CONSTELLATIONS, New Works Showcase Slated for Fall at Tangent Theatre Company

Tangent TheatreCompany announces their Fall line up - a main-stage production of the thought-provoking Constellations by Nick Payne, and a new works showcase of original plays by emerging playwrights.

Constellations will run Sept. 28 - Oct. 22 and NEW17 Works in Progress: a new plays festival will go up weekend of Nov. 9 -12; both at the company's intimate Carpenter Shop Theater in the heart of Tivoli village.

Constellations explores the concept of how lives intersect, and how different outcomes can result, when examined across the theory of a multi-verse (the possibility of existence across multiple universes). The story centers on a couple experiencing life's many twists and turns, presented in alternate scenarios. The show will feature Molly Parker Myers and Tangent's artistic director Michael Rhodes; direction will be by veteran talent Christine Crawfis; producer is Andrea Rhodes, stage manager Tracy Carney, set design CaitLynn Barrett, lighting and sound Mark Weglinski and production coordinator Joanna Battersby. The entire creative team is Hudson Valley-based and mostly women, something the Tangent team is proud of. "We love our local leading ladies, there are so many distinguished women working in theater here. We're lucky to have some with Tangent" remarks Andrea Rhodes.

Constellations premiered in London's in 2012 and then moved to Broadway with Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson in 2015. Tangent held a pub-reading of the play last year, which proved to be one of their most popular to date. "The audience reaction was so strong. We knew this story would resonate with our audience and would be a unique, immersive experience. With so much conflict in the world today, this play will get people thinking about life, love, fate and consequences," states Michael Rhodes. "It will be a powerful and moving journey," he adds.

Following Constellations will be a special version of their NEWvember festival programming - called NEW17 Works In Progress: a new plays festival. This year, the weekend will showcase writers whose work appeared previously with Tangent - but the focus is more hands-on this year as writers work on new drafts of their plays. The purpose of Tangent's new works initiative is to provide a dynamic, interactive place where writers can hear their plays read by seasoned actors and discuss their creative process. Audiences will get a first look at these fresh, original stories. Tangent's shows have boosted visitors and business to Tivoli's eclectic village and select writers have gone on to further acclaim. (NEWvember alumni John Cariani's Love/Sick has been widely produced and James McLindon's Comes a Faery, saw an Off-Broadway run.)

CONSTELLATIONS by Nick Payne: Sept. 28 - Oct. 22, 2017; Thurs. - Sat. @ 8pm; Sun. @ 3pm; tickets $25 NEW17: WORKS IN PROGRESS: Nov. 9 -12, 2017; Thurs. - Sat. @ 8pm; Sun. @ 3pm; tickets $15. Both events to be held at the Carpenter Shop Theater, 60 Broadway, Tivoli. For details and information, visit tangent-arts.org.

Tangent was founded in New York City in 2000 by Dutchess County natives Andrea and Michael Rhodes and Keith Teller, the company re-located to Tivoli in 2009. Tangent is known for their productions of Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, The Vandal by Hamish Linklater, Sight Unseen by Donald Margulies, the American premiere of The Good Father, along with Doubt by John Patrick Shanley and The Zoo Story by Edward Albee - and their popular pub readings.

Pictured: Michael Rhodes and Molly Parker Myers, courtesy Deborah Lopez Lynch

To post a comment, you must register and login.