Banana Boat and New Perspectives to Present TRUTHS & ACCOMMODATIONS, 11/7-16

Banana Boat Productions and New Perspectives Theatre Company (NPTC) are pleased to announce TRUTHS & ACCOMMODATIONS, two plays by Caribbean authors, including the Trinidadian writer of Banana Boat and NPTC's acclaimed production of The Ritual. This new co- production runs November 7 - 16, 2014 at New Perspectives Studio, 458 West 37th Street, with performances Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30pm and Saturday/Sunday at 2:30pm.

Taking stock of the past is not all it's cracked up to be. In the award-winning solo piece Lifetime by Nigel D. Moffatt (Jamaica), Archie, recently widowed, takes a hard look at married life. In Trinidadian Zeno Constance's Cinderella Syndrome, domestic abuse drives Virginia into a re-imagined fairy tale of temporary, but unsteady comfort. The two plays feature Cindy Brown, Lindon Ferryman, Shykia Fields, Ronald Millwood, Tessa Martin, Ravin Patterson, Carsey Walker Jr.* Meganne George is the Set Designer, Ethan Steimel is Lighting Designer, Teresa Lotz designs the Sound and Merlina Rich designs Costumes. Carolina Arboleda is Stage Manager..

Merlina Rich is the Founder and Artistic Director of Banana Boat Productions. As a producer, director, writer, and actor, she has been involved in various productions over the past fifteen years, all having to do with Caribbean life and its manifestation in the larger world. Among the plays Merlina has produced are Nine to Five Government Style, The New Hardware Store, Have Mouth Will Travel, All I've Got, Pretty Papers and Mamma Decemba. In partnership with the Caribbean-American Repertory Theater, she co-produced Jestina's Calypso Mama Decemba and My Children! My Africa!, which was nominated for an Audelco Award in 2004. Merlina is Assistant Director of The Ritual, originally co-produced with New Perspectives Theatre Company. She is very active in outreach to and collaboration with a range of Caribbean cultural and social organizations to foster greater connections within the community and provide needed services and support to Caribbean peoples.

BANANA BOAT PRODUCTIONS was established in 1998 with the aim of creating theatrical experiences of specific interest to the English-speaking Caribbean community of the greater New York metropolitan area. Our operating premise is this: the Caribbean culture is a multicolored and rich palette of expressions, experiences, and lifestyles that is in need of more exposure in the realm of truly meaningful theater. Banana Boat Productions seeks out plays that focus very specifically on dramatic themes that reflect the historical and cultural development of Caribbean life as well as the present reality of Caribbean culture as it has settled into other global settings. We attempt to bring thought-provoking and realistic theatrical experiences to people who can identify, reflect upon, and appreciate the relevance to their own lives. In this context, our productions can be seen as experiential instruments to promote a greater elaboration, a deeper understanding, and more respectful view of oneself-in this case, a Caribbean self.

NEW PERSPECTIVES THEATRE COMPANY is an award-winning, multi-racial company throughout NYC. Now in its 23rd season, notable productions have included Richard III, starring Austin Pendleton; The Taming of the Shrew (OOBR Award for Excellence), Exhibit #9 by Tracy Scott Wilson (Audelco Award); Jihad by Ann Chamberlain (OOBR Award for Excellence); Admissions by Tony Velella (10 Best Plays Citation, Backstage); the premiere of The Shaneequa Chronicles by OBIE-Winner Stephanie Berry (with Blackberry Productions); Anatomy of a Love Affair by Deirdre Hollman (Optioned by Essence Entertainment); MOTHER OF GOD! by Michele Miller (Princess Grace Foundation Finalist) and innovative productions of Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, Othello, and Julius Caesar. The Company's mission is to develop and produce new plays and playwrights, especially women and people of color; to present classic plays in a style that addresses contemporary issues; and to extend the benefits of theatre to young people and communities in need. Our aim is not to exclude, but to cast a wider net.

DETAILS:

WHEN: November 7-16, 2014

Wednesday - Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3:00pm Saturday matinees 2:30PM

WHERE: New Perspectives Studio

458 West 37th Street, Ground Floor (@ 10th Avenue)

TICKETS: $18/$15 for students and seniors; TDF accepted

Call 212-630-9945 or email bananabpro@gmail.com for reservatiions

Advance Sale: http://www.newperspectivestheatre.org/productions/TRUTHSANDACCOMMODATIONS.htm

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