Henlopen Theater Project’s fifth summer
season of two plays and a musical will be new and exciting. Under the
direction of new artistic director Ari Laura Kreith of New York and
Rehoboth Beach, the season begins with Songs for a New World a new musical
revue by Tony-award winning composer Jason Robert Brown and starring four
singers from the New York stage. Out of Mind, by critically acclaimed
playwright, Jenny Lyn Bader, is an evening of short plays by some of the
most exciting new writers in American theater. The Guys is the poignant
story of a New York fireman and a reporter who helps him pay tribute to
fallen comrades he lost in 9/11. It was written by Anne Nelson of her own
personal experience and will be directed by Randy White of New York.
"I’m thrilled to be working on such great material with such
talented actors," said Ms. Kreith, "And I am excited to be
bringing these projects to HTP."
In addition, HTP’s New Works/New Voices presents An Evening of New
American Musical Theater co-sponsored by Coastal Concerts and featuring
alumni of the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program, Tisch School of
the Arts, New York University. "This was so well received last
year," said HTP Chairman Roo Brown, "that Coastal Concerts and
HTP didn’t hesitate to bring it back and we hope to have even greater
audiences this year." The show will be Monday, July 21 at 8 p.m.
Rehearsals are going on now in New York for the season. "It has
been a glorious process, the actors are extraordinary," said Ms.
Kreith, "There’s a fabulous spirit of ensemble and sense of
adventure as we delve into these new plays and songs."
In Songs for a New World, Jason Brown, who wrote the music for Parade,
has written songs for sixteen diverse worlds from Betsy Ross to broken
hearts, from the deck of a Spanish sailing ship to a Bronx basketball
court which are performed by Stuart Ambrose, Nora Eddie, Kevin Quinn and
Gwendolyn Walker.
Out of Mind, a new play by Ms. Bader, is an evening of short plays
filled with laughter and occasional heartbreak. The New Yorker reviewed
Ms. Bader’s play None of the Above, as a snappy new comedy played with
wit and candor by the two characters. In this new play the ensemble
includes David Alan Basche and Alysia Reiner.
The Guys author Anne Nelson had never written a play. As a veteran war
correspondent and Columbia University journalism professor her experience
was to address issues with hard news. That is until September 11 when as a
New Yorker she joined the rest of the world struggling to come to terms
with the tragedy. A friend of her sisters called to ask if she might help
a New York City fire captain write eulogies for eight fallen comrades—a
process that proved painfully emotional, and in the end a life-affirming
experience for both. "The result is a moving theater experience that
articulates the emotions and longings many people have faced since the
horror of Sept. 11," wrote Jo Kadlecek of the Columbia News.
"I’m amazed at what each individual brings to the process,"
said Ms. Kreith, "as we explore the dramatic depths of Jason Brown’s
music and comedic heights of Jenny Lyn Bader’s language. I also look
forward to experiencing the direction of Randy White, who is one of my
favorite theater directors."
Songs for a New World is July 3, 5, 10 and 12 at 8 p.m. and July 6 at 7
p.m., Out of Mind is on July 17, 19, 24 and 26 at 8 p.m. and July 20 at 7
p.m., and The Guys will be July 31 and 31 and August 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. All
performances are in the Little Theater at Cape Henlopen High School.
Tickets are $75 for a subscription and $30 for individual performances.
Call HTP at 302-226-4103.
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