Working on A Special Day

Overview

Produced by:: The Play Company and Por Piedad Teatro
Dates:: January 10 - February 17, 2013
Run Time:: 0 Hour, 0 Minute
Intermission:: No
Theater:: Showing in Theater

Show Info

Based on Una Giornata Particolare by: Ettore Scola and Ruggero Maccari and adapted by Gigliola Fantoni
Translation by: Danya Taymor, Ana Graham and Antonio Vega
Original staging concept by: Laura Almela and Daniel Gim Nez Cacho
With: Ana Graham and Antonio Vega

Inspired by Ettore Scola's Oscar-nominated story from stage and screen, two actors explore the life-changing encounter between an overworked housewife and a mysterious bachelor on May 8, 1938 - the day Rome celebrates Hitler's visit to Mussolini's Italy.

Using only simple props they create a bittersweet human drama that unfolds within the charged political landscape of rising fascism.

Ana

Graham

Antonio

Vega

Photo Caption: Working on a Special Day
Photo:

Click Here to view photos of the Working on a Special Day set.

Producing Company

The Play Company

The Play Company produces adventurous new plays from the U.S. and around the world to advance a dynamic, global view of contemporary theatre and expand the American repertoire. Now in its 13th season, PlayCo’s distinctive international programming links American theatre with world theatre, American artists with the global creative community, and American audiences with a whole world of plays. PlayCo’s body of work includes 21 world, American and New York premieres, recently including the Obie Award-winning American premiere of INVASION! by Jonas Hassen Khemiri (Sweden) directed by Erica Schmidt, the America premiere of ENJOY by Toshiki Okada (Japan) directed by Dan Rothenberg, and the New York premiere of AMERICAN HWANGAP by Lloyd Suh (U.S.) directed by Trip Cullman. The Idea Lab, a program of public events that complement the production work, has recently featured distinguished guests such as playwright David Henry Hwang, the hip hop group Say Word Entertainment, and Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU’s National Security Project. Created in 1999 by Kate Loewald, Mike Ockrent and Jack Temchin, PlayCo received a 2007 Obie Award for its ”unique contribution to the Off Broadway community”.

Por Piedad Teatro Foundation

This production marks the start of their work in New York. With a production history of more than 10 years, Por Piedad Teatro's past productions in Mexico include The Golden Dragon by Roland Schimmelpfennig (Germany); Playing the Victim by Oleg and Vladimir Presnyakov (Russia); Ladies and Gents by Paul Walker (Ireland); Psychosis 4.58, Crave and Blasted by Sarah Kane (UK); The Country by Martin Crimp (UK); Some Explicit Polaroids by Mark Ravenhill (UK); Grace and Glory by Tom Ziegler (US); A Business Woman by José Enrique Gorlero (Argentina); and Interiors by Woody Allen (US). Pursuing the dialogue between the two cultures, Mexican and American, so close to one another and yet so different, Por Piedad Teatro is committed to theatre of the highest quality, seeking to create a bridge of mutual collaboration, generating links at every level, joining forces with the most talented theatre professionals from both countries by opening lines of communication that allow for mutual understanding.

Read more at: http://www.porpiedadteatro.org

Reviews

"Ana Graham and Antonio Vega are so engaging... fast pace, crack timing and almost whimsical inventiveness! Voila!" - The New York Times

"This charming mini-drama encourages an imaginative bond between players and audience - surely worth celebrating!" - Time Out New York CRITIC's PICK

"Theater at its most inventive - genius! This sort of inventiveness is rarely seen in New York these days, making Working on a Special Day even more of a treat!" - Theatermania

"So engaging... as fleeting and fun as a day long love affair!" - New Yorker

"Poignant and frequently funny - made even more moving by the wonderful performances!" - New York Post

"Heart shattering - simple and telling!" - Backstage

"A unique piece - charming, sweetly sophisticated and very, very moving. Ana Graham and Antonio Vega are unforgettable!" - Jim Simpson, Artistic Director of the Flea Theater