Geva’s Festival of New Theatre 2012 Line-Up Announced

Geva Theatre Center unveils its line-up for the Festival of New Theatre 2012 to be held in the Nextstage from October 25 - November 4. FONT2012 is a vibrant and innovative mix of new works by some of the most exciting playwrights from across the country and around the corner.

“We are thrilled with the diversity of plays in this year’s Festival,” said Jenni Werner, Geva’s Literary Director/Resident Dramaturg. “In two short weeks at Geva, we’ll introduce Rochester to four exciting new works for the stage and six short plays by young people. We’ll share with our audiences the process of developing a puppetry adaptation of a Jules Verne classic (on Halloween, no less), as well as more traditional plays about how technology influences our lives and the lengths we’ll go to save what we love.”

The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence

By Madeleine George

Thursday, October 25 @ 7:00p

 

Watson is an Artificial Intelligence computer and Jeopardy champion. He's also an IT technician, Sherlock Holmes' sidekick, and the man who helped Alexander Graham Bell invent the telephone. He and Eliza are in love, but is he "real" or just one of her inventions? In this era-hopping drama, Madeline George explores the intersection of technology and romance and asks what draws people to each other: does love happen naturally, or do we create it?

 

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

By Sean Daniels, Jon Ludwig and Jason Hines

Wednesday, October 31 @ 7:00p

 

Explore the wonders and dangers of the world under the sea in this adaptation of Jules Verne's 1870 science fiction classic. Puppetry, projections and live actors tell the story of the mysterious Captain Nemo as he travels from the Red Sea to the Antarctic in his submarine, the Nautilus. You'll experience the amazing underwater landscape alongside Professor Aronnax and his companions, who are torn between their singular adventures and the desire to escape Nemo's watery prison.

 

Chat

By Tanya Barfield

Friday, November 2 @ 7:00p

Sunday, November 4 @ 7:00p

 

The parents of terminally ill children find support in an online community, but when Andre and Liz move from a message board to private chat, the conversation goes beyond their sick kids. As their talk gets more personal, they find themselves on dangerous ground - will their friendship move in to the real world, and at what cost? This Geva-commissioned drama investigates how the digital age has changed our concept of intimacy.

 

Regional Writer – David Andreatta

Stop the Presses

Saturday, November 3 @ 7:00p

 

Stan, the Editor-in-Chief of the Buffalo Star, is out of ideas to keep his struggling paper in business when a major story breaks in his office – literally.  As national news outlets rush to pick up the story, can the Star stay a step ahead without compromising its journalistic standards?  And can Stan use all the attention to save the paper?

 

Young Writers Showcase

Saturday, October 27 @ 3pm

Sunday, October 28 @ 3pm

 

Brainstorming by Dominic Barbarita

Prevention by Amelia Carter

Heads Up by Marcella DelPlato

To Find Mona by Taina Diaz

The Obstacle by Ethan Keeley

The Leaving by Clara O’Connor

 

The plays will be presented in an informal, script-in-hand performance format and, with the exception of the Young Writer’s Showcase, are followed by a discussion with the playwright.  The Festival of New Theatre 2012is part of Geva Theatre Center’s ongoing commitment to developing and producing new work for the American theatre.

 

Admission to the Festival of New Theatre 2012 readings is free, but reservations are required. Due to the popularity of this event, patrons are limited to two tickets per person. Call the Geva Theatre Center Box Office at 585-232-Geva (4382) or visit www.gevatheatre.org for tickets.  Play readings sell out quickly, but tickets often become available the night of the performance.

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