Nick Francone News

For the past few weeks I've been enjoying Gotham's slight theatrical lull that began just before Christmas and seems to have ended with the inauguration. Oh, it's not that nothing has been opening, but the relative scarcity of new Broadway shows and high-profile Off-Broadway productions has given me more time than usual to check out the goings-on Off-Off Broadway. While figuring out what could fit into my schedule, a recent column by my friend and esteemed colleague Peter Filichia, singing enthusiastic praise for The Roundtable Ensemble's Equity showcase of Linda Escalera Baggs' tense and heart-ripping drama, Silent Heroes, sent me scrambling through old emails to see who to contact for press tickets. Alas, as I'm writing these words there are only three performances remaining for this excellent production (Friday at 8, Saturday at 3 and 8), but at the recession-friendly price of only $18, this very well acted and conversation-stimulating 90 minutes is well worth squeezing into your weekend.

As I write these words the opening night party of Roundabout's revival of Sunday in the Park With George, which I'll be seeing on Saturday, is no doubt in full swing, but despite the sublime glories of that Steven Sondheim/James Lapine creation, there's another musical in town about radical artists that deserves just as much attention from anyone interested in the euphoric excitement felt when watching a unique, intelligent and wondrously creative evening of musical theatre.

Ma-Yi Theater Company in association with Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, will present the world premiere production of 'SOUL SAMURAI,' written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Robert Ross Parker, with fight choreography by Mr. Nguyen, when it begins performances on February 14 at HERE Arts Center(www.here.org), 145 Sixth Avenue (between Spring and Broome Streets, enter on Dominick Street). 'SOUL SAMURAI' will officially open on Thursday, February 19 at 8:30 p.m. This Off Broadway limited engagement will run through Sunday, March 15.

The Roundtable Ensemble (Kelly Ann Moore, Artistic Director and Joshua P. Weiss, Managing Director), now in its 10th season, will present the New York premiere of Linda Escalera Baggs' award-winning play 'SILENT HEROES,' inspired by a true story, and directed by Rosemary Andress. 'SILENT HEROES' will be presented at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th floor (bet. 8th and 9th Aves). Performances will begin on January 8, and the official opening performance will be Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. Performances will run through Saturday, January 24.

The Roundtable Ensemble (Kelly Ann Moore, Artistic Director and Joshua P. Weiss, Managing Director), now in its 10th season, will present the New York premiere of Linda Escalera Baggs' award-winning play 'SILENT HEROES,' inspired by a true story, and directed by Rosemary Andress. 'SILENT HEROES' will be presented at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th floor (bet. 8th and 9th Aves). Performances will begin on January 8, and the official opening performance will be Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. Performances will run through Saturday, January 24.

?Perdita? by Pierre-Marc Diennet, premieres Off Broadway at The Lion Theatre (Theatre Row), 410 West 42nd Street, NYC. Now in previews, the opening is Tuesday, November 18th. The director is Linsay Firman; with set design by Nick Francone, costume design by Blythe Quinlan, lighting design by Les Dickert and the sound designer is Shane Rettig. The new play is produced by Matthew Putman and Marine Putman. (2 hours with one 15 minute intermission) www.perditaoffbroadway.com

NOW IN PREVIEWS PERDITA by Pierre-Marc Diennet PREMIERES Off Broadway at The Lion Theatre (Theatre Row) Opening Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What is it like to be the son of a feminist hero? What is it like to be his mother? 'Perdita' is the compelling story of two generations, two genders, two experiences of the same pioneering life.

'Perdita' by Pierre-Marc Diennet, premieres Off Broadway at The Lion Theatre (Theatre Row), 410 West 42nd Street, NYC with previews beginning November 13th.

Second Generation, the nation's preeminent Asian American theater company devoted to developing the next generation of APA theater artists, presents SIX, a series of world premiere one-act plays by Asian American playwrights.

Vampire Cowboys' hilariously loopy new play 'Fight Girl Battle World' is a loving homage to anime and space opera.

Second Generation, the nation's preeminent Asian American theater company devoted to developing the next generation of APA theater artists, presents the world premiere of TBA by Carla Ching, directed by Denyse Owens. The production will open at The Milagro Theater at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center (107 Suffolk Street) on March 13 at 7PM

Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, now in its 6th season, will present the world premiere production of its sci-fi adventure Fight Girl Battle World, created by co-artistic directors Qui Nguyen and Robert Ross Parker, written by Nguyen, directed by Parker, with fight choreography by Nguyen. Performances begin March 6 at Center Stage, NY (48 West 21st Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues). Fight Girl Battle World will officially open on Sunday, March 9 at 8PM with performances through March 30.

The Roundtable Ensemble will present the world premiere of Chris Kipiniak's Save the World, a superhero-adventure play at the American Theatre of Actors. Performances will begin on Thursday, January 17, and the official opening night will be Saturday, January 19 at 8PM. Performances will run for four weeks through February 9.

Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company is presenting the return of its five-time 2006 New York Innovative Theatre Award-nominated production, Living Dead in Denmark, at the first National Asian American Theater Festival (NAATF) running from June 11-24.

Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, now in its 5th season, will present the world premiere production of 'MEN OF STEEL'

The Roundtable Ensemble will present in rotating repertory Moira Buffini's award-winning play Silence, directed by Suzanne Agins, and a ninety-minute version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Andrew Grosso, as well as Michelle Matlock's The Mammy Project

Because there just aren't enough retro-pastiche Cold War musical comedies out there.

Chekhov's tragic comedy of art and unrequited love returns to New York.