdith works as a prostitute. Magdith desperately struggles to protect her daughter from growing up too fast and out of the clutches of her volatile father. Everything is shaken when a young man arrives at the brothel with his master and Clérèse's belly begins to grow. What is the fantastical thing that grows within her?

The play was inspired by an amalgamation of fever dreams, works by Henri de Toulous-Lautrec, the documentaries Born in a Brothel and Netflix's Whore's Glory, and the playwright's travels to France. ÉLÉPHANT was workshopped as a part of Rising Sun Performance Company's Residency program, Laboratorium, last summer on Governors Island.

The production features the talents of RSP's critically acclaimed company members and guest artists. Culling from a pool of international talent, actors representing Brazil, Italy, Germany, Israel, and the US will be featured. ÉLÉPHANT stars Raiane Cantisano (Ms. Estrada/The Flea) as Clérèse, and Ita Korenzecher (Answers to Apathy/Hanging Cow Productions), as her mother Magdith. The ensemble cast includes Eric Parness (Helvetica/RSP), William Serri (Glory of Living/RSP), Laura Lamberti (Terranova/FringeNYC), Maera Daniel Hagage (Graduate of Bezalel Academy of Art & design in Jerusalem), Ayesha Saleh, Maggie Kissinger, Michael Pichardo (Punk Grandpa/Frigid NY), and Danielle Smotrich.

The design team includes costume design by Allison Crutchfield (award nomination for Glory of Living), set design by Akia Squitieri & Anna Hogan, lighting design by Jennifer Burkhardt, and sound design by Jorge Olivio (Gallery Players, Pan Asian Rep).

With creative and production support includes stage management by Krissy Delahanty, assistant stage managers Jessica Kreisler & Carolyn Becker, dramaturgy by Andrew Gonzales & Ashley O'Neil, fight direction & dialect coach Monica Blaze Leavitt (Transport Group), assistant costume design by Frank New, and production support from Jason Karos, Sarah Manas, Ali Basalyga, Ashley O'Neill, Allie McLoughlin, and Susan Cavalcanti.

Tickets are $25 and available online at www.planetconnections.org or at the door.
Performances take place at the Flamboyan Theatre - Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, 107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington & Delancey), New York, NY 10002. Subway: F/M/J/Z to Delancey/Essex. Running time 90 minutes. Due to partial nudity, violence, and adult situations, this production is not recommended for those under 16.

Additional information can be found online at www.risingsunnyc.com and www.planetconnections.org

Rising Sun Performance Company has produced numerous works at PCTF including Donkey which was published by Indie Theatre Now, Next Stage Press, and Smith & Kraus Anthologies. Donkey received 12 award nominations at PCTF, winning four. In 2015, Rising Sun presented The Firebird by Tim Errickson, which received 5 festival award nominations. Their 2016 production of Helvetica garnered 7 Award Nominations and won for Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Script, and Sound Design. Last years revival of The Glory of Living received 9 nominations and won for Outstanding Direction & Lighting Design.

 Photos by N-K Photography

Ita Korenzecher

Raiane Cantisano