Theater for the New City's Dream Up Festival Presents THE STANDARD UPGRADE, Now thru 8/25

Of the 22 plays being presented by The Theater for the New City's "Dream Up" festival, one in particular indicates TNC's expansion into the world of new media. That is "The Standard Upgrade", written by Angie Montgomery (Manhattan) and Howard Leader (London, England).

"The Standard Upgrade" is based on a television series Montgomery and Leader wrote that has landed at William Morris and Endeavor (WME), United Talent Agency (UTA) and International Creative Management (ICM). The play focuses on three, 40-something year old White men who jump-start their lives with their 20-something year old girlfriends in Manhattan. The piece will have its American debut in the festival, performing five times between August 19th and August 25th (see schedule above).

Just as "Avenue Q" before it, "The Standard Upgrade" relies heavily on television screens and a live video feed to enhance the action that takes place on the stage. The piece's sophisticated use of new media and modern technology is designed to elevate audience member's engagement levels to new heights.

"The Standard Upgrade" highlights diverse social issues such as sex, racism, love and infidelity, all with a comical slant. Sexcapades gone wrong? Check. Racially?charged language? Yup. Angry Jews "jack-booting" their way across the stage, John Cleese-style? Absolutely.

The play is frank in a way that few stage plays ever are; and pigeon-holing characters and making blanket assumptions are humorously challenged at every turn. Audiences will watch the couples in the play say and do things in public that people might normally say and do only in the privacy of their own homes.

When was the last time you saw that on the stage?

The production plays now through August 25, 2012 at Theater for the New City (Caberet Theater), 155 First Avenue (at E. 10th Street) as part of the "Dream Up Festival" (www.dreamupfestival.org).

Performance schedule: Sunday, August 19th at 2:00 PM; Monday, August 20th at 6:30 PM; Tuesday, August 21st at 6:30 PM; Friday, August 24th at 9:00 PM and Saturday, August 25th at 8:00 PM. Running time: 90 minutes. Tickets are $12. Call the box office (212) 254-1109 or order online HERE.

Plus, watch an interview with THE STANDARD UPGRADE's husband-and-wife writer team below!

 

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