Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at NEC SPE / NEC METU, Coming to United Solo This Fall

spit&vigor will present NEC SPE + NEC METU, written by Sara Fellini (winner - 2014 Planet Award for Outstanding New Script, nominated - 2015 NYIT Award for Outstanding Full Length Script), directed by Emma Rosa Went (AMP - HERE Arts, Boxcar - The Tank). The two monodramas will both be performed on October 10th, with NEC METU at 7:30 PM and NEC SPE at 9 PM, as part of an extremely limited engagement at The Studio Theater at Theater Row (410 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036) as part of the United Solo Fest. Scroll down for a sneak peek!

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 site-specific 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 and the set was constructed by Ian Petersen. The play features a life-sized puppet designed and constructed by Pandora Gastelum of the mudlark public theatre in New Orleans. Photography is by Yvonne Allaway.

Tickets are $35 for each performance, $70 for both. For advance reservations, visit unitedsolo.org/us/ufest. For more information, visit www.spitnvigor.com.

Rehearsal photo of Sara Fellini in NEC METU Photo by Emma Rosa Went

Rehearsal photo of Sara Fellini in NEC METU Photo by Emma Rosa Went

Rehearsal photo of Adam Belvo in NEC SPE Photo by Emma Rosa Went

Rehearsal photo of Adam Belvo in NEC SPE Photo by Emma Rosa Went

Rehearsal photo of Adam Belvo in NEC SPE Photo by Emma Rosa Went

Rehearsal photo of Adam Belvo in NEC SPE Photo by Emma Rosa Went

Rehearsal photo of Sara Fellini in NEC METU Photo by Emma Rosa Went