Hangar Theatre Announces 2017 Wedge Series BREAKING GROUND

By: Jun. 08, 2017
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The Hangar Theatre has just announced the shows for its upcoming cutting edge Wedge Series. These four productions will be under the direction of the Hangar Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers its patrons and all community members free admission to the Wedge Series. These shows will take place at The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St, Ithaca, NY 14850. Performances are at 6PM and 8PM on June 22 and 23, and July 6, 7, 13, 14, 27, and 28. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however, they may contain mature language and situations not suitable for children.

The Wedge Series will open with The Room, by Harold Pinter, directed by Michael Alvarez. This is the Nobel Prize-winning British playwright's first play and sets the foundation for his future work. Running from a mysterious past, Rose sequesters herself from the world attempting to find solace within her constructed reality; yet, she discovers she cannot hide herself from the demons that lurk within The Shadows of her mind. The Room will be performed June 22 and 23 at 6PMand 8PM.

Next is The Messenger by Olivia Dufault, directed by Tom Costello. Tom, an Ithaca native, is excited to return to the Hangar in this fellowship capacity, "I grew up attending and performing in plays at the Hangar Theatre, and am thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to the Ithaca community". The Messenger is the bearer of bad news. To everyone. And she is growing tired of it. When she resists her duties and begins changing the message, she must face the fate that awaits her. The Messenger will be performed July 6 and 7 at 6PM and 8PM.

The Danube by María Irene Fornés and directed by Jillian Carucci will run July 13 and 14 at 6PM and 8PM. Embark on a romantic journey as Paul, an American, meets Eve in Budapest. Together, they work to overcome the barriers of language. Will their love conquer the pollution that is overcoming their home? You won't want to miss this timely story.

The Wedge will close with PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA by Thornton Wilder directed by Gabriel Vega Weissman. PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA takes the audience on a metaphorical journey by train through the American landscape. A diverse band of travelers encapsulated in a Pullman car hurtles through time, space and a range of emotions. Don't miss the last show of the series, July 27 and 28 at 6PM and 8PM.

Michael Barakiva, Hangar Theatre Artistic Director and former Hangar Drama League directing fellow comments, "Chosen from a national pool of over 100 candidates, the Hangar Drama League Directing Fellows have put together an electrifying Wedge season. I am beyond excited to share these sexy and edgy productions with our audience, and especially excited to present them in the new Cherry Artspace." The Wedge offers the Ithaca community the "kind of theatre that pulses, vibrates, breathes, and celebrates the experience of being alive through theatricality. As an alum of this program I can say that this is a truly unique experience."

Established in 1983 by Bob Moss, the Wedge has been the proving ground for some of the most innovative and dynamic theatre artists working today, Michael Mayer, Mark Brokaw, Lisa Peterson, Rob Jess Roth, Sam Gold, Rachel Chavkin, Kevin Moriarty, and Joe Calarco. Serving as a home for our Lab Company and led by directors selected for the Drama League Director's Project, The Wedge produces provocative, cutting edge theatre.

Director Biographies

Michael Alvarez is an international theatre director. He's directed at Her Majesty's Theatre, Arcola Theatre, and Westminster Library in London, at the Brighton Festival; and he was a guest director in Slovenia. Other UK experience: a workshop with Punchdrunk, producing at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and leading new musical workshops with Mercury Musical Developments. Selected NY credits: Trouble: A New Rock Musical (NYMF), Pistrix (Midtown Festival), Back (Gallery Players). Recently he directed Salome by Oscar Wilde at Calarts. Member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Education: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama; and California Institute of the Arts. www.michael-alvarez.com

Jillian Carucci is a director, teaching artist and producer. Directing: Biohacker (Exquisite Corpse Company), Mirror, Mirror (Tunnel Theatre), Identity (Tony-Award winner Alice Ripley's solo show). Teaching: scene study and devising (McCarter Theatre Center and Premiere Stages), monologues and business of theatre (CAP21 Conservatory). Currently developing a new play in residency at The Tank. Director of the Industry Practicum and Showcase program at CAP21. Co-founder of Tunnel Theatre, SDC Associate, member of the League of Independent Theater. Graduate of Westminster College of the Arts of Rider University. www.jilliancarucci.com

Tom Costello, freelance director and Ithaca native, is the Director of Artistic Development for Pipeline Theatre Company and an Associate Artist at the Flea Theater. With the Flea he has directed the world premieres of Smoke by Kim Davies and The Wundelsteipen by Nick Jones. With Pipeline, Sleepless City by Tim Chawaga, Shakespeare the Dead by Alex Mills and Bubble and Squeak by Evan Twohy (Samuel French finalist). With Libra Theater Company, The Thirteenth Commandment by Joshua H. Cohen. With Dramatic Adventure he has devised productions in Slovakia and Ecuador before returning to perform them in New York City. Faculty member at Atlantic Acting School where he most recently directed Sarah Ruhl's Passion Play. BFA from NYU/Tisch. www.tomcostello.net

Gabriel Vega Weissman Directing: Steel Magnolias (Co-directed with Marsha Mason, Bucks County Playhouse); The Birds (also adaptation, Scranton University); Mille Miglia (also adaptation, from teleplay by Athol Fugard), Zastrozzi (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Making the Move (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) as well as work with NYMF, National Black Theatre and NYC Children's Theatre. Associate/Assistant Directing: Long Day's Journey Into Night, China Doll, The Winslow Boy (Broadway); Many Off-Broadway/regional productions with Roundabout, Atlantic, Second Stage, Vineyard, Public and Signature Theatres. Co-writer of Loose Canon (licensed by DPS); MTC Fellow; LCT Directors Lab; Three seasons at Williamstown Theatre Festival. www.gabrielvegaweissman.com



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