AS WE SPEAK Runs November 7-23 at 14th Street Y

"This is not the time to question authority. You are either with America, or you are not." In a post-9/11, post-Katrina world full of the politics of fear and doctrines of intolerance and hate, what are we willing to sacrifice for our own sense of security? What liberties are we willing to give up so we can go to bed at night? Inspired by Sinclair Lewis' classic It Can't Happen Here , AS WE SPEAK shows the drastic effects on the average American if what eventually emerges as a fascist dictatorship legally wins the American Presidency. Commissioned by RTC, AS WE SPEAK takes a look at what could happen in an America stripped of her civil liberties and the dangers of too much power in the wrong hands.

(re:) Directions Theatre Company is thrilled to offer its first ever commission, AS WE SPEAK. Louisiana playwright John Patrick Bray was asked by RTC to write a modern fable inspired by Sinclair Lewis' classic and controversial It Can't Happen Here. Mr. Bray and RTC Artistic staff have been working tirelessly for almost a year and a half to present a fair and moderate take on Lewis' brilliant original conceit of an administration gone horribly wrong in its efforts to "protect" Americans. A tale of absolute power and terrifying relevance today, Bray's piece is an incredibly important new play and a result of amazing collaboration betwixt a wonderful new voice in playwriting and an up-and-coming theatre comnpany.

AS WE SPEAK features Alyson Brock, Case Aiken, Michael Bertolini*, Rajesh Bose*, Sarah Engelke*, Katherine Lawson, Michael Littner, Kyle-Steven Porter, Michelle Rabbini, and Anthony Rand*.

The creative team for AS WE SPEAK includes David Bengali (Projections Designer), Jack Blacketer (Set Designer), Tim Kaufman (Lighting Designer), and Erin Smiley (Assistant Director/Costume Designer).

The production, produced by (re:) Directions Theatre Company at the 14th Street Y Theatre (344 E. 14th St.) will open to the press on November 7 at 8pm and run November 7-10, 13 - 16, & 20 - 22 at 8pm, and November 15, 22, & 23 at 3pm.Tickets ($18, $13 students) are available online at www.smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444.

(re:) Directions Theatre Company will fulfill the definitions its name invokes. We are dedicated to presenting established texts in new and innovative ways as well as developing and promoting new works for the stage by aspiring artists whose creative voices inspire us. (re:) Directions seeks to challenge and entertain audiences of all backgrounds; incite intelligent conversation and inspire articulate debates; promote and sustain both artists and audiences in order to continually stretch boundaries and present distinctive work of the highest quality.