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The Next Great
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Local Producers Present the Next Great American Playwright by Steven Thornburg "Spotlight On Productions, Inc." is investing and dedicating a week (August 18th through 25th) to the best plays of the 2002-2003 season in the hope of securing a move for one of its shows to Off-Broadway or Broadway. Spotlight On wants to broker a deal for one or more of its productions. With ambitions high, Frank Calo (producer) says that New York and the journalistic round-tables frequently complain that nothing is developing from New York (and instead all plays hail from the regional theater or England). "Now we are offering new works which we rank as first rate and also competitive enough to warrant commercial ventures. These are the best plays of our season which we are offering again." Personally speaking, yours truly is a proud Spotlight On founding member. Presently Associate Producer, I recognize that our only need is to find the next Rockefeller willing to be a patron -- or at least investor -- in the arts. We know that he is there somewhere and would be thrilled to advance one of our playwrights. The best plays in the world are alive in New York City and awaiting discovery. The only little hitch is that competition has grown very tough to get noticed, barring taking clothes off and smearing ketchup all over oneself. We have even done that! However, our chief aim is to promote great original productions. The invitations are going out to many arenas: the League of American Producers, private individuals, press, publishers, literary agents, and contacts that the group members have culled. Sue Marticek, "Spotlight On" Associate Producer, says that in every season wonderful productions miss their big breaks because of the tremendous competition for attention, not to mention that the creators focus all of their energy on the presentation of the work instead of marketing it. "However the productions are already making an Off-Off-Broadway audience cry and laugh; and they have the potential to make a dent in the big context too." Ricardo Cordero, Promotions and Artistic Consultant, has attached himself to "Spotlight On" because the group creates a support team for all of the collaborators. "It cares about the play and the contribution it makes to the American theater." Spotlight On Festivals has embarked upon an exciting new strategy of aggressive marketing. As long-time producers of artistic projects for their own sake, the large body of collaborators making up our circle have decided to take our work to the next level and ask one serious question. How can we best get the attention of investors and money-producers to get our productions to the next level? What do we mean exactly? Simply: Broadway, Off-Broadway or the television/film industry. For such an endeavor, a great deal of thought and legal jumping through hoops has happened. Legal contracts have been signed in order to lay the groundwork for investors to enter into Limited Partnerships. Large and small details have been considered, such as making the viewing accessible to the theatrical industry on Broadway. The venue has been chosen carefully. Chashama Theater's large space is in the heart of Times Square and easily accessible for all: 135 West 42nd St. (between 6th and 7th Ave.) Appearing between August 21st and the 25th in the Showcase of Best Plays of 2002-2003 are: LA FENIX (by Susan Tammany), THE FAIRY PLAYZ (A. J. Wrath), KIWI DREAMS (Renee Flemings), THE 4AM 'LIZBETH (Jonathan Calindas) and WOMEN VS. MEN (shorts by various authors). Spotlight On Productions also has the hit SECRETS NAKED DANCERS TELL (currently playing at Wings Theatre and represented by TheaterMania.com.) which has been touring since June. In addition to these projects continuing in July and August, Spotlight has scheduled the annual Halloween Festival at two Chashama theaters. This very scary festival will host 30 productions of mostly original works which also carry the dream -- and the quest -- to be discovered. Tangible success stories have already materialized. A Tony Award-winning producer will present one of our productions in the fall in a limited run to test the waters. This patronage includes a small two-character play which might not be possible without such clout. Wings Theatre has also booked this play for a five-week run in 2004. Edward Einhorn's GOLEM STORIES is still seeking investors also; however, enough money has been raised to commit to an Off-Broadway run. The Fifth Annual Spotlight On Awards is a sell-out -- with standing room only -- and the fund-raising dollars which its box office has brought in is paying the rent for the Next Great American Playwright Festival. Now very important works will be seen. For your convenience, the following information will provide you with descriptions of the entries in the marketing campaign. Furthermore, you may "read on" for actual press releases of all of the productions which Spotlight On is producing up to the Halloween Festival. The Halloween Festival will be profiled in detail next month. Thank you kindly for your participation in our new strategy. Maybe you will win the lottery and be our Rockefeller! If you have any ideas or leads, please contact me. I am the press agent listed on the press releases.
