'Revelation Readings' Returns to Red Bull Theatre

Red Bull Theater announces their fall season with the return of "Revelation Readings," an Obie Award-Winning reading series exploring new and classic plays of heightened language, a major new revival of Christopher Marlowe's Edward the Second, a new play workshop called In The Raw, and a second full production to be announced later this season.

Revelation Readings, The Obie Award-Winning reading series returns this fall, from October 1 to January 21, 2008.  Leading off will be a benefit reading of Paula Vogel's Desdemona, featuring Jessica Hecht. Desdemona will be performed at the Playwrights Horizons Mainstage at 7PM on October 1.

All other readings will be at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at 7PM. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketcentral.com or at 212-279-4200.  Both theaters are at 416 West 42nd Street between 9th & 10th Avenues.

A complete list of Revelation Readings follows:

Monday October 1
A Benefit Reading of Desdemona, a Play about a Handkerchief by Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel, starring Jessica Hecht and others to be announced shortly, directed by Red Bull Theater Artistic Director Jesse Berger, with special guest Paula Vogel. Live music follows the Benefit Reading, featuring singer-songwriter Addie Brownlee.  Othello, as seen from the perspective of the women in the play, a satirical and provocatively alternative view of Shakespeare's tragedy.

Monday October 8
The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, directed by Karin Coonrod. Lust, murder, adultery, and lunacy it doesn't get more Jacobean than this masterpiece, with Matthew Rauch.

Monday October 22
Tallgrass Gothic by Melanie Marnich, directed by Leigh Silverman. A stunning, lyrical re-telling of The Changeling set in contemporary rural Minnesota, featuring Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris.

Monday October 29
The Just by Albert Camus, adapted by Anthony Clarvoe. Step inside a terrorist cell circa 1905 and peer into the hearts and minds of young people willing to kill and die for what they believe.  Directed by Ethan McSweeny, featuring Obie Award-winner Michael Stuhlbarg and Tony Award-winner Ellen McLaughlin.

Monday November 12
The Rover by Aphra Behn. A trio of English rakes looking for kicks in 17th century Spain meets a trio of Spanish sisters looking for husbands at carnival in this raucous and raunchy restoration comedy by the first woman to make her living as a playwright.   Directed by Eleanor Holdridge.

Monday November 26
The Lady's Not for Burning by Christopher Fry.  In a world of hypocrisy, post-war superstition and witch-hunting, a man returns from war to find love and redemption in spite of his circumstances, a hilariously chaotic mix of characters wrapped up in a poetic tangle of fun.  Directed by Tony Award-Winner Joseph Hardy, featuring Lynn Redgrave and Richard Easton.

Monday January 7
Bertolt Brecht's Edward II, featuring cast members from Red Bull Theater's production of Marlowe's play, directed by Michael Sexton.

Monday January 14
Don't Fuck With Love, by Kay Matschullat, inspired by Alfred de Musset's play, directed by Lear deBessonet.

Monday January 21
The Cardinal by James Shirley, directed by Carl Forsman, starring Roger Rees.

In-the-Raw

A new Work-in-Progress program will be inaugurated this season, with one of the following projects:

Don't Fuck with Love, by Kay Matschullat, inspired by Alfred de Musset's play.  A contemporary spin on de Musset's love tragicomedy, interpolating Abelard, Heloise, instant messaging, and the power elite.    

Once in Elysium, by David Grimm.  An exploration of the life and death of art historian Johann Winckelmann – a journey full of intrigue, art, philosophy, sex, and murder in 18th century Europe.

Mainstage Production

Edward the Second
Previews start December 11; opening (press) December 14 and Opening Night is December 16.  Performances continue through January 13.
Performances will be at Peter Jay Sharp Theater at 416 West 42nd Street
Tickets go on sale in October at www.ticketcentral.com

"Red Bull Theater presents the world premiere production of Garland Wright's intensely personal adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's masterpiece about the dramatic and often-dangerous intersection of sex, politics, power and love," describe press notes, "The centerpiece of Red Bull Theater's season, this production of Christopher Marlowe's rarely-performed masterwork, Edward the Second, will continue Red Bull Theater's exploration of the seldom-seen Shakespeare classics … Edward the Second is a timely examination of the struggle for personal human rights amidst a powerful public need for political expediency. It examines the question of whether an individual in absolute public power truly has the right to a personal life. In a climate of political opportunism, this play confronts the question of individual and equal rights head on, leading to a devastating examination of human rights and unreasoning love, amidst a great personal and very public drama of politics, ambition, and war."

Artistic Director Jesse Berger will direct the premiere production of an entirely new version of Christopher Marlowe's Edward the Second, working from a manuscript version by the late director and former artistic director of the Guthrie Theater, Garland Wright. Casting will be announced at a later date.

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