Lancelot, Merlin, Guinevere and the King of all Knights leap from the pages of British lore onto the stage of The New Victory Theater with the minimalist production, King A. From Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 29th, Holland-based Het Laagland's five fearless actors tackle the epic saga of King Arthur's rise to power that ends tragically in a destructive romantic triangle. The Round Table's legendary code, "to live pure, speak truth and right wrongs," is given modern-day relevance as the versatile ensemble conjures everything from smoldering battlefields to picturesque landscapes to Camelot itself on a barren stage with an arsenal of 40 tiny chairs. Dutch, Scottish and Irish melodies team with acrobatic swordplay and dance to bring forth this exhilarating adventure that is sure to "keep you on the edge of your seat" (Edinburgh Guide).
"A real knight displays dignity with deeds!" "A real knight is always prepared!" "A real knight dares to take risks!" The ideals of The Round Table are proudly announced as a courageous quintet of young actors rush across the stage unfurling majestic flags. With swords in hand and a supply of miniature wooden seats, the troupe transforms, one by one, into valiant knights, cunning wizards and not-so-noble noblemen in this raw, contemporary look at a timeless tale of loyalty and honor.
Arthur is quickly declared king after releasing a magical sword from its rocky imprisonment. With the help of his hot-tempered stepbrother Kay and his personal advisor, Merlin the wizard, King Arthur sets out to change his troubled realm by forming an elite group of knights to create, uphold and defend the law of the land. This hero enlists the help of Lancelot, a brave and truthful knight, and Guinevere, a bold and beautiful woman whose charms ultimately capture both men's hearts. Balancing the fate of the sovereignty with the future of his own love, King Arthur must choose what is best for his people and his heart before time runs out.
Located in Sittard, Holland, Het Laagland is one of the country's leading professional youth theaters. Under the leadership of directors Silvia Andringa, Inèz Derksen and Bas Zuyderland, the Company creates a wide variety of performances for young and adult audiences. Het Laagland's performances encourage young people to continue to challenge themselves artistically by growing, choosing and holding on to their dreams. With the inventive use of simple theatrical means, the Company's performances are open, accessible and direct. Many of their stage productions have been nominated and awarded the annual Dutch-Belgian 1000 WATT Youth Theatre Award.
The performance schedule for KING A at The New Victory Theater is:
Friday, May 13 7:00 pmTickets for KING A are $10, $20 and $30 and can be ordered by visiting Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Tickets are also on sale at the New Victory box office (209 West 42nd Street, just west of Broadway), Sunday and Monday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
VICTEENS
VicTeens is a teens-only (ages 13-18) program that provides pre- and post-show events in addition to workshops and other fun activities. JVT (Junior VicTeens) also offers exclusive events for the "tween set" (ages 11+). KING A is the second of two VicTeens: Behind The Curtain events and takes place on Sunday, May 22 at 5 pm. For only $10, teens get to watch KING A from a teens-only section of The New Victory Theater and engage in a private, post-show Talk Back with the cast and other theater professionals.
ABOUT NEW YORK'S PREMIER THEATER FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
The New Victory Theater, a New 42nd Street® project, is New York City's premier theater for kids and families. Built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1900 and opened as the Theatre Republic, it established 42nd Street as the heart of New York's theater district. Ninety-five years later, The New Victory was the FIRST historic theater to be renovated on the block, and its opening, on December 11, 1995, sparked the renaissance of 42nd Street. Today it is one of the City's most respected cultural institutions and has "pioneered a new, sophisticated vision of family entertainment" (Time Out New York) with cutting-edge productions like Shockheaded Peter, Grimm Tales and The Junebug Symphony; dynamic dance companies like the Seán Curran Company and Rennie Harris Puremovement; puppetry masterpieces like Kwaidan and Peter and Wendy; new vaudeville/circus spectacles like AntiGravity's Crash Test Dummies and Circus Oz; and Tony-nominated, Broadway-transfers like A Year With Frog and Toad and It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues.
Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street Inc. is an independent, nonprofit organization charged with long-term responsibility for seven historic theaters on 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. In addition to running The New Victory Theater, The New 42nd Street Inc. built and operates the New 42nd Street ® Studios - a ten-story building of rehearsal studios, offices and a 199-seat, workshop/experimental theater named The Duke on 42nd Streetsm - for national and international performing arts companies. With these institutions and the other properties under its guardianship, The New 42nd Street Inc. plays a pivotal role in fostering the continued revival of the Crossroads of the World.
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