A Noble Failure to Close at CoHo, 1/29

A NOBLE FAILURE, winner of NEWXNW Play Competition, featuring Bruce Burkhartsmeier, Jacklyn Maddux, Duffy Epstein, Eleanor O'Brien, Dennis Kelly and Kenneth Sergienko will close this weekend with a performance on January 29th.

This staged reading of CoHo's 2011 NEWXNW Play Competition shines a light on the alarming direction the public school system is heading. Lifelong English teacher Rosalyn is trying to keep Ivan, a young Russian immigrant, in school after he gets into trouble for damaging school property. Principal Truman Spencer is at the end of his rope because his school's low test scores have failed to meet the provisions of "No Child Left Behind." In danger of being closed, the school hires a testing coach from a standardized testing company to work with teachers Rosalyn and Teach for America recruit Darren. When the students' scores rise dramatically, controversy arises over whether the test coaching was successful, or the high scores were achieved in a less honest fashion. A Noble Failure is a fascinating look at the high stakes environment today's teachers face as public education revolves around standardized testing.

For tickets, click here.