EgoPo Classic Theater Presents the World Premier of HELL, Closes 5/15

EgoPo Classic Theater presents the world premiere of HELL as a centerpiece classic theater production in the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. Directed by Lane Savadove, adapted by Lane Savadove and Ross Beschler, Hell will be staged at The German Society located at 611 Spring Garden St.

Henri Barbusse's novel Hell, written in 1908, shocked the world and changed the face of modern literature. It is considered the most profound, detailed study of solitude ever written and is one of the most read and debated French books of all time. Lane Savadove and Ross Beschler have done a faithful and meticulous adaptation to bring this novel to life for the very first time.

This world premier theatrical adaptation of France's most scandalous novel will be the first exposure to the story for most American audiences. Hell tells the story of a man who uncovers the secrets of life by peering through a mysterious hole in the wall of his boarding house. The story is excruciatingly beautiful, mysterious, sensual, and shockingly graphic. Audiences will never forget the experience of peeping through a hole in the wall and watching the hidden lives of strangers played out in front of them.

Hell transports audiences into the world of a Paris boarding house in the early 1920's, into the very room of the main character. Audience members become the voyeurs themselves, gazing through the hole in the wall to witness the hidden details of life such as love, adultery, birth, and death.
Hell is the world viewed through the male's gaze. It is a study of solitude, loneliness, detachment, and the need to connect to other human beings. Hell demystifies the male gaze by presenting it honestly and shamelessly in order to expose the vulnerability and fear that lies at its core.
The world of Hell is the world experienced through peeping. It is titillating, sexual, and at times, amazing. We all wonder how others lead their lives behind closed doors. Hell fulfills our desires, by allowing us to peer behind the doors and to see everything. In turn, we find out whether or not this indecent intrusion can lead to deeper connection and a better understanding of humanity.

EgoPo has collected powerful, talented cast for Hell, with both familiar and new faces....Ross Beschler (EgoPo's Waiting for Godot and Marat Sade, People's Light, DTC, Exile, Lantern) plays the lead role. A veteran of World War I, who retreats to his room to escape the world, but takes on a new path when he stumbles upon the hole in his wall. Mary Lee Bednarik (Lantern, New Paradise, Exile) and Allan Radway (Lantern, Exile, Artistic Director of Simpatico) play two adulterous lovers who retreat to the room next door and unknowingly allow their private romance to play out in front of the man. Sean Lally (EgoPo's Spring Awakening, Bluebird, Something Cloudy and Arden Theater) and Sarah Howard (Philly Shakes, Exile) play two children discovering their sexuality. Ed Swidey (EgoPo's Endgame and Wilma's Macbeth and Interact's Lidless) plays a dying man who is also searching for meaning, and Cindy Spitko (EgoPo's Marat Sade, and New Paradise, Clark Park) plays his nurse and life-long love who gives him a final gift before his death. Sarah Schol (eight shows with EgoPo) plays the mysterious Maid whose private life becomes exposed to the hidden man next door. Set Design by Tony Hostetter, Light and Original Score by Matt Sharp, Video by Ren Manley, and Costumes by Janus Stefanowicz.

Hell is directed by EgoPo's Artistic Director, Lane Savadove. He has a long history of directing and adapting classic French theater for the stage. His version of Jean Genet's French classic, The Maids, was created and performed in New Orleans at The Jewel Theater and later went on to be performed at The Philly Fringe and Off-Broadway at the Jean Cocteau Repertory. He has adapted and directed the works of Maurice Maeterlinck, including his version of Pelleas and Melisande at The Miller Theater in New York, and Bluebird at the Mandell Theater in Philadelphia with a cast of 27 and a new score performed by a live Orchestra in 2001.

Henri Barbusse, the writer of Hell was born in Asnières-sur-Seine, France in 1873. He enlisted in the French army and fought in World War I where he was injured three times fighting for his country. In 1916 he published his first novel, Le Feu (Under Fire), which won the Prix Goncourt, France's highest literary honor. This book was considered the definitive account of the French experience of the Great War. Many consider him to be the greatest 20th century French writer and he is no doubt responsible for launching the great period of French naturalism. His novel, Hell, is the pinnacle of his esteemed career.

Hell is the finale to EgoPo's season devoted to French Avant Garde and Theater of Cruelty, and is also being performed in conjunction with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). For tickets go to www.egopo.org or call 1-800-595-4TIX.

Press Opening: April 27th at 8:00pm
Runs: April 27th-May 15th, Wed-Sat at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm
Performance at The German Society, 611 Spring Garden St.

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