Photo Flash: First Look at Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
By: BWW News Desk May. 21, 2015
The Archive Residency, a collaboration between New Ohio Theatre and IRT Theater (likeminded neighbors in the historic Archive Building in the West Village), is a unique incubator for the country's most promising emerging independent theater companies. This two year residency offers each company that most elusive and invaluable resource, an artistic home, including space, artistic support, and institutional continuity for the development and presentation of a new work, culminating in an exciting world premiere.
The second company completing their residency is Rady&Bloom Collective Playmaking, presenting the World Premiere of The Upper Room, co-written and co-directed by Jeremy Bloom and Brian Rady, with music composed and performed by Catherine Brookman (Broadway revival of Hair), running May 22 - June 12, 2015. Previews begin May 22 for a May 28 opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
The Upper Room is a new play with original music inspired by the back-to-the-land movement. Set on an island way off the north coast of Maine, the last participants of a once thriving commune meet the sea. Anxious and restless, the quorum gathers around the table in their upper room to confront the rising water and certain members'' curious ailments. A darkly humorous consideration of spirituality and the dangers of our changing environment combines with a live mixed score, antique scuba suits and an overhead projector to create a brand new music theater event.
The cast includes Catherine Brookman (Hair on Broadway, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), Tjasa Ferme, Robert Gadol Lavenstein, Dana Kaplan-Angle, Govind Kumar, Joyce Miller, Stacy Ayn Price, Julia Sirna-Frest (founding member of the Obie Award-winning theater company Half Straddle), Heather Thiry and Joe White.
The creative team includes Catherine Brookman (Original Music), Rady&Bloom (Set & Costume Design) and Jay Ryan (Lighting Design).
Shows take place at New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City. Tickets are $18 and $15 for students and seniors, and can be purchased online at NewOhioTheatre.org or by calling 1-888-596-1027.Photo Credits: Matthew Wells / Rady&Bloom Collective Playmaking
Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
Catherine Brookman and the cast of Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
Rady&Bloom's World Premiere of THE UPPER ROOM
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