Best of 2002 - 2003 LA FENIX (Susan Tammany): In the midst of a love triangle, a poet nun fights for the rights of the individual soul and the education of women against the Inquisition in 17th century Mexico. -- 8/21 at 8pm, 8/22 at 5pm, 8/24 at 6pm. THE FAIRY PLAYZ (A. J. Wrath): Six short interconnected one-acts about fairies for adults that your Kindergarten teacher never told you about. -- 8/22 at 2:30pm &11:30pm, 8/23 at 7pm, 8/24 at 1pm. KIWI DREAMS (Renee Flemings) is an experience in sensual pleasure with words, music, and movement. -- 8/21 at 5:30pm, 8/22 at 7:30pm, 8/23 at 5pm & 11:30pm. THE 4AM 'LIZBETH (Jonathan Calindas): Three lifelong friends come of age as they hang out on an abandoned railroad track supposedly haunted by ghost train. -- 8/21 at 3pm, 8/23 at 2:30pm, 8/24 at 3:30pm. SCENES FROM ALL SHOWS -- 8/22 at 12:30pm & 8/25 at 12:30pm. WOMEN VS. MEN, by various authors. An evening of short comedy pieces that pits males against females onstage (and in the audience) in the ultimate battle of the sexes. (This one is a new work. However, Elias Stimac, the producer and creator, is a celebrated presenter from the past season -- with Spotlight On Award nominations for acting and writing.) Fri., Aug.22 at 9:30 pm; Sat., Aug. 23 at 9:30 pm; Sun., Aug. 24 at 8:30 pm (with after-show reception). All of the above are playing at Chashama Theater, 135 W. 42 (6th Ave./Times Square) Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased by calling 212-352-3101 or by logging onto www.TheaterMania.com.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE What happens when an extraordinary woman becomes a nun, advocates the equality of women and meets the Inquisition? Such was the dilemma of Sor Juana de la Cruz. In LA FENIX, Sor Juana is loved and protected by a Countess, loved and protected by a priest. Her story is compelling, provocative and passionate. LA FENIX, by Susan Tammany, will have a special re-staging for backers in August in connection with its several nominations for the 2003 Spotlight On Awards. The public is welcome. Stage Pages (Sherry Braun) says, "One can easily see this play and this very production on a Broadway stage...(LA FENIX is) sensitive work which is relevant to the lives of women, of men, of artists, of feminists, of religious fanatics, and of lovers." Artzine (Louis Lopardi) says of LA FENIX, "Director Joel Froomkin has an eye for the poetical balances in the text, and creates visual poetry with it on the stage…Juana and the Countess dance and whirl in rapture in a signature Judy Jamison fadeout." FOR LISTINGS EDITORS:
Jonathan Calindas has a new play, THE 4AM ’LIZBETH, which has been selected for re-mounting as "best of the year" in a special push for backers which has been undertaken by a New York producer. Calindas and Cuchipinoy Productions have Spotlight On Award nominations (for best production, best writing and best set) from a production of the play which was mounted earlier in the season. According to Calindas, the play is, "a tribute to Elizabeth, New Jersey, the author's hometown. Three lifelong friends come of age as they hang out on an abandoned railroad track supposedly haunted by the ghost train 'The 4am 'lizbeth'. A play about the common man's hopes and dreams in small city America, Jerry, Jay, and Eddie come to terms with the breaks life has given them." Calindas and Cuchipinoy were also accepted this summer into the Midtown International Theatre Festival with another production (WHO AM I) which originated in the Spotlight On season and also has numerous award nominations. FOR LISTINGS
EDITORS: THE FAIRY PLAYZ
On August 22nd you will discover the sordid side of fairies your kindergarten teacher didn’t want you to know about. THE FAIRY PLAYZ asks pointed questions like, “Can a fairy go to A.A.?”; “Can mortals and fairies change powers?”; “Is my daddy a fairy?”; and, “Can a fairy be a bitch and change things from right to wrong?” So put on those pairs of wings and take out that magic wand, close your eyes, adjust your fishnets and make a wish! No one under 17 admitted without adult supervision. THE FAIRY PLAYZ is directed by Anthony Ciccotelli and will play at the “Spotlight On: Best of 2002 Festival” for 4 performances (Fri. 8/22 at 2:30pm, Fri. 8/22 at 11:30. Sat. 8/23 at 7pm, Sun. 8/24 at 2pm) at Chashama 135 West 42nd Street. Andrés J. Wrath is a graduate of the Actors Studio Drama School with a MFA in Playwrighting. His plays have been called “poetic” by the New York Times. Anthony Ciccotelli is the artistic director of 2B Theatre Company. FOR LISTINGS EDITORS: KIWI
DREAMS Two years ago, in 2001, Flemings won the Spotlight On Award for Best Production for DADDY’S HOME. With two productions honored with nominations this year, KIWI DREAMS and COYOTE CALLS, Flemings has a nod in the best female singer category as well! Not to be confused with the opera singer bearing a similar name, this Renee’ works by day as administrator of educational programs at Roundabout. FOR LISTINGS EDITORS: KIWI DREAMS AND OTHER EROTIC FANTASIES, by Renee Flemings. Tender, sweet, tasty fun. An experience in sensual pleasure with words, music, and movement. -- 8/21 at 5:30pm, 8/22 at 7:30pm, 8/23 at 5pm & 11:30pm. (Part of PROMO WEEK's Best of 2002 - 2003, wherein "Spotlight On Productions" presents the next great American playwrights.) Chashama Theater, 135 W. 42 (6th Ave./Times Square) $15.00 at 212-352-3101, or www.TheaterMania.com.
