The Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) Shakespeare workshop is performing a staged reading of Richard 111 this weekend July 16 – 18.
According to MST&DA:
MSTDAs Shakespeare Workshop is presenting Richard ll as a fully staged reading in the intimate black box Howe Theatre of Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance on July 16, 17 & 18. This show has something for everyone with its classic text, historical intrigue, modern relevance, live music and… puppets!
This is just the beginning of a new Shakespeare production here on Roosevelt Island, which includes original songs by MSTDA composer Jonathan Fadner (The Monkey King, Ghosts All Around Us, The Wind in the Willows.) The Shakespeare Workshop is a vehicle to develop a new project with theatrical elements and professional actors. The seed for Steven Engs Richard ll has been germinating for a few years and he refers to it as his passion project. It took a big leap toward the stage when Eng enlisted Fadner to write original songs for guitar and voice, which the actors perform live, interwoven into the texture of the poetically rich text. The creative team and cast embarked on this experimental adventure together only 3 weeks ago and are offering the Roosevelt Island audience an early glimpse into Engs ambitious reimagining of this play.
Its time to bring the MSTDA and Roosevelt Island community back into the theatre. I can think of no better reason to present one of Shakespeares most poetically rich plays about finding ones humanity in the midst of chaos. Steven Eng (Director/Actor)
Seize the opportunity to view theatre that has a very exciting unexpected element… Puppets! Puppets are coming to life as the cast of Richard ll embodies the historical characters of Shakespeares play. Steven Engs vision for this play incorporates handmade puppets made by Tanya Starace and costumed by Jeanne Castagnaro. The puppets offer a unique perspective from the eyes of a king who falls from heavenly heights to an earthy pit. This concept makes for a thought-provoking and profound theatre experience.
Director Steven Eng, Music Director Jonathan Fadner, Assistant Director Rachel Reuben, Stage Manager Zackry Childers, Props Designer Tanya Starace, Costume Designer, Jeanne Castagnaro, Featuring Russ Cusick, Steven Eng, Andy English, Kimbirdlee Fadner, Jacqueline Lucid
DATES/TIMES/LOCATION
July 16th 7pm, July 17th 2pm & 7pm, July 18th 5pm
THE HOWE THEATRE
548 Main St.
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044TICKETS General Admission $20, Student/Senior $15
*MSTDA is committed to the health and safety of their community. Covid safety guidelines, masks and limited audience capacity will be observed.
