Sarandon, Hoffmann, Tomei, Etc. Set for 'Armed and Naked'

Armed and Naked in America, a project by non-profit theater organization Naked Angels, will present two politically conscious programs featuring both established playwrights and promising new voices in the theatre world.

This series of new one-act plays taking on the current state of American politics and culture will take place at The Duke on 42nd Street theater, running Wednesday, April 11 through Sunday, April 22nd. This series will feature 14 different playwrights' sharp, often funny takes on American life during wartime.

Chris Sarandon and Thomas Jay Ryan recently signed up as cast members. Other actors include: Katherine Crockett, David Deblinger, Zabryna Guevara, Gaby Hoffmann, Elizabeth Marvel, James McMenamin, Nancy McNulty, Kate Nowlin, Jeanine Serralles, Sarah Sweet, and Yul Vazquez.

Directors involved in the programs include Daniel Aukin, Marisa Tomei, Frank Pugliese, John Gould Rubin, Evan Cabnet, Dave Dalton, Davis McCallum, Michelle Tattenbaum, Rebecca Taichman, Jodie Markell, Pam MacKinnon, and Evan Yionoulis.
 
The first week includes Naked Angels company members Theresa Rebeck (The Scene) and Pippin Parker, as well as Oscar-nominee Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries) and Itamar Moses (Bach at Leipzig). The second week will feature Tony and Drama Desk winner David Rabe (Hurlyburly), Tony Award winner Warren Leight (Side Man), Will Eno (Thom Pain), and Betty Shamieh. Also featured will be short videos by New York-area sketch comedy groups, music performances, and special guests from the political world and entertainment industry.

In the press notes, Naked Angels artistic director Jenny Gersten states, "Armed and Naked in America is part of our company's tradition to offer many theater artists opportunities for creativity and self-expression, along with the chance to be active instigators of political and social dialogue."

The creative team features David Rockwell (set design), Jason Lyons (lighting), Batwin & Robin (video design), Jessica Wegener (costumes), and Tony Smolenski and Drew Levy (sound).

First-week performances of Armed and Naked in America will run April 11-15, Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM, with 2PM performances on Saturday and Sunday and press night on Friday, April 13. The second week will run April 18-22, also with performances Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM and 2PM performances on Saturday and Sunday and press night on Friday, April 20.

Complete performance schedule, according to press notes and subject to change:

WEEK 1:

            President and Man   (Louis Cancelmi) 

            Woman at War    (Alexandra Gersten-Vasillaros)

            Myrtle Beach    (Dan Klores)  

            Szinhaz     (Itamar Moses)

            Hero     (Deirdre O'Connor)

            Untitled    (Pippin Parker)  

            Cards     (Theresa Rebeck)  

            Sonnets for an Old Century  (Jose Rivera)   

With videos by Creation Nation and Movie Geek.

WEEK 2:

            After the Deer Hunter   (Nicole Burdette)  

            Bully Composition   (Will Eno)  

            Propaganda    (Cindy Lou Johnson)

            Untitled    (Warren Leight)

            Gilgamesh the Prince   (David Rabe) 

            The Machine    (Betty Shamieh) 

With videos by The Harvard Sailing Team and filmmaker Topaz Adizes.

Tickets for Armed and Naked in America are $40, and can be ordered by visiting www.telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.  Tickets are also on sale at The Duke on 42nd Street box office (229 West 42nd Street, just west of Broadway), Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 7 pm and Saturday, 12 pm to 6 pm. The box office will be open for performance days Monday through Friday, 4 to 8 pm, Saturday 12 pm to 8 pm, and Sunday two hours before curtain. Visit www.nakedangels.com for more information.

Photo of Chris Sarandon by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.