Magis Theatre Co Presents First NY Production of Witlings

Written nearly 230 years ago, but never performed in New York City, THE WITLINGS, Frances Burney's scathingly funny satire of the foibles of "The Enlightened," will finally have its long overdue New York Premiere when Magis Theatre Company presents its production of THE WITLINGS at the West End Theatre (263 West End Avenue at 86th Street in Manhattan) for a limited engagement run from May 16 through June 1, 2008.  $18 general admission tickets can be purchased through www.theatermania.com.

THE WITLINGS comes to us as a surprising time capsule: a treasure belonging to a bygone era yet destined for life in ours.  First penned in 1779, it met with opposition from the status-quo – including the author's own father!  Despite pleas from the artistic community, Frances' play was just too controversial to be produced.  Never performed or published in her lifetime, THE WITLINGS was put away and unseen by the public until a volume featuring the work of early women writers was printed in 1995.  Now, at long last, Frances Burney's witty and salient words will come to life on the New York stage in a vibrant production that matches her 18th Century wit with dynamic portrayals of familiar fashionistas and hipsters in farcical physical comedy.

Directed by Deborah Philips, the creative team includes Gian Marco Lo Forte, Scenic Design; Deb O, Costume Design; Jeffrey Salzberg, Lighting Design; Martha Goode, Sound Design; and Robert Carreon, Production Advisor.

The cast of the Magis Theatre Company production of THE WITLINGS includes (in alphabetical order): George Drance, Casey Groves, Erika Iverson, Wendy Mapes, Frank Mihelich, Rachel Benbow Murdy, Elizabeth Mutton, Gabriel Portuondo, Margi Sharp and Graham Skipper.

THE WITLINGS will be Magis Theatre Company's third New York production since its formation in 2005.  It will provide New York audiences with the first opportunity ever to see this forgotten satirical gem written in 1779 by the influential author Frances Burney, whose works inspired classics such as Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and William Makepeace Thackeray's VANITY FAIR. All but forgotten, her unpublished plays came to light in 1945 when her papers were acquired by the New York Public Library's Berg Collection.     

  The Magis Theatre Company's acclaimed 2007 adaptation of C.S. Lewis' fantastical spiritual tale THE GREAT DIVORCE at Theatre 315 was praised by The New York Times for its theatrical skill and daring. Created by an award-winning team that included composer Elizabeth Swados and puppet master Ralph Lee, THE GREAT DIVORCE received accolades from audiences of all ages.  In 2005, The Magis Theatre Company was part of the "Play Outside Festival" sponsored by the Shakespeare Project, bringing free theatre to hundreds of people in public parks throughout New York City's five boroughs. Its production of Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE introduced the city to the world of Magis and brought the public to its training space to see the play indoors. The Magis Theatre Company regards this year's production of THE WITLINGS as an opportunity to not only acquaint their audience with the work of Frances Burney, but to explore new territories for their own work.

After working with The Magis Theatre Company on THE GREAT DIVORCE and THE WINTER'S TALE, Deborah Philips will take the helm as Director of THE WITLINGS.  With the Gensius Theatre Group, she directed part of Suzan-Lori Parks' year-long 365 Days/365 Plays in the Lincoln Center Theatre Lobby and The Public Theatre. She is a founding creative member of Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant, an evolving salon-inspired event of performance and food, and the co-director of THE MILLAY SISTERS: A CABARET, which will be performed this summer at the Ancram Opera House.

George Drance, Artist-in-residence at Fordham University and Artistic Director for The Magis Theatre Company, has performed and directed in over 20 countries on five continents, working with such stage companies as Teatro la Fragua in Honduras, and Theatre YETU in Kenya. He has acted with The Metropolitan Opera, The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Project, The Mettawee River Company and La MaMa E.T.C.  His film credits include the award-winning short THE LIGHT OF EONS and SOLIDARITY.

The Magis Theatre Company is committed to presenting extra-ordinary material that creates a truly unique theatre experience for its audiences. Artistic Director: George Drance, Producing Director: Margi Sharp Douglas, Development Director: Erika Iverson, Audience Development: Elizabeth Mutton.  www.magistheatre.org

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