30th Anniversary Production of Durang Play Opens in Jan.

By: Dec. 20, 2006
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The Alchemy Theatre Company of Manhattan, Inc. will present The Vietnamization of New Jersey (A American Tragedy) by Christopher Durang Off-Broadway at The Beckett Theatre (Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street).

Alchemy Theatre Company Artistic Director Robert Saxner will direct the New York premiere for the 30th anniversary production of the two-act play. Previews begin on January 11, 2007 and the opening will be Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 8:00 pm.   

The show will star Blanche Baker with Michael Cyril Creighton, Frank Deal, Susan Gross, James Duane Polk, Corey Sullivan and Nick Westrate.  The set design is by Amanda Rehbein; costume design by Abby O'Sullivan; lighting design by Ku'uipo Curry; sound design by Scott O'Brien and choreography by  Emilie Aguerre.

The Vietnamization of New Jersey (A American Tragedy) is "set in a middle-class home in Piscataway, NJ, where Ozzie Ann (the mother) and Harry (the father) await the return of their Vietnam veteran son, David, and his native bride, Liat. Also on hand are younger brother Et, a sex-obsessed high school junior who eats corn flakes from his unzipped pants; and Hazel, the irrepressible black maid (originally portrayed by a male performer) who is the real power in the household. When David and Liat arrive they are both blind and she is an ex-hooker (who later turns out to be a displaced orphan named Maureen O'Hara). Thereafter comes suicide, adultery, the feeble intervention of a homosexual priest, and the arrival of a super-patriotic, war-mongering uncle -- plus a staccato of outrageous comments by the cynical Hazel," press notes state.

The Vietnamization Of New Jersey was first presented by the Yale Repertory Theatre, on January 28, 1977, directed by Walt Jones.  Christopher Durang's many plays include the recent Miss Witherspoon at Playwrights Horizons, as well as Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You (Obie Award), A History of the American Film (Tony Nomination), Baby with the Bathwater, The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Obie Award, Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner Award) and Betty's Summer Vacation (Obie Award).

Performances of the limited engagement through 1/28 are: Tuesday – Saturday at 8:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm. There are a special performances Saturday 1/13 at 2:00 pm & Sunday 1/14 at 7:00 pm.  Tickets are $25 and available through Ticket Central:  (212) 279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com.  Visit www.atcny.org for more on the Alchemy Theatre Company.

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