Poetic Theater Productions remounts Goliath by Takeo Rivera, recipient of the 2011 Planet Connections Award for Outstanding Overall Production of a New Play, May 23rd-June 3rd at the Wild Project (195 E 3rd St). Goliath is once again directed by Alex Mallory (2011 Planet Connections Award for Outstanding Direction) and features return ensemble members Samantha Cooper, Dontonio Demarco, Natalia Duong, Edgar Eguia and Monique Paige (2011 Planet Connections Award for Outstanding Ensemble) and newcomers Kenneth Heaton, Iliana Inocencio and Nabil Viñas. The production features lighting design by Brad Peterson, fight choreography by Jim Cairl and stage management by Sarah Livant.
Told from seven different perspectives, Goliath tells the tale of one young soldier’s war story, from home to the front and back again. Using a poetic landscape inspired by Ntozake Shange, a Greek chorus and spoken word in the style of Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry, Goliath is a theatrical meditation on war and masculinity; a glimpse into what we do during times of war and of what it means to love when violence is part of the norm.
Goliath was previously presented as part of the 2011 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity where it received five awards including Outstanding Production of a New Play, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Playwriting, Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress, and Outstanding Lighting Design. Goliath was named to Show Showdown’s Top Ten of 2011.
Poetic Theater Productions is a New York theater company working with poets and playwrights to create a visceral, poetic theater. Founded in 2010, the company has worked with more than 200 artists and presented work by 75 poets and playwrights. Past productions include Caroline Rothstein’s faith and Eboni Hogan’s Foreign Bodies for Culture Project’s Women Center Stage 2012 Festival and a workshop production of Edward McWilliams’ Underground for Poetic License, the company’s annual festival of new poetic theater. For more information visit www.poetictheater.com.
Poetic Theater Productions is partnering with Drew Cameron and the Combat Paper Project to present art created from military uniforms and other threads in the theater’s art gallery throughout the run. Poetry written by war veterans as part of Warrior Writers, a community of military veterans, service members and allies, will be presented before each performance.
Goliath runs May 23 - June 3, Wed. - Sat. 7:00pm, Sun. 3:00pm. The Wild Project is located at 195 E. 3rd Street b/w Aves A. & B. Tickets are $18, available on OvationTix at http://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/913252 or by calling 866-811-4111. For more information visit www.poetictheater.com/goliath.
Tickets for U.S. Veterans and active military are $5. An additional performance of Goliath will be presented on Memorial Day also at 7PM. Veterans can receive free tickets to the Memorial Day performance by RSVPing to info@poetictheater.com.
