APAC Sets Midwinter Readings, Beginning 2/13

The award-winning Astoria Performing Arts Center has announced their Midwinter Reading Series, consisting of a play and a musical, that will be presented at the Queens Council on the Arts, supported by grants from the Dramatist Guild Fund and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

"APAC is thrilled to be giving Cheryl L. Davis, Bill Connington, and Michael Cooper, time and space to work on their new pieces which concern the themes of race, perception, love, and rituals. The opportunity to partner with the QCA is an added bonus. Bringing APAC's work in new play development to the Kaufman Arts District for the first time is exciting." Artistic Director Dev Bondarin said of the readings.

Carefully Taught, by Cheryl L. Davis, will be presented on Friday February 13th at 7pm. The reading is directed by Mary Hodges and features Jamie Askew, Judy Chen, Hodges, Sheila Joon, and Andrew Spieker.

The story of an African American and a white school teacher whose friendship and lives are affected when a racial issue arises at their school. What happens when race is something you "just don't talk about"?

Love, Always, book by Bill Connington and music and lyrics by Michael Cooper, will be presented on Wednesday February 18th at 7pm. The reading is directed by Connington with musical direction by Danny Bernstein and features Brian Detlefs and Sarah Rolleston.

One Man, one woman--love follows. Love, Always, is a new musical that charts the course of love over 100 years. Starting in the current day, each scene moves back ten years in time, the actors playing several parts. How men and women interact has changed, but the need for love is everlasting.

The readings are free and open to the public and will take place at the Queens Council on the Arts located at 37-11 35th Avenue (entrance on 37th Street). Take the M/R to Steinway Street or the Q/N to 36th Avenue.

Reservations can be made at www.queenscouncilarts.org.