Big Brother Heads to New York in MidCity Productions' 1984 Tonight

MidCity Productions returns to the stage after a one-year hiatus with the New York debut of George Orwell's internationally renowned tale of one man's struggle with freedom in a dystopian society.

Adapted for the stage by Michael Gene Sullivan, this critically acclaimed script got its world premiere in 2006 at the Actor's Gang and was directed by Academy Award winner, Tim Robbins.

Sullivan takes the world that Orwell created nearly seventy years ago, tweaks it here and there, and delivers a gripping and immersive retelling of Winston Smith and his trial for Thoughtcrime against Big Brother in the state of Oceania. And the fact that this production coincides with the upcoming presidential election is "100 percent intentional," claims director Dave Stishan.

MidCity founder and Artistic Director, Dave Stishan, will be at the helm of this timely tale of isolation and conformity. His directing credits include Steel Magnolias, The Crucible, Barefoot in the Park, and the world premiere of his own work September 11th Was a Tuesday. This production is slated to have a one-night preview on Wednesday, Nov. 2nd and open on the 3rd, just five days before the much anticipated, much dreaded US Presidential Election. Writers like "Orwell, Bradbury, Vonnegut, and even Rod Serling with The Twilight Zone wrote stories warning us of the evils of conformity but people saw them as what they were, stories. Fast forward to now and they are all non-fiction," continues Stishan.

This production has found a home in Long Island City just off 39th Avenue at The Flux Factory, an industrial art gallery whose mission is to support and promote emerging artists residencies, build sustainable artist networks, and help retain creative forces in New York City. It is within the stark, white walls and exposed ceiling of The Flux Factory that audiences will be transported to the basement of the Ministry of Love, to Room 101, and will witness firsthand the interrogation of Winston at the hands of the Thought Police as they try to coerce a confession of love, freedom, and betrayal out of him. At the play's heart racing, anxious conclusion it is the audience that will be left with the question "In the eyes of an almighty, do you use the knowledge acquired to become free, or do you remain ignorant and obident?"

Orwell's 1984 by Michael Gene Sullivan will be presented at The Flux Factory starting Nov. 2nd and runs through the 13th with shows only Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are $18 dollars and are available through the company's website.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (Copyright, 1949) is being produced by permission of Bill Hamilton as the Literary Executor of the Estate of the Late Sonia Brownell Orwell, adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan. Cast features B.K. Dawson, Jerry Brown, Jr., Ed Brown, Atalanta Siegel, Rob Mobley, and Ben Adducchio. Directed by Dave Stishan.

IF YOU GO:

MIDCITY PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
George Orwell's 1984
Adapted for the stage by Michael Gene Sullivan

Dates:
November 2nd - 13th
Wednesdays through Fridays, November 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 7:30pm
Saturrdays November 5, 12 at 8pm
Sundays, November 6, 13 at 7pm
Preview: November 2nd
Opening Night: November 3rd

Location:
The Flux Factory, 39-31 29th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101

Tickets:
Wednesday, Nov. 2nd: Pay-What-You-Can Preview
All other shows: $18 through www.midcityproductions.org or at the door
Runtime: 120 minutes, 1 intermission

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