Not Man Apart to Stage HERCULES FURENS, 6/6-23

Not Man Apart (NMA), the Los Angeles-based physical theatre ensemble since 2004, presents John Farmanesh-Bocca's adaptation of Roman Philosopher and Playwright Seneca the Younger's tragedy Hercules Furens (The Madness of Hercules), opening Thursday, June 6 and closing Sunday, June 23, 2013.

Hercules Furens portrays one of the most bitter and grotesque legends of this half-mortal son of the God Jupiter: Hercules' maddened slaughter of his own innocent wife and children. This athletic adaptation performed by the NMA Ensemble asks, how does a man survive his own unforgivable crimes?

Adapted and directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca and choreographed by Farmanesh-Bocca, Jones Welsh and the NMA ensemble, the Action follows the journey of Hercules, Jupiter's son, through his famous Labours and into his madness when he returns home from battle, induced by the Goddess Juno (Jupiter's Vengeful Wife). Hercules Furens was never produced but only read in Seneca's lifetime, it is considered one of the first plays written that addresses the notion of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of soldiers in battle.

NMA is a collective of performers, dancers, actors, designers and theatre artists who make dance/movement inspired theatre pieces using a mash-up of theatre traditions, modern technology and poor theatre approach. Cultivating new storytelling forms from ancient techniques to present thrilling staging of both modern and classic texts using multi-track scoring, physical prowess, unconventional dance and movement. NMA was originally commissioned in 2011 by The Getty Villa to adapt and stage this rarely done Roman Tragedy in a workshop performance, this production at the Miles Memorial Playhouse located at 1130 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica, is the fully completed World Premiere of Hercules Furens.

The cast features John F. Bocca (Hercules), Alina Bolshakova (Nymphs of Juno), Devon Dionne (Nymphs of Juno), Apollo Dukakis (Amphitryon - Hercules' Human Father), Courtney Munch (Megara - Hercules' Wife), Natacha Roi (Juno - Wife of Jupiter), Randolph Rand (Lycus - the Usurper of Thebes), Eric Dyrhsen (Watchman/Apollo), Noel Arthur (Watchman/Mercury), Jones Welsh (Watchman/Mars), Harrison Bliss (Son of Hercules), and Catherine Galanti (Daughter of Hercules).

NMA has developed quite a following both overseas and in their home state of California. Known for their athletic, intense modern versions of Shakespeare, NMA creates original theatre experiences or reexamine classics from the physical tradition of Grotowski, Meyerhold and the dance theatre world, then to share that work both nationally and internationally. Not Man Apart is an internationally touring physical theatre troupe that performs in a 'poor theatre' style. Maximum effect, with least means, NMA is dedicated to the creation, development, and progression of new works by emerging artists in the performing arts, and sponsors many other Los Angeles based artists as a producer. NMA's mission is to communicate through many mediums- drama, comedy, dance, music, original/classical text and multi-media; and to create highly athletic and innovative theatrical events which are both life affirming and consciousness expanding; to establish a new kind of physical theatre genre that is at the same time exciting, relevant, accessible, ineffable and all inclusive. NMA strives to be among one of the premiere physical theatre ensembles of the Americas.

Tickets are $25. For tickets and information, call 818-618-4772; email admin@notmanapart.com; or visit www.NotManApart.com. The Miles Memorial Playhouse is located at 1130 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica, Calif.

CAST - Alphabetically:
Noel Arthur (Watchman/Mercury)
Harrison Bliss (Son of Hercules)
John F. Bocca (Hercules)
Alina Bolshakova (Nymphs of Juno)
Devon Dionne (Nymphs of Juno)
Apollo Dukakis (Amphitryon - Hercules' Human Father)
Eric Dyrhsen (Watchman/Apollo)
Catherine Galanti (Daughter of Hercules)
Courtney Munch (Megara - Hercules' Wife)
Randolph Rand (Lycus - the Usurper of Thebes)
Natacha Roi (Juno - Wife of Jupiter)
Jones Welsh (Watchman/Mars)

CREW:
John Farmanesh-Bocca (Director)
Devon Dionne (Associate Artistic Director)
John Farmanesh-Bocca, Jones Welsh & The NMA Ensemble (Choreographers)
Jessica Kohn (Lighting)
Allison Leach & Rachel Engstrom (Costumes)
Guillermo Parga (Company & Stage Manager)
Adam Phalen & John Farmanesh-Bocca (Sound Design)
Adam Phalen (Technical Director)
Jessica Westerfield (Board Operator)

John Farmanesh-Bocca, Artistic Director, was awarded an American Theatre Wing scholarship and was trained at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts before serving as directing fellow at the Julliard School's Drama Division from 2003-2005. Farmanesh-Bocca's most recent adaptation/direction credits includeHercules Furens at The Getty Villa, Titus Redux at the Kirk Douglas Theatre (Best Play of 2009 by the Los Angeles Stage blog) and Wish I had a Sylvia Plath at the Edinburgh Festival, which garnered the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award 2007.

Jones Welsh, Managing Director and Associate Artistic Director, received his degree in theatre and dance from the University of Washington in 2000. After five years of touring with Diavolo Dance Theatre, Jones is now the Diavolo Institute Director, teaching acrobatic dance and dynamic movement throughout Los Angeles. Jones co-creates dance theatre collaborations regularly with John Farmansh-Bocca and has premiered work at such venues as the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Ford Amphitheater with String Theory, and the Getty Villa with Olympia Dukakis.

Devon Dionne, Associate Artistic Director, graduated with a BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase College, then performed in New York with Buglisi Dance Company from 2003-2005. During those years she also received her certifications in GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS before moving to Los Angeles in 2005. As a performer, choreographer, wife, holistic health coach (Institute of Integrative Nutrition, 2012), and physical educator, she is dedicated to improving health and happiness through education and the performing arts.

To post a comment, you must register and login.