'Elizabeth Rex' Begins August 13th

NICU'S SPOON is pleased to announce the production of ELIZABETH REX, directed by Joanne Zipay. ELIZABETH REX will play its Off-Broadway Premiere in a four-week limited engagement at the Center Stage Theater (48 West 21st Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues.) Performances begin Wednesday, August 13th and continue through Saturday, September 6th. Opening Night is Saturday, August 16th (8 p.m.).

Elizabeth Rex is Nicu's Spoon first foray into Off-Broadway. Stephanie Barton-Farcas, Artistic Director of Nicu's Spoon is proud of their accomplishments and remarks, "After eight seasons you find the 'magic' play, the 'magic' cast where it all falls into place and everyone, including the audience simply knows this is the one to go to Off-Broadway and perhaps beyond. A dream cast, a superb text and a situation ripe for conflict, battle and titillation in a gender power struggle. From our third show we were sold out and I have never heard audiences scream 'Bravo, Bravissimo!' except at the opera before - this is NOT to be missed."

Elizabeth Rex self-consciously explores themes of power, gender, identity, and the inevitability of loss. At its heart is the struggle of two misunderstood characters who seek to understand one another: Ned Lowenscroft, the flamboyant actor who has based his theatrical career on the portrayal of Shakespeare's great female leads, and the domineering Queen Elizabeth, the monarch who has sacrificed her traditional place in society as a wife and mother in order to retain control of the throne. -- Claire Epstein, New Theater Corp

On the eve prior to the dawn execution of Robert, Earl of Essex, for treason, Shakespeare and his company of actors are at court. Under curfew in a barn, with the Queen, through her restless night as she struggles with the decision she has made to behead her beloved "Robin".

On the sixteenth century stage the women roles were played by men; the only woman in the company is the seamstress who makes and repairs the costumes. The Queen is intrigued by the nature of the men that play these roles, and whether their 'essence' is truly that of a man, or of a woman. In part to entertain and divert the Queen who is tormented by her decision to execute Essex, and in part to illuminate the question that so intrigues her, members of the company recite and play short vignettes from various of Shakespeare's plays. In this vein they challenge the Queen with provocative questions that would be inadmissible at any other time or place, and reveal their sympathy for Essex. At times the Queen commands and threatens regally, at times she drops her guard and confesses her womanly feelings.

There is a powerful counterpoint for the Queen, who feels the sexual passion of a woman, but must put that aside to act in the interest of the State - or, as she said to the army at Tilbury: "I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a King". Here, poignantly, she says to the male actor: "If you will teach me how to be a woman . . . I will teach you how to be a man."

Meanwhile, Shakespeare is taking notes, perhaps for some future play...but it will not be performed in his lifetime, nor the Queen's.

The production features scenic design by John Trevellini & Gabrielle Montgomery, costume design by Rien Schlecht, and lighting design by Steven Wolf. Damon Law provides original music and sound design.

The production stars Merle Louis (Drama Desk Award Recipient), Bill Galarno (The Godfather) and Oliver Conant (Summer of '42).

Elizabeth Rex plays the following regular schedule through Saturday, September 6th:

Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $50 and are now available online at www.theatermania.com or by calling 866-811-4111. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Center Stage Box Office, 1 hour prior to showtime.

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