Play About the 20th Century, DeCADEnce, Begins 7/11

P. William Pinto's DeCADEnce, directed by by Akia, will run July 11th through August 25th at UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place, between 1st Avenue and Avenue A).

The show is an original piece written and created expressly for and by the ensemble of Rising Sun, whose past credits include An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein and The Shape of Things.

"Playwright P. William Pinto, Director Akia and the immensely talented ensemble of Rising Sun have spent the last 6 months developing the world premiere production of DeCADEnce - an original work drawing from our eclectic Americana history, told through 10 vignettes each representing a decade from the 20th Century. DeCADEnces explores both the frightening injustices and the triumphant advances of our human history; from Coney Island sideshows, Minstrelsy and Blackface, Old Time Radio to 'Monicagate,' DeCADEnce leaves no stone unturned.  The rotating 16 member ensemble portrays these stories through an array of performance and media styles, inspired by TV Sitcoms, Musicals, Radio Plays, Civil Rights Protests, Live Music, Vaudeville, Carnival & Circus styles and more," state press notes.

"DeCADEnce flies from 1903 to 1998 in examination of the lies, truths, and in-betweens which have plagued this country in the last century. Meet Topsy the Elephant that helped build Coney Island, and witness her gruesome public execution, Follow the conflict of an African-American Actor who has to decide between keeping his job and lowering himself to Minstrelsy, Peek inside the interrogation room of Roswell, NM and see what may or may not have really happened, Listen in on a studio recording a Radio play, and watch the outside during the Depression, dance along to disco music at Studio 54 and re-live the blinding media circus of the Clinton Sex Scandal."

The production features Adam Purvis, Crystal Franceshini, Elizabeth Burke, Julie Bain, Kathleen Schlemmer, Lindsey Smith, Michelle Robinson, Mimi Jefferson, Nicolette Callaway, Paige Patterson, Patrick J. Egan, Reginald Ferguson, Rey Oliver Bune, Rob Richardson and Thomas Farrell.  It is assistant directed by Matthew Kreiner, with Jenna Dempesy as stage manager.

The show runs July 11th through August 25th, 2007 on Wednesdays at 8PM, Saturdays at 10:30PM, July 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 28th, August 1st, 8th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd and 25th.  There is a press preview on Wednesday, July 11th at 8PM, and no performance August 4th.

Tickets are $18, and $14 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets call SmartTix: 212-868-4444 or visit online: at www.horseTRADE.info.