'Fair and Decent' Premiere Opens Luna Stage's New Season

Luna Stage begins its 16th theatrical season with the World Premiere of Fair and Decent by Thomas H. Diggs, to be directed by Luna Stage Artistic Director, Jane Mandel.   Fair and Decent, a political comedy/drama, is set in 1980 at the dawn of the Reagan presidency.  It begins in a Washington think tank as the insiders there excitedly prepare to influence the new administration. The play's historical context revolves around the effort to do away with the Fairness Doctrine, an FCC policy requiring holders of broadcast licenses to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance.
 
"The play's five characters should be strong allies in their cause, but their political aspirations are overshadowed by personal objectives and sensitivities," said Mr. Diggs.  "Partisan politics is the backdrop for an examination of the lies people tell themselves to survive. These are uber-clever political operatives who often battle over who is the smartest guy in the room. At the same time, they care about their personal and family legacies, and their loyalty to their country and faith."    
 
Performances of Fair and Decent begin October 2 and continue through November 2, 2008, at Luna Stage in Montclair NJ.
 
"We wanted to open our season with this provocative new play which is set at an election-time in the past as we face an enormously important election-time today, said Ms. Mandel.  "But Fair and Decent is not a play solely about politics; it is a story about people.  It sheds light on both the winner-take-all mindset of political campaigning and the consequences of seeking control - whether the desired end is power, revenge, intimacy, or even reconciliation."
 
The cast of Fair and Decent includes veteran actor Richard Bowden and actor/theatre critic Thom Molyneaux, as well as actors Jennifer Dean, Michael Ellison and Alan Pagano.  Ms. Mandel has brought together a group of accomplished designers for her creative team, including Set Designer, Jian Jung and Costumer, Deborah J. Caney, both of whom were part of the design team for last season's Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue.  Lighting Designer, Jill Nagle, who has worked on a number of Luna productions including last season's The Man in Room 306, joins Ms. Mandel for another collaboration.  Mike Magnifico, who designs sound for many regional theatres throughout New Jersey, is the Sound Designer.
   
Mr. Diggs' works have been seen at major regional theatres, including East/West Players (L.A.), Moving Arts (L.A.), and The Empty Space (Seattle).   He was named a Dramatist Guild Fellow for 2007-2008.  Fair and Decent was commissioned by The Kennedy Center and The National New Play Network, and its world premiere is at Luna Stage.
 
"Our entire 16th season affirms Luna Stage's commitment to producing provocative theatre in Montclair - as we stage three world premieres in 2008-2009.  We are thrilled to develop and nurture challenging new works in a community that welcomes such creativity," said Mandel.
 
The next production will be a co-production with What Exit? Theatre of David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries that will run from December 4 - December 20, 2008.  The 2008-2009 continues with two more world premieres - After Adam by Christina Ham which will run from January 29 - March 1, 2009, and Not God by Marc J. Straus which will run from April 16 - May 17, 2009.   
 
Luna Stage is located at 695 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair NJ.  Performances run Thursday (7:30 pm), Friday and Saturday (8:00 pm), and Sunday (2:00 matinee).  Preview tickets for Fair and Decent on October 2-5 and October 9 are all $20.  Opening night is October 10, with performances through November 2, 2008 at $20-$30.  Student and senior rates are available, as are group discounts. Call 973-744-3309 or visit www.lunastage.org for further information and reservations or to purchase tickets.  Luna Stage is wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices are available without prior notice.  Pre-show tours for persons with sight impairment can also be arranged; please call for information.