On The Square Productions Premieres THE MINERVAE, Now thru 7/20

The Minervae, directed by Stephen Kaliski, will be performed free to the public for all performances.

Set in the dying days of the Roman Empire, The Minervae - combining both classic theatrical elements with a modern, humorous twist - tells the story of one mythological goddess who refuses to move over for the fashionable new "cult" of Christianity. Jilted, Minerva sets out to re-convert the converted. Standing in her way are the schemes of the other Olympians: bitter Vulcan, volatile Mars, ambitious Apollo, and the enigmatic Diana.

The Astoria Free Theatre Project is a bi-annual theatre production produced by On The Square Productions. The aim of this project is to bring a free, professional piece of new writing to a found space in Astoria. Athens Square Park is located in Astoria, Queens at the intersection of 30th Ave and 30th St just off the 30th Avenue stop of the N/Q lines. Admission is first come, first serve.

Playwright Steven Bost has written numerous plays, most notably The Googie Bears (Grand Prize winner, American Theatre Coop), Pamplona or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Running of the Bulls, and Civil War at the Screeching Eagle Monument. Director Stephen Kaliski was an assistant director for Classic Stage's Three Sisters directed by Austin Pendleton and for The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Little Eagles directed by Roxana Silbert. Mr. Kaliski was also a Directing Fellow on the current Broadway production of EVITA directed by Michael Grandage, directed the Gallery Players production of Knock Knock, and several projects for Page 121 Productions including Alcestis Sequel, His Minute Hand (Hollywood Fringe/45 Bleecker), and West Lethargy (Edinburgh/59E59/FringeNYC).

The Minervae first received a staged reading in 2007, then another in November 2011.

Cast includes: Rob Benson, Scarlett Bermingham, Rick Delaney*, Erik Gullberg*, Amanda Holston, Katie Lear, Jeremiah Maestas, Rachel McPhee*, DL Sams, Michael Swartz, and Gabriel Weissman.

On the Square Productions believes that vibrant and dynamic theatre can be experienced wherever there are fresh ideas and a desire to bring them to life. Their primary mission is to seek out and produce original work by contemporary playwrights with meaningful stories to tell. Always encouraging engagement with the written word, they strive to bring theatre to new audiences through developmental play readings, educational outreach, and site-specific productions throughout Astoria and Manhattan. The Minervae marks the sixth main stage production for On the Square. Past shows include a revival of Quake, by Melanie Marnich, America: A Problem Play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Monroe, Illinois: Over Here/Townie (The Flea), and In Your Image (59E59 Theaters). For more information please visit www.onthesquareproductions.com.

The Minervae is made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

*This is an Equity Approved Showcase. These actors are appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.

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