Photo Flash: NEC SPE / NEC METU Opens at The Tank's DarkFest

spit&vigor is thrilled to announce the premiere of NEC SPE / NEC METU, written by Sara Fellini (winner - 2014 Planet Connections Award for Outstanding New Script, nominated - 2015 NYIT Award for Outstanding Full Length Script) and directed by Pat Diamond (Yale School of Drama, Manhattan School of Music). NEC SPE / NEC METU will be performed on July 29th at 7PM and July 30th at 3PM for an extremely limited engagement at The Tank (151 w. 46th St. b/t 6th and 7th Ave, 8th Floor) as part of their DarkFest. Tickets are $15. For advance reservations, please visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Check out photos below!

NEC SPE / NEC METU (no hope / no fear) is a collection of two dovetailing monodramas.

In NEC SPE, the great Baroque painter Caravaggio confesses his hideous sins to an imagined or ethereal priest after his own brutal and untimely death, possibly searching for forgiveness. But his swagger and violent personality leave us to question whether he truly wants his sins washed away, or whether he would rather justify his actions in the eyes of God and man.

In NEC METU, the great Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi recounts her notorious rape and torture in order to reclaim her legacy and illuminate her brilliant life and art. She tells her story with wry wit and humor, offering an alternative and often-neglected perspective on art history and her intimate relationships with some of the world's greatest artists.

From the critically-acclaimed and award-winning company members that brought IN VESTMENTS to West Park Presbyterian Church and THE EXECUTION of MRS. COTTON to IRT Theatre, NEC SPE / NEC METU is a deeply intimate story of two wayfaring ghosts that ache to be remembered on their own terms. Although it is set in post-Renaissance Italy, the play delves into issues that are still intensely relevant today, including class and meritocracy, the value and purpose of art, gender politics, sex and violence, as well as sin and redemption.

The cast features Adam Belvo (2015 Planet Connections Outstanding Lead Actor winner, 2016 NYIT Outstanding Lead Actor nominee) and Sara Fellini (2015 Planet Connections Outstanding Lead Actress nominee). The costumes were designed and constructed by Virginia Davis, lighting design is by Mary Ellen Stebbins and the set was constructed by Ian Petersen. The play features original musical compositions by Colt W. Keeney, singer and songwriter for the Austin-based band The Bad Invaders, and a life-sized puppet designed and constructed by Pandora Gastelum of the mudlark public theatre in New Orleans.

For more information, photos, and video please visit www.spitnvigor.com

Photo credit: Yvonne Allaway

Detail: Puppet by Pandora Gastelum

Puppet by Pandora Gastelum

Puppet by Pandora Gastelum

Puppet by Pandora Gastelum

Sara Fellini as Artemisia Gentileschi

Sara Fellini as Artemisia Gentileschi

Puppet by Pandora Gastelum

Sara Fellini as Artemisia Gentileschi

Adam Belvo as Caravaggio

Adam Belvo as Caravaggio

Adam Belvo as Caravaggio