Affinity Collaborative Theatre Brings W.H. Auden’s For the Time Being to 12/6, 12/7

Affinity Collaborative Theatre brings back its moving and popular production of For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio by W.H. Auden for two nights only at The New York Society Library.

The work will be presented on Sunday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m., and again on Monday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m.

The New York Society Library is located at 53 East 79th Street (just east of Madison Avenue; 6 train to 77th Street).

Written in 1942, when the world was at war, Auden's Oratorio is a parable merging the Biblical and the contemporary with a result that is simultaneously audacious and poetic. Auden points the audience toward seeing present-day attitudes, desires, and failings in the Nativity, to see themselves as both the Wise Men and King Herod.

This concert-style dramatic reading is directed by Michael Cumpsty, star of the Tony Award-winning Copenhagen, and narrated by Maria Tucci, with a cast of exceptional classically trained actors. ACT presented For the Time Being to sold-out audiences in 2007 and 2008. Edward Mendelson, Auden's literary executor, said that it was by far the best production of the piece he had ever seen.

In his later years, W.H. Auden was a member of the Library, and his charging card and related materials will be displayed at the event.

Ticket information is available at www.nysoclib.org/notes/2009/time_being2009.html.

The New York Society Library was founded in 1754, and is the city's oldest library. In the eighteenth century, an organization labeled "Society" meant that it was open to all--availabile to everyone throughout society. The library is open to all for reading, reference, and selected events, with circulation and other services by subscription.
The beautiful landmarked building dates from 1917, and includes reading rooms, spaces for study, stacks, and an exhibition gallery. The library has approximately 275,000 volumes., and hosts a variety of special events, reading groups, workshops, as well as the New York City Book Awards.

Affinity Collaborative Theater is a new company committed to creating stiumlating productions with a community of artists for audiences of entertaining and provocative theater, in order to enlarge and deepen perspectives on our culture and society.

More information on the Library: www.nysoclib.org.

More information on Affinity Collaborative Theater: http://affinitycompanytheater.com/

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