Metropolitan Playhouse Revives THE CONTRAST 10/2-11/1

Metropolitan Playhouse, called a "theatrical archaeologist extraordinaire" by Backstage, presents a revival of THE CONTRAST, by Royall Tyler, which was written in 1787, and was the first play by an American author to be produced in the new United States. THE CONTRAST will be given a contemporary revival in Metropolitan's home at 220 E 4th Street October 2nd through November 1st, 2009.

In the immediate aftermath of the Revolution, THE CONTRAST
is a comic staging of the moral and social distinction between the new American and the corrupt European. Part call to virtue, part cautionary tale, the play is all comic satire: sentimental Maria Van
Rough is betrothed from her childhood to Billy Dimple, who has returned from Europe a foppish lothario. Loathing Billy's affectations, but bound by her duty, Maria's quandary is complicated when she falls in love with the earnest soldier: Henry Manly. Tangling and untangling the dilemma on the way to a (mostly) happy resolution are calculating belles Charlotte and Letitia, scheming servant Jessamy, naïve rube Jonathan, and the boorish old Van Rough himself.

Metropolitan's production reveals the play, though styled after English Restoration Comedy, as uniquely and subversively American. Critics note that THE CONTRAST takes up the argument of the day through theater: how does a new nation define itself, both by and against the terms of its parent. This new production shows that it challenges both Old World and New World pretenses with every character, from bumpkin to fop. Its American variations on its theatrical models skewer pretense and posturing with satiric wit. The generous are as misled as the selfish, while the
lascivious are as innocent as the pure. Collectively, they paint a comic portrait of both fancy and plain folks' inadequacies and triumphs. Finding correspondence in today's cultural climate, Metropolitan Artistic Director Alex Roe's modern staging emphasizes the play's mockery of all posturing, whether moral or immoral. Costume and set are pared to near nothing, and the richly embellished world of the play is created by the actors literally out of air. The production points out the excesses of the wealthy, the folly of grandstanding righteousness, and the dangers of speculation without substance.

Royall Tyler was a well-read man of the age of Reason and a keen satirist to boot. Raised in Massachusetts, he served briefly in the Continental Army during the war, took up law in civilian life, and ultimately rose to the Vermont Supreme Court. THE CONTRAST was presented a month after his arrival on his first visit in New York in 1787. Its well received production, starring popular actor Thomas Wignell, particularly attracted attention for its author's nationality, for it was the first professional production in the new country of an American's work. Up to this time, most colonies/states banned theatrical production as immoral diversion, and professional productions where they were allowed were of European works.  (Tyler himself was unlikely to have ever seen a full length professional play before he arrived in the city.)

Metropolitan's revival is directed by Artistic Director Alex Roe, whose past credits include the
New York premieres of Elinor Fuchs' and Joyce Antler's Year One of the Empire and Peter Sagal's Denial, and the critically lauded revivals of American treasures Nowadays, Margaret Fleming and The Octoroon. The production stars Frank Anderson, Bryan Close, Ali Crosier, Brad Fraizer, Amanda Jones, Matt Renskers, Maria Silverman, Rob Skolits, and Tovah Suttle. Costume Design is by Sidney Fortner, and Lighting Design is by Christopher Weston. Metropolitan Playhouse explores America's theatrical heritage through forgotten plays of the past and new plays of American historical and cultural moment. Called an "indispensible East Village institution" by nytheatre.com, Metropolitan has earned accolades from The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Backstage for its ongoing productions that illuminate who we are by revealing where we have come from. Recent productions include the Federal Theater Project's Power, It Pays to Advertise, Year One of the Empire, The Pioneer: 5 plays by Eugene O'Neill, Denial and The Melting Pot, as well as the Alphabet City and East Village Chronicles series.

THE CONTRAST begins five previews on Friday, October 2, and opens Friday, October 9 to run through Sunday, November 1.  Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at
3pm. There will be a special, Pay-What-You-Will performance on Monday, October 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students, seniors and previews general admissions, and $10 for Children under 18. To purchase tickets online visit www.metropolitanplayhouse.org, or call The Playhouse at 212 995 5302.

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