Vital Signs Festival Extended for 2 Weeks with 6 More Plays

Due to the overwhelming response of new plays submitted for its 9th installment, VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is delighted to continue "VITAL SIGNS" in 2005 with six new plays. The two week festival will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 PM, January 27th through February 5th. All tickets are $15.00. $10.00 for students. TDF Accepted. For reservations, please log onto www.theatermania.com or call (212) 352-3101. For more information visit www.vitaltheatre.org. Vital Theatre Company is located at the McGinn Cazale Theatre above the Promenade, 2162 Broadway, 4th Floor at 76th Street.

Bend over, baby, but not too far! The two weeks of new plays includes "SPANKY," written by Mark Loewenstern and directed by Karen Sommers which examines gender roles, identity and yes, spanking. In "THE MECHANICALS," written by Ross Maxwell and directed by Frank Pisco, a smug playwright makes a Faustian deal with the Devil for success, only to have it backfire when actors reap their revenge. In "AL AND AUDREY," written by Norman Kline and directed by David Hilder, two young office workers on a smoke break make a discovery that will change their lives. Going on vacation is a treat in "MIAMI CONNECTION," written by Stephen Bittrich and directed by Greg Thorson, but on the plane there, you never know who might be sitting next to you…and how many personalities he might have. "THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE," written by Stephen Bittrich and directed by Hamilton Clancy takes an insider's look at the class of Gill Barry, the Big Apple's hottest acting teacher. You shall not act, but through Gil. In "ANGELS AND TRAUMA," written by Kara Hartig and directed by Mary Kate Burke, a husband and wife attempt to find their way back to one other, despite seemingly insurmountable odds. To date, 14 plays presented as part of the "VITAL SIGNS" New Works Festival been published by SAMUEL FRENCH, RANDOM HOUSE, PLAYSCRIPTS and THE NEW YORK THEATRE EXPERIENCE.

Coming up in February, in celebration of Black History Month, VITAL THEATRE COMPANY will be remounting its OOBR-AWARD-WINNING production of SHAKIN' THE MESS OUTTA MISERY by SHAY YOUNGBLOOD which critics called a "stunning play...offering a completely engaging, satisfying, and tremendously moving evening of theatre. (Off Off Broadway Review). Performances run Thursdays through Sundays at 8:00 p.m. February 10th through March 6th.

In addition to VITAL SIGNS, VITAL THEATRE COMPANY presents both original and existing plays unproduced in New York City as part of it MAIN STAGE season, a five show CHILDREN'S THEATRE season in which musicals for young audiences, performed by adults are commissioned and presented. Vital Theatre Company is a six-time winner of the Off-Off Broadway Review's Award for Excellence and was also named 2002 AND 2004 Theatre Company of the Year by The New York Theatre Experience. For more information, please visit www.vitaltheatre.org.