Michael Aronov's MANIGMA Closes Off-Bway, 3/13

Performances of Manigma, the controversial solo show from highly acclaimed thespian Michael Aronov (Miss Julie, Mauritius, Spain) close at the Harold Clurman Theater on Theatre Row March 13. Performances began, January 15. Created and performed by Aronov, Manigma is directed by Stephen Adly Guirgis, whose most recent play, The Little Flower of East Orange, starring Ellen Burstyn and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, just completed an extended run at The Public Theater. Manigma expands to Off-Broadway following a slate of sold-out performances of the show in 2006.

Manigma depicts six distinct characters-all performed by Aronov: "Chacha" - the saucy and resilient cabaret performer embracing her nasty past; "Sasha" - the beefy old-world immigrant hungry for a companion but stuck in his ways; "Frick" - the introverted penny collector who misses his mom; "T" - the thug from the streets who demands a revolt; "Pinchy" - the vulnerable self-helper hunting for courage; and "Rick" - the uninhibited wild man who urges us to abandon and live. These troubled opposites represent extrapolated versions of the actor's own personality. The show highlights the inner conflict of these disparities and then embraces them, celebrating the complexities that make us unique.

Aronov says of the theme, "I have always been fascinated by polarities. Am I the Monk or the Madman, is something I have been struggling with my entire life. I grew up in Miami, hanging out with troublemakers. I was exposed to sex and drugs and chaos early on-so I knew right away what it was like to knock somebody in the mouth...I saw people shot and murdered in front of me. At the same time I was taking AP classes and getting straight A's in school and writing poetry and being all about family. I created this project, which takes aspects of these dueling entities and gave them a life. It's these polarities that make us extraordinary-flawed and fantastic."

Manigma is presented by [The Process Group Theatre Co. & Great Scott Films, in association with Artists Empire]. Original music for the show is by David Majzlin and Michael Aronov, and scenic design is by Bednark Studios. Lighting design is by Ben Kato and Samantha Flint is the stage manager.

Michael received The Elliot Norton Award - Best Actor, for originating the lead role in Mauritius at The Huntington Theatre in Boston. Most recently he was in Europe firing up the stage as Stanley Kowalski in the classic A Streetcar Named Desire. He worked with Terrence McNally on the world premiere of Unusual Acts of Devotion in Philadelphia. Previously he was in LA under the direction of Estelle Parsons in Salome, starring Al Pacino. He extended his passion for the classics at The Actor's Studio with a Chekhov intensive by Oleg Tabakov - The Moscow Art Theatre. There, Michael collaborated with the late great Joseph Chaikin. Their initial work was on the New York premiere of Sam Shepard's The Late Henry Moss at The Signature Theatre. At the Studio Michael also portrayed Knut in Strindberg's Playing with Fire, directed by Lee Grant, and then Jean in another Strindberg classic, Miss Julie at the landmark Cherry Lane Theatre. He played opposite Annabella Sciorra as her wildly dreamt-up "Conquistador" in MCC's production of Spain at the Lucille Lortel Theatre; the dangerous and flamboyant Dionysus in Chuck Mee's The Bacchae 2.1; and Edgar in an award-winning production of King Lear. On television Michael has been seen in "Life on Mars", "Lipstick Jungle", "Without a Trace" and "Threat Matrix". He made several appearances in the "Law & Order" franchise, worked with the late Bruno Kirby in Barry Levinson's "The Beat", among various episodes on "Spin City", "The Game" and "All My Children." His film work includes Amexicano, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and two Sundance Film Festival favorites: Hedwig & the Angry Inch and the upcoming Lbs. He has been honored nationally with a Level 1 Award for Acting by the NFAA in association with the ARTS; an IRNE Award nomination for best supporting actor, MA; The Greer Garson Award in Dallas, TX; and in culmination of his work he was the recipient of The Individual Grant Award by the Belle Foundation, "exhibiting exceptional talent and potential for achievement in the arts."

 

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