Red Fern Theatre Company's MARCH to Feature Frank Deal, Rachel Geisler and More
By: Kelsey Denette Mar. 22, 2012
Red Fern Theatre Company (Melanie Moyer Williams, Executive Artistic Director, Ken Hall, Managing Director) announced today that the cast of their World Premiere of Sharyn Rothstein's (Lunchblocked with Ars Nova; Camp Monster at Williamstown Theatre Festival) MARCH, directed byKel Haney (Good Egg with Red Fern Theatre Company; Assistant Director, Manhattan Theatre Club's Wit;) will feature Andrew Ash* (Blogologues with Lively Productions), Frank Deal* (August: Osage County on Broadway; Mac Wellman's Second- Hand Smoke), Rachel Geisler (National Tour of Spring Awakening), Annie Henk* (CollaborationTown's The Play About My Dad at 59E59), Ashley Marie Ortiz* (A Matter of Choice, FringeNYC), Thom Rivera* (Howard Katz at Roundabout Theatre; The American Pilot at Manhattan Theatre Club), John-Michael Scapin (Winner Canada's Triple Sensation), and Melissa Teitel* (DisConnections at 45th Street Theatre). The Creative Team will include Scenic Design by Caite Hevner (My Base and Scruvy Heart with Studio 42), Costume Design by Sydney Maresca (Hand to God at EST), Sound Design and Original Music by Anthony Mattana (named "A Young Designer to Watch For" by Live Design Magazine), and Lighting Design by Marie Yokoyama (Sparkling Objects at Canal Park Playhouse). The production was cast by Darragh Garvey (2010/2011 Casting Resident at Playwrights Horizons) and will be Stage Managed by Michal V. Mendelson*. March was originally workshopped at the Bay Area Playwright's Festival and was a 2010 finalist for the Yale Drama Series Competition.
*Appearing courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association
Two teens take on the real and imaginary monsters in their lives in this funny and compelling theatrical journey through the treacherous worlds of virtual battlefields and real-life adolescence. Though their backgrounds couldn't be more different, Eva Lucia Perez, a 14 year-old from the Bronx, and Michael Meltzer, a 15 year-old kid growing up in the suburbs, are both dealing with complicated families when they meet as avatars in Eden, a fantasy realm in an online game. As they embark on a journey to a new level in the game, Eva Lucia and Michael become unexpected friends, and find in each other the escape they need to get to that place and time when you first realize that the world is bigger than your family.
The World Premiere of MARCH, presented by Red Fern Theatre Company, will have a three-week engagement at The Theater at the 14th Street Y (344 East 14th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues) April 12-29; Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm, with an additional performance on Monday, April 23 at 7pm. Tickets ($20) may be purchased online at www.redferntheatre.org or by calling 866-811-4111.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Red Fern's 2011-2012 Season is also made possible by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency. Production design support is provided by The Edith Lutyens and Norman Bel Geddes design Enhancement Fund, a program of the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (A.R.T./New York). The Dramatist Guild Fund and The Josephine Foundation have also made generous grants to make the 2011-2012 Season possible.
Part of Red Fern's mission is to pair each of their productions with a philanthropic organization whose work relates to the social themes of the play. For Sharyn Rothstein's March Red Fern has partnered with The Educational Alliance Teen Center, a community center for teens who live or go to school in the Lower East Side, and the 14th Street Y Teen Theater Summer Institute,
Since their inception in 2005, THE EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE TEEN CENTER has quickly become a hugely successful center for teens on the Lower East Side. They offer a variety of activities in a healthy, safe, and fun environment, all free of charge to members. Activities include cooking and nutrition classes, sports, College Prep, and discussion groups. This summer the 14th Street Y will be offering their first TEEN THEATER SUMMER INSTITUTE and one Edgie will be receiving a scholarship for attendance. The Educational Alliance's dedicated staff motivates members to develop new skills and interests, improve their grades and academic achievement, and "reach higher" in planning their futures. As Christina, a member of the teen center, says, "If it weren't for Edgies, I wouldn't have anywhere to go. Instead of hanging out on the street, I'm learning new skills, getting tutoring with schoolwork and I'm working hard to be the first person in my family to go to college!"
RED FERN THEATRE COMPANY Through its productions and outreach, the RFTC provokes social awareness and social change. Each play produced by the RFTC addresses social issues that range in scope from local to global. They pair each of their productions with a philanthropy whose work relates to the social themes of the play. A portion of the ticket sales from each play is donated to the designated philanthropy, and they educate their audiences on their mission and activities. By associating each production with a philanthropic organization, they are able to respond directly to the people affected by the issues addressed in the play.
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