WinterWorks 2016: A Festival of New One Act Plays Begins in January

American Renaissance Theater Company will present WinterWorks 2016: A Festival of New One Act Plays, three programs of intimate new plays in The Shop @Cap 21 from January 5 thru 18. The Festival offers eleven works running in rep that, each in its own way, deal with life's beginnings and endings and how they transform us.

Developed in ARTC's Workshop with a seasoned mix of theater professionals, most of whom work in multiple theater disciplines, the plays in WinterWorks 2016 deal with relatable issues concerning family, friends, love and anxiety.Program Aoffers plays about the foibles of what people do to get by:Tombstones by Julius Landau directed by Kathleen Swan, Universal Experience by Elizabeth Perry directed by Janet Sarno, A Real Workout by Deb Armelino directed by Byron Loyd and The Beeping by Josh Drimmer directed by Kathleen Swan. Program Binvolves the dynamics of relationships: Being There by Fran Handman directed by Elowyn Castle, Dog by Dan Socolov, directed by Joseph R.Sicari, Sleepwalker Time by Linda Kampley directed by Dale Davidson and Playmates by Janet Sarno directed by Elowyn Castle. Program C presents a hilarious departure into the absurd with comic works inspired by Pinter, Chekhov and Ionesco:Pinteresque Dot Com and Vanya Goes Vegas, both written and directed by Bill Cosgriff and The Button Man written and directed by Margo Hammond.

The casts feature Deb Armelino*, Carla Brandberg* (Orange is the New Black), Dave Bobb*, Brandon Boruch*, Joseph Capone* (Yale Rep), Marc Castle* (Romance Language at Playwrights Horizons), Kati Rae Cowardin, Meghan Crosby, Richard Craven*, Dale Davidson, Karin de la Penha*, Nick Garr*, Anita Keal* (Tribute on Bway), Frank Hankey*, Mikel Sarah Lambert*, Kam Metcalf*, Anne Newhall* (Gemini on Bway), James Nugent* (The Nerd on Bway), Robert Quinn, Eric Percival*, Marisa Petsakos, Ralph Pochoda*, Bernard Rachelle* (Spike Lee's Inside Man), James Rutledge* and Kathleen Swan* . (*member Actors Equity)

The ARTC artistic team includes Co-Artistic and Producing Directors Bill Cosgriff (Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference finalist, Thomas Barbour Playwright Award) and Kathleen Swan (The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall on Bway, Audience Award Best Director, Turtleshell Theater). Production Stage Managers Hailli Ridsdale and Nicole Donatantonio. Sound design by Louis Lopardi.

Founded 40 years ago by legendary actors Robert Elston and Elizabeth Perry, American Renaissance Theater Company provides an artistic base for theater professionals, ranging in age from 29 to 92, to explore and develop their talents.

WinterWorks 2016: A Festival of New One Act Plays runs from Tue. Jan. 5th thru Mon. Jan. 18 in The Shop@Cap 21 (18 W. 18th St., 6th Floor). All performances are at 7:30PM unless otherwise noted. Program A: Tue. 1/5; Fri. 1/8; Sun 1/10 at 7PM; Mon. 1/11; Sun. 1/17 at 3PM; Mon. 1/18 at 7PM. Program B: Wed. 1/6; Thu. 1/7; Sat. 1/9 at 3PM; Tue. 1/12; Fri. 1/15; Sat. 1/16. Program C: Sat. 1/9; Sun. 1/10 at 3PM; Wed. 1/13; Thu. 1/14; Sat. 1/16 at 3PM; Sun. 1/17 at 7PM. Tickets are $16, general admission; $10 special for 30 and under. A package of all 3 programs is $40. For tickets go to www.brownpapertickets.com (Keyword ARTC) or call (800) 838-3006. For more information go to www.americanrenaissancetheater.com.

Photo by Michele Becker