Unearthed drama NIGHTSONG FOR THE BOATMAN Makes NY Premiere, Closes 1/30

Unearthed Drama Makes Posthumous Premiere NIGHTSONG FOR THE BOATMAN through January 30 at Barrow Group Theatre

"Ms. Bach's highly naturalistic dialogue is transparent, quickly drawing one into the drama's vortex ... a cogent and moving play" - The New York Times (on Name Day)

"Playwright Bach quickly involves the audience, adeptly setting up a modern tragedy as searing as some of Arthur Miller's early work... a masterpiece" - Variety (on Name Day)

"Outstanding, complex... uncommon emotional intelligence" - The New York Times (on Chekhov & Maria)

John Stark Productions will present the New York Premiere of Jovanka Bach's NIGHTSONG FOR THE BOATMAN. Director John Stark was rummaging through the belongings his deceased wife, playwright Jovanka Bach, when he uncovered a never before seen copy of Nightsong For The
Boatman, which she had written over twenty years ago and never shown him. The drama will be staged at TBG Theatre, where Bach's plays Name Day and Chekhov & Maria won rave reviews. Previews begin January 6th with opening night scheduled for January 13th.

NIGHTSONG FOR THE BOATMAN centers on aging, alcoholic, washed-up poet Harry Appleman. When he attempts suicide by jumping off a bridge, Harry is stopped by a sardonic boatman. The boatman wants Harry to give his life to the devil -- unless Harry wins a round of dice. After
Harry loses, he must cross the River Styx or find a willing participant to go in his place.

"Finding NIGHTSONG FOR THE BOATMAN was like uncovering a hidden treasure," explains John Stark. "When I read it, I was utterly amazed. I would rank this play alongside the best works of Albee, Beckett and Ionesco."

NIGHTSONG FOR THE BOATMAN stars John DiFusco, Nicole Scipione, Alex Wells, Michael Byrne, Donna Luisa Guinan, Geoffrey Hillback, Amanda Landis and John Landis. The production is directed by John Stark, featuring costumes by Jaret Sacrey and lighting and sound by Joe Morrissey.

Jovanka Bach, who passed away in 2006 after a lengthy battle with cancer, wrote over a dozen plays while working as a full time medical practitioner. Her plays include O'Neill's Ghosts, Sylvie and A Matter of the Heart (two O'Neill Playwrights Conference semifinalists), Mercy Warren's Tea (Best Play winner from the American Radio Theatre), Name Day (nominated for a PEN West Award), and Chekhov & Maria (First Place at the 2002 Santa Cruz Playwrighting Festival).
Just before her death, she also completed a trilogy of children's short stories entitled "Paddy The Flat-Footed Platypus" and two short stories, "My Mother's Hair" and "Where The Wildflowers Blooms."

John Stark Productions recently produced a feature film version of Jovanka Bach's Chekhov and Maria, currently airing on Super Channel Canada, and coming soon to PBS, BBC, and Russian TV. Stark has staged plays in Canada, the U.S. and London, including translations of In Agony and The Family Glembay by Croation Nobel prize nominee Miroslav Krleza. Stark's own solo show, An Evening With Stephen Leacock, was recorded by RCA at the National Arts Center in Ottawa and has been seen on CBC, BBC, PBS and Bravo. For more information, film clips and reviews, visit www.JohnStarkProductions.com

TBG Theatre is located at 312 W. 36th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue -- accessible from the A,C,E trains at 34th Street). Tickets are $18 / $9 for students & seniors. For
tickets call Smarttix at 212-868-4444 or buy online at www.Smarttix.com.

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