The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs.
Created by The Civilians, written by Steven Cosson and
Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by
Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre company The Civilians.
While conducting interviews with people involved with or affected by the mega-church movement, scandal broke about New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard and shook the entire city of Colorado Springs, providing the play's creators with an unprecedented opportunity to capture an important event as it was taking place, and providing the people of Colorado Springs the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns as those events unfolded. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a fascinating and timely look at faith and how it affects the American landscape.
On the eve of the play's first preview February 3rd, the disgraced former pastor has returned to the headlines, first as the subject of a new HBO film documentary about his life debuting later this week, and earlier this week as new allegations by a young male church member of sexual misconduct by Mr. Haggard have been directed at the former pastor.
In addition to audience talkbacks with the cast and creative team after certain performances, according to the theater's executive director
Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, The Vineyard is putting together a panel in March to open a dialogue about some of the issues raised by the piece, including the ban on gay marriage, rights for same sex couples, the separation of church and state and the role of faith in America today.
THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY was created from interviews by Emily Ackerman,
Marsha Stephanie Blake, Brad Heberlee,
Stephen Plunkett,
Alison Weller and the authors with actual persons over the course of 10 weeks in Colorado Springs. Every leading church in the area participated in the project, as did numerous civic organizations, progressive activists, and individuals from all walks of life.
A success at the Humana Festival of New American Plays this past spring in Louisville, Kentucky, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY subsequently had its Los Angeles premiere at Center Theatre Group's
Kirk Douglas Theatre prior to its upcoming bow at The Vineyard this winter.
The cast of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY includes Emily Ackerman,
Marsha Stephanie Blake, Brad Heberlee,
Brandon Miller,
Stephen Plunkett and
Alison Weller, along with musicians
Chris Biesterfeldt, Benjamin Campbell and Richard Huntley. Music direction is by
Erik James.
The production has set design by
Neil Patel, costume design by Alix Hester, lighting design by
David Weiner, sound design by
Ken Travis, and projection design by
Jason Thompson. Choreography is by
John Carrafa.
Since its founding in 2001 by Artistic Director Steven Cosson, The Civilians have created seven original shows: CANARD, CANARD, GOOSE?; THE LADIES; PARIS COMMUNE; GONE MISSING; (I AM) NOBODY'S LUNCH; SHADOW OF HIMSELF; and THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY. The Civilians' work has produced throughout New York and at theaters nationally including A.R.T.,
La Jolla Playhouse, HBO's US Comedy Festival, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. The company has also toured nationally and internationally to universities, arts presenters and festivals. The Civilians received an Obie in 2004 in recognition of its accomplishments in its first two seasons of work.
The Vineyard opened its current season with the critically acclaimed world-premiere production of Tarell Alvin McCraney's play WIG OUT! which extended twice, playing to packed houses and breaking box office records that surpassed such past hits as [title of show] and
AVENUE Q.
Under the artistic leadership of
Douglas Aibel, Vineyard Theatre has presented some of the most provocative and original new plays and musicals written for the stage in the past 27 years. The Vineyard received its first Tony Awards with
AVENUE Q, winner of three 2004 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Other productions of note at The Vineyard include two Pulitzer Prize-winners,
Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN and
Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE;
Craig Lucas' THE DYING GAUL,
Becky Mode's FULLY COMMITTED, AFTER ASHLEY by
Gina Gionfriddo,
Julia Cho's THE PIANO TEACHER, the musical THE SLUG BEARERS OF KAYROL ISLAND by
Ben Katchor and
Mark Mulcahy, and
Christopher Shinn's WHERE DO WE LIVE; as well as premieres of new works by
Nicky Silver,
Kirsten Childs,
Polly Pen, Cornelius Eady and
Doug Wright. The Vineyard's hit musical [title of show] received three OBIE awards for its creators,
Jeff Bowen and
Hunter Bell, and its director,
Michael Berresse, in 2006, transferring to Broadway this past summer.
Douglas Aibel is the Artistic Director of Vineyard Theatre;
Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell is Executive Director.
Performances of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY are set to run February 3 through March 15 at The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street). Performances are Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $60. A limited number of student rush tickets are available for $20 each, two hours prior to the curtain at the box office, with a valid student ID (limit of 2 tickets per ID). For reservations and more information about The Vineyard Theatre, call 212-353-0303 or visit
www.vineyardtheatre.org
Photo by Craig Schwartz
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