Boston Conservatory's Theater Division
will present “A Place to Say Something: A Celebration
of the Off-Off-Broadway Movement of the 60’s”
from Nov. 9–12. The schedule will include a retrospective of
plays, panels and workshops. All events will take place in The
Boston Conservatory Zack Box Theater, 8 The Fenway in Boston.
And while all events are free and open to the public, tickets are
required.
Event organizer and Boston Conservatory Theater faculty
member Phoebe Wray commented, “We are particularly
proud of this celebration, because this makes The Boston Conservatory
the first academic institution to recognize the work and influence
of the Off-Off- Broadway movement. We’ve chosen plays and discussion
topics that will give people a real feel for the energy and vitality
of this important and dynamic theatrical movement.”
Event Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 9
6 – 8 p.m. – Reception and Book Launch for "Back
to the Caffe Cino," a collection of more than 20 plays
originally produced at the Cino circa 1959-1967, with memoir-style
essays by many of the pioneers who helped to launch the revolution
that took place in American theatre on the Cino's 8-by-8-foot stage.
The collection is edited by George Birisima, who will be on hand to
discuss the book and sign copies. Expected attendees include many
of the playwrights whose plays will be featured throughout the weekend,
along with others who were part of the influential movement. The following
are expected: William Hoffman, Doric Wilson, Bob Heide, John Gilmore,
Michael McGrinder, Daniel Haben Clark, Phoebe Wray, Larry Loonin,
Lanford Wilson and George White, plus a video greeting from Robert
Patrick.
8 p.m. – Panel Discussion: The Phenomenon and Retrospective.
Panelists TBA
Friday, Nov. 10
8 p.m. Performance of Plays
The order of plays listed below is not necessarily the order in which
they will be performed. Authors who are present will speak between
set- ups.
• Sex is for Two People
– Lanford Wilson (25 mins.)
Two men – a strange encounter in a steam room.
• Thank You Miss Victoria
– William M. Hoffman (20 mins.)
One man – Yuppie succumbs to a dominatrix on the phone in his
office.
• The Foreigners
– Michael McGrinder (30 mins.)
One man, one woman – love story.
• The Warhol Machine
– Robert Patrick (20 mins.)
Two men, two women, and a “machine” (played by either
sex) – a weird anti-war play.
Sat. Nov. 11
2 – 4 p.m. Living Theater Workshop
For fifty years, The Living Theatre has been exploring theatrical
technique; from the political theater of Piscator, through the expressionism
of Meyerhold, to the raw emotion of Artaud, creating some of the most
startling productions in modern theater. The students are introduced
to skills that build ensemble communication, various techniques for
vocal expression, stage movement and text development, and interaction
with the audience, breaking the fourth wall. The workshop will deal
with political and social issues and emotional, physical response
to those issues, resulting in a short improvised play. Guests are
invited to observe the process.
6 p.m. Panel Discussion
Historical perspectives (cultural and social revolution); Actors’
Equity Association conflict; Anti-Establishment and Stonewall- the
gay/ civil rights propulsion of the movement.
8 p.m. Performance of Plays
The order of plays listed below is not necessarily the order in which
they will be performed. Authors who are present will speak between
set- ups.
• And He Made a Her
– Doric Wilson (30 mins.)
Four men, one woman – a funny feminist encounter in Eden.
• Moon –
Robert Heide (35 mins.)
Two men, two women – sweet but sharp slice-of-Village- life.
• Daddy Violet
– George Birimisa (40 mins.)
Two men, one woman – anti-war play with speculative elements.
Sun. Nov. 12
2 p.m. Performance of Plays
The order of plays listed below is not necessarily the order in which
they will be performed. Authors who are present will speak between
set- ups. Includes a Q &A Session: “Nuts and Bolts”
– A discussion of the day-to-day realties of acting, producing,
etc., for those involved.
• The Rue Garden
– Claris Nelson (60 mins.)
Three women, one man – fantasy about misunderstandings
• The Mulberry Bush
- Phoebe Wray (20 mins.)
Ten women – a play for voices about women and their men
• Love Me, Or I’ll
Kill You - Daniel Haben Clark (40 mins.)
One man, one woman – crazy relationship play, farce
For tickets and information, call The Boston Conservatory Box Office
at 617-912-9222 by Tuesday, Nov. 7. After Nov. 7, the public should
call the Theater Division at 617-912- 9144 for ticket availability.
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OnStage Boston
