Anderson, Austin & More Set For THE LAST CASTRATO Off-Broadway, Opens 11/16

Gap in the Wall Productions presents "The Last Castrato" by Guy Fredrick Glass, Off Broadway at the Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street (Bet Avenue A & Avenue B; subway: F to 2nd Ave.;6 to Astor). Inspired by true events, the play is directed by John Henry Davis with scenic design by Andreea Mincic, costumes design by Brenda Abbandandolo, lighting design by Mark T. Simpson. Lewis R Baratz is the music director, production stage manager is Michael Alifanz and the production manager is Josh Iacovelli. Joseph Hill is the singer. Previews begin on November 12th and the Opening is Tuesday, November 16th.

The cast includes: Frank Anderson (Mustafa) is the recipient of the 2010 NY Innovative Theatre Award as Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role for The Return of Peter Grimm and some national tours are Fiddler on the Roof and Show Boat. Bethe B. Austin (Mrs. Bristed) made her Broadway debut in Sly Fox, followed by Whoopee and others, as well as Noises Off (Drama Desk Award 'Best Ensemble'). Abe Goldfarb (Swiss Guard/Fred) is the co-founder of the Royal Circus; some favorite roles include Ben Frankllin in We the People: America Rocks!, and the Frontman in Hostage Song. Doug Kreeger (Cesari) won Fringe Award in Veritas,for Outstanding Ensemble and in Swimming Upstream for Outstanding Actor; Off-Broadway, he created the lead role in Rooms: A Rock Romance. Melissa Miller (Lillie) was in "I Never Sang for My Father" with the Keen Co, starring Marsha Mason and Keir Dullea; also recently played Lady Anne in "Richard III" with NY Classical Theatre. Jacob Pinion (Moreschi) returns from London where he was a member of the T.S. Eliot Exchange with The Public and The Old Vic Theaters, favorite credits are Night and her Stars, Metamorphoses, and Kiss Me, Kate. Jonathan Tindle (Perosi) is a recipient of a SAG Peer Award, a Theatre Lobby Award, three Helen Hayes Award nominations, and an NEA Artist Fellowship grant for ' significant contribution to the arts.' Liam Torres (Sarto) was seen at 59E59 Theater's Summer Shorts Festival as Walter in Fit, by Neil Koenigsberg some other NYC credits are Tom in Havana Journal and King Claudius in Hamlet.

"The Last Castrato" tells the story of Alessandro Moreschi, the last of that unique, almost forgotten group --the castrati-- who were damaged at a young age by forces beyond their control. The play is set at a Vatican that has been uneasily thrust into the twentieth century, as Moreschi becomes the only member of his line to preserve his voice for the newly-invented phonograph. Through his personal journey, as he battles bureaucracy, homophobia, and raw political ambition, he grapples with his sexual identity to find out who he really is. Told with humor, passion, and the music of the castrati, "The Last Castrato" is a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. www.lastcastrato.com.

Guy Fredrick Glass has had performances and readings of his plays in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Washington DC, England, and Japan. Healing and The Therapeutic Hour were published by Smith and Kraus in their 2007 Best Ten Minute Plays series. Dr. Glass is also a psychiatrist who practices in Manhattan and New Jersey. He was for many years Newsletter Editor for the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists, and has spoken at national and international conferences on topics related to gay and lesbian mental health. John Henry Davis (Director) of theatre, film, and television in New York and across the country, and he has directed at Playwrights Horizons, Mark Taper Forum, Kennedy Center, and Dallas Theatre Center, working with writers and composers such as Beth Henley, Tom Babe, Ossie Davis, and Jason Robert Brown. In television and film, he has directed Oz (HBO), The Sarah Jones Show (Bravo), and was director of the award winning feature film Ordinary Sinner. He also directed the premieres of the plays Papa and Mountain, both starring Len Cariou for tour and Off-Broadway and Daughters at the Westside Arts.

Performances are Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00 pm. There are special performances at 3:00 pm on Sat 11/20 and Sun 11/28; and 8:00 pm Sun 11/21. There is no performance Wed 11/17 and (Thanksgiving week) on Wed 11/24 & Thurs 11/25. Tickets are only $18. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets - Phone: 1.800.838.3006 (ask for Event Number 125160) or online by clicking here: Buy tickets for The Last Castrato.

To post a comment, you must register and login.