Music Team Announced for THE LAST CASTRATO

Gap in the Wall Productions presents "The Last Castrato" by Guy Fredrick Glass, at the Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street (Bet Avenue A & Avenue B subway: F to 2nd Ave.;6 to Astor). Inspired by true events, the play is directed by John Henry Davis with scenic design by Andreea Mincic, costumes design by Breanda Abbandandolo and lighting design by Mark T. Simmons. Previews begin on November 12th and the Opening is Tuesday, November 16th.

Lewis R. Baratz holds a Ph.D. in musicology. He researched the sacred music tradition in 18th-century Brussels as a Fulbright Scholar and a Fellow. Lewis has published articles in the New Grove Dictionary of Music, Historical Performance, Journal of the Southeast Historical Keyboard Society, Fontes artis musicae, and American Recorder, Oude Muziek, and written a detailed history of the choirboys of the Brussels Collegiate Church. He currently performs on harpsichord, fortepiano, and recorder.

Countertenor Joseph Hill recently graduated with the Master of Music degree (MM) in voice. At Rutgers, he was in the Opera Theater, playing the role of Joad in Handel's Athalia, as well as
involvement with the early music vocal ensemble, the Collegium Musicum. He has appeared three times as soloist with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and made other solo appearances with Amherst Early Music and with the Collegium Musicum. Mr Hill has appeared as soloist with the Rutgers Symphony. Past engagements have also included a recitals and other operas as well as
with the Choral Arts Society of New Jersey, and as soloist in Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. This year, he was named finalist in the 6th
Biennial Bach Vocal Competition sponsored by the American Bach Society and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

"The Last Castrato" tells the story of Alessandro Moreschi, the last of that unique, almost
forgotten group --the castrati-- who were damaged at a young age by forces beyond their control. The play is set at a Vatican that has been uneasily thrust into the twentieth century, as Moreschi becomes the only member of his line to preserve his voice for the newly-invented phonograph. Through his personal journey, as he battles bureaucracy, homophobia, and raw political ambition, he grapples with his sexual identity to find out who he really is. Told with humor, passion, and the music of the castrati, "The Last Castrato" is a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. For more information, visit www.lastcastrato.com.

Guy Fredrick Glass has had performances and readings of his plays in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Washington DC, England, and Japan. Healing and The Therapeutic Hour were published by Smith and Kraus in their 2007 Best Ten Minute Plays series. Dr. Glass is also a psychiatrist who practices in Manhattan and New Jersey. He was for many years Newsletter Editor for the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists, and has spoken at national and international conferences on topics related to gay and lesbian mental health. John Henry Davis (Director)

of theatre, film, and television in New York and across the country, and he has directed at Playwrights Horizons, Mark Taper Forum, Kennedy Center, and Dallas Theatre Center, working with writers and composers such as Beth Henley, Tom Babe, Ossie Davis, and Jason Robert Brown. In television and film, he has directed Oz (HBO), The Sarah Jones Show (Bravo), and was director of the award winning feature film Ordinary Sinner. He also directed the premieres of the plays Papa and Mountain, both starring Len Cariou for tour and Off-Broadway and Daughters
at the Westside Arts.

Performances are Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00 pm. There are special performances at 3:00 pm on Sat 11/20 and Sun 11/28; and 8:00 pm Sun 11/21. There is no performance Wed 11/17 and (Thanksgiving week) on Wed 11/24 & Thurs 11/25. Tickets are only $18. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets - Phone: 1.800.838.3006 (ask for Event Number 125160) or online at www.lastcastrato.com.

 

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