| In
1995, 95 Johnson Park was a boarded-up, former soup kitchen with a vaudeville
past. But, like the mythological bird, it has risen from the ashes. Within
minutes of asking for the doors to be pried open to the sunlight, Rick resolved
to sell his Allentown home to purchase the building. Ever since, in our unique,
historic home (and on land deeded by Ebenezer Johnson, Buffalo's first mayor),
we've been offering Buffalo's only consistent blend of inter-disciplinary, alternative
theatre, ranging from free programs in Johnson Park to the best from off-Broadway
or the London fringe to original work developed by Buffalo's emerging artists.
At
the heart of our mission is collaboration: it begins in the chemistry between
actors and other artists, and it continues in the collaborative spirit of audience-and-performance.
We're therefore proud that Cathy Skora's Folkloric Dance Company continues their
residence in the building, as does Franklin LaVoie's visionary Skeletons in the
Closet (in addition to a full calendar of classes and guest artists). This
season, Franklin and Bob work together on two classics: Kafka's seminal THE METAMORPHOSIS,
and the great Sumerian Ur-Myth, GILGAMESH. We're also thrilled that Stephen Dolginoff,
the composer-lyricist-actor, will join us in the spring to perform the WNY premiere
of his multi-award-winning musical THRILL ME, the smash-hit musical story of the
Leopold and Loeb murder case. In between, we'll be offering our hallmark repertoire
of new work, beginning with Grant Golden's mischievous musical comedy ME II in
November. Together,
we and our partners and sponsors are working to make our humble, historic home
into an inclusive enclave for the arts. But we need, you, too. Our memberships
begin at $75.00 - which allows you to purchase five seats to use any way you wish
and us to continue our restorations, artistic, and community work. Won't you please
join us?
In the meantime, welcome! We think there's nothing else like the
New Phoenix in Buffalo. We hope you'll agree.
Rick Lambert, Executive
Director
Bob Waterhouse, Artistic Director 2006-2007
Season
The Metamorphosis
September 21 - October 14, 2006
Adapted
by Steven Berkoff from the story by Franz Kafka
With Lenny Zielkowski as Gregor
Samsa
Original music by Paul Kozlowski and Patrick Cain
Franz
Kafka's haunting tale of alienation - in which a salesman wakes to find himself
transformed into a giant cockroach - is in itself transformed into an evening
of total theatre.
ME II
November 9 - 25, 2006
By Grant
Golden
Directed by David Granville The
world premiere of a new musical that finds comic mischief in the implications
of human cloning.
Eric Bentley New Play Competition
February 22 - March 10, 2007
Each year, we select a new playscript that explores the boundaries of theatricality,
identity or gender. Previous winners have included The Remarkable Piety of the
Infamous by Peter Dunne, On The Hill by Michelle Costa, Medium Rare by Franklin
LaVoie, and Organic Movement of the Chair and Pitcher by Tim McPeek
Gilgamesh
March 22 - April 14, 2007
The world's oldest recorded
story of heroism, friendship and the Flood is the myth of Gilgamesh, builder of
cities. Franklin LaVoie and Robert Waterhouse present a new version of the Ur-myth
inspired by Indonesian puppetry.
Thrill
Me
June 7 - June 30, 2007
Music, Book and Lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff
Starring Stephen Dolginoff and Joseph Demerly Nominated
for two Drama Desk Awards for Outstand-ing Musical and for Out-standing Music
(score), for the Outer Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, and
winner of the ASCAP Music Award, THRILL ME tells the famous story of two young,
privileged men who heighten their relationship with murder. | 
