transFigures Confronts Jerusalam Syndrome, April 6-May 6

transFigures, a new work for Women's Project, conceived and directed by Lear deBessonet, and inspired by the Jerusalem Syndrome (the well-documented psychosis that causes ordinary tourists to channel Biblical figures, create togas out of hotel bed-sheets, and parade through the Holy City as Moses, Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and other religious icons) begins previews April 6th, opens April 16th for a run through May 6th at the Julia Miles Theater, 424 W. 55th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues).

"transFigures--created from sources as varied as the writings of Bathsheba Doran and Joan of Arc, scientific journals, and post-it notes from the desks of corporate secretaries--skips from New York to Jerusalem to map the intersection of religious revelation and insanity," state prss notes. 

"Lear deBessonet, a member of Women's Project Lab for playwrights, directors and producers, has created a work for the stage that is both deeply personal and universal," said Julie Crosby, the new Producing Artistic Director of the 28-year-old theater company.  "transFigures is daring, provocative and visceral.  It forces us to look at the world through a more inquisitive lens.  It's exactly the kind of theater that Women's Project should be producing."                                                        

Jerusalem Syndrome is a psychotic experience that was first diagnosed in 1982 by Dr. Yair Barel, a mental health expert based in Jerusalem.  No one is certain about the cause of the disease, which generally lasts 5-7 days, but one theory holds that it is unnerving for certain believers well-schooled in their faith to finally experience modern-day Israel where, instead of prophets in sandals, one sees people with ipods and cell phones.  

With text by Bathsheba Doran, Joan of Arc, and Henrik Ibsen, and choreography by Andrea Haenggi, transFigures has scenery by Jenny Sawyer, costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Ryan Mueller, sound by Mark Huang, and is line produced by Allison Prouty.  Featured in the cast are:  David Adkins, Dylan Dawson, Juliana Francis, Nate Schenkkan, T. Ryder Smith and Marguerite Stimpson.

Lear deBessonet, who is 26 years old and featured in Time Out New York's "25 People to Watch 2006," is a member of Women's Project Directors Lab.  She is founder and Artistic Director of Stillpoint Productions and has worked beside Martha Clarke, Anne Bogart, and Marianne Weems.  DeBessonet's New York devising/directing credits include Bone Portraits (Walkerspace), Death Might Be Your Santa Claus (a site-specific work performed at an abandoned bank next to the NY Stock Exchange), Flying on the Wing (NY Fringe, Outstanding Solo Show), The Eliots (Center Stage), an early version of transFigures (Calvary Church), The Female Terrorist Project (HERE Arts Center), L'Histoire du Canard (NYU Graduate Acting Freeplay), and more.

Women's Project is dedicated to producing and promoting theater created by women. Founded in 1978 by Julia Miles, Women's Project continues to create opportunities for women in a field where they are conspicuously underrepresented. During its 28 years, Women's Project has produced over 120 mainstage and 450 developmental productions, and published 10 anthologies of plays by women.  Women's Project mentors talented artists through its intensive Lab Series for Playwrights, Directors, and Producers, and serves over 3,300 students through Ten Centuries of Women Playwrights, an award-winning, curriculum-based arts education program. In 1998, Women's Project purchased a historic building on Manhattan's West 55th Street, making it the first and only women's theater company to hold the keys to its own stage.

transFigures plays at the Julia Miles Theater, (424 West 55th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues) Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm & 9pm, Sundays at 3pm. Added performances: Wednesday, April 11 at 8pm and Tuesday, May 1 at 8pm.  Tickets are $42; rush tickets $10 (at the box office only, cash only, one hour prior to curtain on day of performance subject to availability).  Click www.telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200.  Groups: All performances (except 4/16/07) are $25.00/tkt for groups of 9 or more, with one additional ticket free for every 18 tix purchased (limit 3 free tix/order).  The group order number is (212) 757-3900.  Visit www.WomensProject.org for more information.

Photo - Lear deBessonet