Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble to Present A MUMMERS' PLAY

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, is giving a gift to the city. It will stage a winter theatre comedy tradition A Mummers' Play, aimed at bringing back Spring. In previous seasons, when Medicine Show has produced the piece, it has always worked, Spring has always returned to New York!

Previews are Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015; Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015; and Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at 8 p.m. continuing through Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. There are no performances Dec. 23-25, 2015. The show resumes on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015 and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015. There are no performances Dec. 30, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016. Performances resume again on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 and run without a break through Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. Curtains are 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays. The theatre is located at 549 W. 52nd Street, 3rd Floor, near 11th Ave., New York, NY 10019, subway C/E 50th St.

The Mummers' Play, developed by Medicine Show's late artistic director Barbara Vann, to whom this season is dedicated, hearkens back to the medieval English tradition of mumming, where a band of players would bring laughter and merriment to the masses on the darkest nights of the year. For Spring to bloom, there had to be a ritual battle and death, followed by a resurrection and a riotous wedding. This script, based on the ancient tale of Prince George and the Dragon, has it all, with a contemporary interpretation fun for children and adults alike.

Over the years, Medicine Show has performed the piece from New York to Europe. Venues have included NYC's Citicorp Atrium, the New York Public Library and Central Park; in Europe it was staged at the International Christmas Festival in Nancy, France. There, L'Est Republicain newspaper called the production, "A great roar of laughter that bounded down the precipice of the absurd. "

Cast members include Amie Amis, Zoe Anastassiou, Janet Bentley, Joel Bernstein, Chris Brandt, John Cencio Burgos, Oliver Conant, Richard Gross, Richard Keyser, Terri Mateer, Cameron McIntosh, Nishi Rajan, Rao Rampilla, Lynda Rodolitz, Mary Sheridan, and Elizabeth Wine. Mark J. Dempsey, Vann's longtime associate, will direct.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors. Preview tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors. They are available from Smarttix at www.Smarttix.com or (212) 868-4444. Group rates are available by calling the theater directly at (212) 262-4216. For more information, log onto the company's website at www.MedicineShowTheatre.org

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