ReGroup Theatre Offers Open BIG NIGHT Dress Rehearsal, 11/28

By: Nov. 21, 2012
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To celebrate novelist and playwright Dawn Powell's birthday and the first ever NY revival of her play BIG NIGHT, the ReGroup Theatre is offering a special "DRESS REVERSAL" preview performance on Nov 28th- which would be Ms. Powell's 116 birthday.
 
Anyone who comes in period costume – from 1920's  to 1940's can get into the show's preview performance for free.  The remaining tickets will be available for a discounted $15.  The show will be followed with a birthday celebration for Ms. Powell.   To RSVP for the free costumed tickets, visitwww.smarttix.com and use the code BDAY.
 
Regular performances will begin Thurs Nov 29th at 8 PM. General Admission seats are available at $25 and VIP table seats, with champagne and hors d'ourvres are $50. 
 
The site-specific production takes place in Ed & Myra Bonney's loft overlooking New York City. Living the glamorous life, way beyond their means, Ed is desperate to get a major new advertising account and decides to throw a little party to seal the deal with the client. When the client wants Ed's wife, the upstairs neighbor wants Ed and a rival advertiser (and willing wife) shows up to compete for the account, these Mad Men and women rapidly spiral toward a massive hangover as this life-changing party comes to a close.
 
Originally produced by The Group Theatre in 1933, this hysterical play finally gets its first full NY revival.  Though the original starred Stella Adler, Clifford Odets, J. Edward Bromberg and more legendary talents, Powell remained critical of the ill-fated production the rest of her life.  The Group spent months in belabored rehearsal for the comedy, and as talented as they were, critics joked the Group wasn't known for its humor.  Powell even famously quipped of the play's delivery, "That line was funny when I wrote it." After a success staged reading of the play, and an even more fruitful performance of a selection of it at The Group Theatre's 80th Anniversary Tribute in 2011, the ReGroup mounts NY's first full revival!

Performances take place beginning Nov 28th at Shetler Studios, Penthouse #1, 244 W 54th St.  The show runs Wed-Sat & Mon at 8 PM, Sunday at 3. The preview performance on Nov 28th will celebrate Ms Powell's birthday with a DRESS REVERSAL - Any audience members dressed in period attire will be admitted free. The remaining preview night tickets are $18. Tickets for the rest of the run are $25. 16 VIP tickets are available for each show at front row tables, and include a bottle of champagne for 4 people and hors d'ourvers. The Sunday, Dec 2nd matinee includes the option of a 1:30 PM brunch with the cast prior to the show for $50.

Dawn Powell, born 1896, was the author of 16 novels, including Angels on Toast, Dance Night and A Time to Be Born, hundreds of short stories, and 10 plays, of which Big Night was her favorite.   Though frequently compared to fellow New York wit and satirist of the time, Dorothy Parker, Ms. Powell never achieved Parker's level of fame.  In her lifetime, Powell had a dedicated cult fan base, but by the time of her death in 1965, most of her writings were out of print.  It wasn't until recently, through the help of biographer Tim Page and Gore Vidal, that she has been rediscovered by a new generation, and her works, including  her diaries, finally receive the acclaim that had eluded them for so long. Big Night is presented with permission of The Dawn Powell Estate.


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