The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced world premieres by Roger Guenveur Smith and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins for the 2009-2010 Public LAB season. Now in its third year, Public LAB allows audiences to see important new plays for only $10, cheaper than the price of a movie ticket. Tickets for JUAN AND JOHN go on-sale on Thursday, October 22.
The 2009-2010 Public LAB season will feature JUAN AND JOHN, created and performed by Roger Guenveur Smith (December 1-20) and conclude with NEIGHBORS, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Niegel Smith (February 16-March 7).
Public LAB, conceived in association with LAByrinth Theater Company, is an annual series of new plays that lets New Yorkers see more of the work they love from The Public in scaled-down productions. Public LAB allows The Public to support more artists, and gives audiences immediate access to new plays in development. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported Public LAB with one of the largest grants ever received by the Public Theater.
In its first two years, Public LAB has produced a diverse range of works by emerging and established playwrights, including Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles? by Adrienne Kennedy, The Poor Itch by John Belluso, Paris Commune by Steven Cosson and Michael Friedman, The Fever Chart by Naomi Wallace, The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson, Penalties and Interest by Rebecca Cohen, Sweet Storm by Scott Hudson, Philip Roth in Khartoum by David Bar Katz, Tales of an Urban Indian by Darrell Dennis, Knives and Other Sharp Objects by Raúl Castillo, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson by Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman, and Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 8 & 9) by Suzan-Lori Parks.
"In two short years Public LAB has become an indispensable part of The Public Theater's mission and profile," said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "These two plays are adventurous, daring and theatrically explosive new works, and I am delighted we can bring them to our audience."
"We are delighted to be launching our third season of Public LAB with two thrilling playwrights," said Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett. "We are excited to welcome Roger's singular artistry back to The Public, and we are equally excited to introduce Branden, a fiercely talented up-and-coming writer making his debut with an incredibly original and powerful look at race in America."
JUAN AND JOHN (World Premiere)
Created and Performed by Roger Guenveur Smith
Sound and Video by Marc Anthony Thompson
December 1- December 20, 2009
Press opening: December 13
It's 1965 and there's a riot going on. Watts and Vietnam are burning. So is La Republica Dominicana. In San Francisco, it's the Giants vs. the Dodgers. Juan Marichal vs. John Roseboro. Cain vs. Abel. Roger Guenveur Smith and Marc Anthony Thompson, the Obie-winning creators of A Huey P. Newton Story, return to The Public with new work inspired by ancient themes: rage, retribution, and redemption.
NEIGHBORS (World Premiere)
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Niegel Smith
February 16 - March 7, 2010
Have you seen the new neighbors? Richard Patterson is not happy. The family of black actors that has moved in next door is loud, tacky, shameless, and uncouth. And they are not just infiltrating his neighborhood-they threaten his reputation, his family, and his comfortably progressive lifestyle. This wildly theatrical, explosive play on race marks the major debut of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a member of the Public's Emerging Writers Group.
