August 1, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tony Devaney Morinelli: whenlilacslast@yahoo.com 610 348 4669
Website and ticket information : www.whenlilacslast.com
UNIQUE, ACTOR-DEVELOPED PHILDELPHIA DRAMA PREMIERES IN NY FRINGE FEST
New Yorkers will have a unique opportunity this August, when the NY International Fringe Festival brings a compelling and thought-provoking new play, developed and set in Philadelphia, to the Connelly Theatre, 220 East 4th Street, in Manhattan. The New York opening night for When Lilacs Last by Tony Devaney Morinelli, is set for Sunday, August 22 at 8:30 pm , and will run for several performances, including one on Aug 26th specifically geared for high school students.
When Lilacs Last is a hard-hitting confrontation: two promising young men struggle with abusive fathers, sexual orientation, and bigotry while coming of age. It is Philadelphia, 1955. There is a new bridge to be named “The Walt Whitman,“ much to the outrage of the citizenry--theatrically come to life as a Greek Chorus-- who object to the homo-erotic works of the poet. Brendan and Jackie, two young men from the Philadelphia waterfront neighborhood of dock and bridge workers, forge a friendship via the exact same poet in question, a friendship that gives both of them hope in a bleak and lonely time in their lives, until their homophobic fathers come to a breaking point, venting their own frustrations on their vulnerable sons. The violent and tragic second act, underscored by the echoing lines of Whitman’s most self-aware and political work “Leaves of Grass”, creates an atmosphere of growing tension in both households, and builds to a frightening but inevitable climax. This vibrant new play, set against the brilliant poetry of Walt Whitman, is a searing experience of devastation--innocence and desire overwhelmed by ignorance and brutality.
The work is the melding of an original script by Tony Devaney Morinelli, an accomplished and internationally-produced playwright, and the improvisational work of students at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA. Starting with a skeletal script, the actors developed their characters during rehearsals, and multiple drafts emerged. In each subsequent workshop production, the intense hatred of the fathers against a society they feel has abandoned them, and the spiritual and intellectual connection forged by the two sons, all deepened in complexity, and the stories of the two families converged. Monologues, direct address to the audience, and the use of the frustrated and often angry Citizen-Chorus, round out the ultimate version.
Students involved in the production and dramaturgy of the play were changed through their active participation, their involvement as students aware of extreme and painful prejudice on a daily basis, and the fluctuating nature of the subject matter. Hatred in 1955 is not so very different from hatred in 2010.
The Shipley School is immensely proud of their efforts, sanctioned at every step by Headmaster Steven Piltch, who has from day one been supportive of the important message of tolerance and the unspoken need for conflict resolution that goes way beyond the dramatic story of these two families. The play has been expanded to full length, based in part on the original cast’s ongoing work on the play they have become so invested in. Actor Jake Deitrich reflects on how he has been changed through his involvement: “The play puts you in a state of mind where you begin to wonder about these messages and meanings, and the connection they have with the real world. Yes, the play is set in 1955, but the problems and situations portrayed are in no way gone from today's society. When Lilacs Last brings about realizations that may be hard to face, but are necessary and important. I am a better, deeper, and more knowledgeable person for having been a part of this production.”
The NY Fringe production will feature professional actors Steve Snyder and Benjamin Kanes in the roles of the intensely troubled and homophobic fathers, and Jake Deitrich and Christian Santilli recreating their already much-acclaimed performances as the two sons, Jackie and Brendan.
When Lilacs Last at the NY Fringe is a participant in the Fringe High program, an exciting educational component to the project, that enables young audiences to participate fully in theatre, sometimes for the first time; to become engaged in the play on many levels, and will include a talk-back discussion with the creators and actors. The production will be of significant interest not only to the gay, lesbian and trans-gender community, but also to all those interested in the safe environment of young people who face verbal and physical violence because of their sexual orientation.
WHEN LILACS LAST New York International Fringe Festival location and dates are:
Connelly Theatre, 220 East 4th Street
New York, NY 10009
Sunday August 22 8:30pm (Opening Night, Press welcome)
Wednesday August 25 6:45pm
Thursday August 26 4:45pm ( Fringe High with talk-back) Friday August 27 9:30pm
Sunday August 29 3:45pm
For on-line ticketing information and purchases: : www.whenlilacslast.com
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