undergroundzero: a festival of theater artists

Details

Parent Category: Other Festivals

Category: Theater

Published on Friday, 23 July 2010 20:27

Written by Bree Rubin

Now in its fourth year, undergroundzero: festival of theater artists, is a three-week event running from July 6th to 25th, 2010, that showcases innovative talent in experimental theater. Presented by East River Commedia at PS122 (150 1st Avenue at 9th Steet), the artists invited to be in the festival are asked to present a piece of their own choosing, creating a unique experience "where risk-taking is encouraged and expected."

The festival was created to weave a "flying repertory" of highly creative and fearless theatrical experimentation. Artists both local and international are given free-reign to shape each affair to the limits of their inspiration.

This year's artists include several of the festival's past favorites, as well as many new faces. Doris Mirescu's trilogy ode to German director, Rainer Werner Fassbinder --From Dawn til Night (The Earth is Uninhabitable like the Moon) -- is the multimedia final chapter. The second part won the 2009 undergroundzero Best Production Award.Local director Anna Brenner -- winner of the 2009 festival's Audience Choice Award -- presents Are We Here Yet?, which establishes five characters struggling to make connections with people and with their own distinct Americanness.

There is a wealth of talent coming from abroad to the festival, as well. The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer is a musical, one-man micro-epic puppet show about love and a pending apocalypse performed by its Australian creator Tim Watts. Actor John Wesley Zielmann channels quintessential pop artist Andy Warhol in the German piece Forever Art, directed by Johanna Zielinski.

In addition to many full productions, the festival invites spectators to participate in in-progress works and discussions with artists as well as conversational mixers with all involved. Each Tuesday brings a "meta-theatrical talk show" called commonground, and every Friday heralds a late-night dance party hosted at the P.S.122 venue.

Tickets ($20) can be purchased by visiting PS122.org or by calling (212) 352-3101. The special "PS122 Passport" allows purchasers to see five shows for $55, and holders enjoy various discounts and benefits at East Village area community partners and businesses.

for festival performance schedules and more information go to: www.ps122.org/performances/undergroundzero_2010.html 

undergroundzero:a festival of theater artists
July 6-25, 2010
PS122 - 150 1st Avenue at 9th

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