Photo Flash: SPF Play Festival Launches Their Fifth Year!

On June 25th, 2008 SPF held its launch party in celebration of its fifth season. This year the Summer Play Festival will be held at The Public Theater on Lafayette Street in New York City. The festival will run from July 1st – July 27th.

The 2008 Festival will feature seven new plays and one new musical, and run from Tuesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 27, 2008. The productions include: 

The Black Suits music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, book by Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock, directed by John Simpkins

Esther Demsack by Billy Finnegan, directed by Stafford Arima

Future Me by Stephen Brown, directed by Joanna Settle

Green Girl by Sarah Hammond, directed by Wendy McClellan

Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley, directed by Kerry Whigham

Tell Out My Soul by Jacquelyn Honess-Martin, directed by Evan Cabnet

The Ones That Flutter by Sylvia Reed, directed by Stephen Brackett

Tio Pepe by Matthew Lopez, directed by Caitlin Moon 

Tickets are available at The Public Theater box office, 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan, on Sunday and Monday from 1PM-6PM and Tuesday through Saturday from 1PM-7:30PM (212-967-7555). Tickets also are available for purchase online at the Summer Play Festival website (www.spfnyc.com).

"This is an extremely exciting year for us, not only because our shows are absolutely amazing, but by partnering with the Public, our writers are getting an even bigger stage to showcase their work," says Arielle Tepper Madover, Summer Play Festival founder and executive producer. "And in a Summer where gas is nearing $5 a gallon, it doesn't get any better than to give New Yorkers the chance to see a show that costs the same as 2 gallons of gas."  
 
Under founder, Arielle Tepper Madover (a producer of such shows as Broadway's Frost Nixon, Monty Python's SPAMALOT, The Pillowman, A Raisin in the Sun, and Freak), the non-profit organization The Living Room for Artists, Inc./Summer Play Festival provides emerging writers, directors, designers and producers an opportunity to work on their material and their craft in a protected environment, guided by established professionals at no cost to them.

"The Summer Play Festival is a perfect extension of what The Public Theater is all about," said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis.  "Together I truly believe that we can change the face of theater in New York, literally – by giving these new and emerging writers a chance to show themselves and their work to New Yorkers." 

The Black Suits music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, book by Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock; With the prospect of a dead-end life looming, this rock musical follows a group of Long Island teens in their struggle to make something of their band and of themselves.  As they perform to escape, the music can't drown out what is imminent, and they face decisions that will shape the rest of their lives. 

Esther Demsack by Billy Finnegan; Esther Demsack finds herself accidentally employed as young Everette Brewster's governess. In this over-the-top comedy Everette tries desperately to turn her into his own Auntie Mame. While moving through their world of showtunes and movie stars, Esther digs deeper to find the dark secret haunting Everette and the entire Brewster family.

Future Me by Stephen Brown; One irreparable mistake propels Peter from successful lawyer to prison inmate as his world gets turned upside down. In this powerful drama, Peter wrestles with his personal desires and societal taboos, as he copes with his choices and tries to re-build relationships.

Green Girl by Sarah Hammond; A magic gift entwines the fates of two sets of sisters living over a hundred years apart. Each girl must endure the trials of growing up, but only one can master the gift inherited from her ancestors.  A provocative, mystical drama where sisterhood is tested and time stands still.  
 
Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley; Welcome to everyday suburbia where teens become completely obsessed with an unusual video game.  As they advance to each new level, the lines between reality and virtual reality blur.  In this sci-fi thriller, only those with a true 'killer' instinct survive.

The Ones That Flutter by Sylvia Reed; Roddy learned early in life that he was capable of completing tasks that others could not.  Now retired, and with the fate of his family's home resting in his hands, this evocative drama follows Roddy as he grapples with the ghosts of his past, and seeks peace in a world where the morality of his job defines him.

Tell Out My Soul by Jacquelyn Honess-Martin; The ultimate test of their relationship transpires when Thomas and his daughter Ruth have a young student with an unusual story enter their lives. Challenged by their own views on religion in a world of suffering, Ruth and her father seek understanding in this timely examination of identity and truth.   
 
Tio Pepe by Matthew Lopez; Dreaming of a life as Broadway gypsies, the Candelarias refuse to vacate their Manhattan apartment scheduled for demolition. Music, dance, and the golden years of the Broadway musical all take center stage in this touching and funny play about the strength of family in the face of impending disaster.

For more information please visit www.spfnyc.com

SPF Founding Executive Producer Arielle Tepper Madover

SPF Actor Jason Williams, Stephanie Kornick and SPF Playwright Joe Iconis

SPF Playwright Matthew Lopez, Sara Gore, SPF Playwright Jacquelyn Honess-Martin and SPF Playwright Billy Finnegan

101 Productions Jeff Wilson, SPF Founding Executive Producer Arielle Tepper Madover, Ian Madover

SPF Alumni Playwright Brooke Berman, guest, SPF Playwright Sarah Hammond

Photos by Julie Cohen