WOMEN
VS. MEN Men have been superior to women since the dawn of time -- or at least the ladies have let them believe that was true! Now it's time to find out exactly which is the stronger of the two in this showdown of the sexes. Audience members will be divided into male and female cheering sections; so come prepared for a farcical face-off between masculine machismo and feminine wiles. In Round One, "Back Stage" critic and New York playmaker Elias Stimac leads this line-up of late-night lunacy with his naked and naughty title play, as well as a racy "Romp" through the history of dating, and an escapade with sexy singles in "Girl's Night Out/Bachelor Bash." Also featured on the bill is a visit with the incomparable LuLu LoLo’s outrageous characters; Robin Rice Lichtig’s look at caveman romance in "Seducing Ramona," directed by Sheree Coluccelli; a contemporary comedy by prolific playwright Eric Alter; and at least two of the following: topless dancers, male strippers, nymphomaniacs, hermaphrodites, ushers, and volunteer stagehands. Warning: Nudity and adult situations -- for mature audiences only. Tickets are extremely limited, so reserve your seats today! FOR LISTINGS EDITORS: WOMEN VS. MEN, by various authors. An evening of short comedy pieces that pits males against females onstage (and in the audience) in the ultimate battle of the sexes. Fri., Aug.22 at 9:30 pm; Sat., Aug. 23 at 9:30 pm; Sun., Aug. 24 at 8:30 pm (with after-show reception). As part of Best of 2002 - 2003, "Spotlight On Productions" presents the next great American playwrights. Chashama Theater, 135 W. 42 (6th Ave./Times Square) $15.00 at 212-352-3101, or www.TheaterMania.com.
SECRETS
NAKED DANCERS TELL You are invited to eavesdrop on the inner monologues of several male dancers (professional and amateur), including Ron Hardwood, the Cowboy, the student Bobby, the Doctor, the whore Jamesie, Narcissus, Dude, and Papi. Warning: adult content with gay, straight and bisexual theme concerns the hopes, dreams, memories, and fears which most men never speak. SECRETS NAKED DANCERS TELL is produced by Spotlight On Productions, winner of three Off-Off-Broadway Review Awards. Frank Calo directs and is also the producer of Spotlight On Festivals, New York's largest on-going/year-round festival, which is producing PROMO WEEK in August to promote the next great American playwrights and THE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL in October to continue the quest for investors and producers on the next level. LISTINGS: WHAT: SECRETS NAKED DANCERS TELL by Steven Thornburg. In the tradition of the monologue form, we promise you more than talking heads and something altogether different from vagina monologues. WHERE: Wings Theatre, 154 Christopher St., in July, Aug. & Sept.& Chashama, 135 West 42nd St., in October & November. WHEN: Re-opens August 27 at 7pm. Call for repertory schedule. TICKETS: www.Theatermania.com or (212) 352-3101. $15. WITH: J.C., Chad Smith, John Ventura, Alexander Da Silva, Scott James, Milton Darnell, Jesse Janowsky, Amir Levi, Susan Bucci, Clay Drinko, Anthony Fusco, Terrence Precord, Donielle Lee (S.M.) and Sarah Soller (P.A.).
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