About This Show
Naked Angels, in collaboration with The Culture Project, presents The Democracy Project, a collage of short plays, music and theatrical presentations written and performed by some of the country’s leading playwrights and artists. This unique and timely event takes place in between the National Conventions and the National Elections.
The Democracy Project is the latest in the Naked Angles’ long-running series which focus on contemporary social issues. These evenings feature new pieces by some of the most dynamic writers working in the theater, including Kenneth Lonergan, Patrick Breen, Theresa Rebeck, Jon Robin Baitz, Lynn Nottage, Ned Eisenberg, Warren Leight, Pippin Parker, Stephen Belber, Nicole Burdette, Frank Pugliese, John Bellouso, Lee Blessing, Nilo Cruz, Tom Fontana, Eduardo Machado, Chris Shinn, Josh Ben Friedman, Jessica Goldberg, Graham Gordy, Jerome Hairston, and Louise Rozett.
Naked Angels asked participating artists to address the theme of Democracy in any manner they found personal, relevant or intriguing. The result is a stimulating, multi-dimensional arrangement of their responses, interlaced with live music and video. These short pieces are rehearsed and presented with a cast of special guests over the two week period. Each evening is hosted by a noted figure from the world of the Arts, Politics or Academia, who then participates in a Q&A about the ideas that have been presented.
Evening 1 (September 14 – 17)
How We Get To Where We’re Going, written By Theresa Rebeck, directed by Sheryl Kaller
An American Dream, written By Nicole Burdette, directed by Pippin Parker
The American Past Time (or Team Sports), written By Josh Ben Friedman, directed by Jeffery Glickman
A Musical Interlude
Lip Service, written by Jerome Hairston, directed by Karen Kohlhaas
The Dying City, written by Chris Shinn, directed by Will Frears
Guest Speakers:
Wednesday , September 15th………Kurt Vonnegut
Thursday, September 16……Lewis Lapham, Harpers Magazine
Friday, September 17th……..Alan Brinkley, Provost, Columbia University
Evening 2 (September 20 – 22)
Nosotros, written by Hugh Murtagh, directed by Daniel Goldstein
Patriot Schmatriot, written by Louise Rozett, directed by Geoffrey Nauffts
To Be Human, written by Stephen Belber, directed by Lucie Tiberghien
Coopman & Dink, written by Graham Gordy, directed by Frank Pugliese
The Art Of The Practical, written by Doug Cordell, directed by Jonathan Bernstein
Lip Service, written by Jerome Hairston, directed by Karen Kohlhaas
Guest Speakers:
Monday, September 20th………David S. Bennahum – Media Matters for America
Wednesday, September 22……Reno, entertainer
Musical Guests:
Monday, September 20th………Metropolitan Klezmer & Isle Of Klezbos
Evening 3 (September 23 – 27)
Reagan In Hell, written by Lee Blessing, directed by Daniel Goldstein
The Fitting (a reading), written by Frank Pugliese, directed by Sheryl Kaller
The Least We Can Do, written by Andrew Yerkes, directed by Tamlyn Freund
Medieval Scene, written & directed by Kenneth Lonnergan
Samsara, written by Juana Kennedy, directed by Seret Scott
The Arizona Rule, written by Pippin Parker, directed by Jonathan Bernstein
Guest Speakers:
Thursday, September 23rd………Evangeline Morphos, The New School
Saturday, September 25th………………Kathleen Chalfant
Tuesday, September 28th………………David S. Bennahum, Media Matters for America
Musical Guests:
Thursday, September 23rd………Phillip Johnston
Friday, September 24th………………The Hazzards
Saturday, September 25th………………Gary Lucas
Monday, September 27th………………Mike Doughty
Evening 4 (September 28 – October 2)
Kandor, written by Tom Fontana
Fear Network News, written by Warren Leight, directed by Neil Freeman
*Instant Girl* 9/28, 9/29 & 10/1, 10/2
The Conductor, written by Eduardo Machado
White Jesus, written by Deidre O’Connor, directed by Annie Dorsen
PS I’m Glad You Sent Your Hair, written by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld & Kerri-Ann McCalla, directed by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
Guest Speakers:
Wednesday, September 29th………Eric Bogosian
Friday, October 1……..Arthur Schlessinger, Jr., Author
Saturday, October 2nd…………..John Podesta, Chief-Of-Staff under
President Clinton, founder of The Center for Amerian Progress
The casts will include: Jessica Arinella, David Eigenberg, Nathan Dean Mark Margolis, Chris Messina, Tim Ransom, Ray Anthony Thomas, Toby Parker, Victor Rasuk, Kerry Washington, Dean Winters, and more. For up to date casting information, please click here to visit the Naked Angels website.
