June 9 - June 19; Thu, Fri, Sat @ 8 PM, Sun @ 3 PM
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CRYSTAL FIELD
PRESENTS
EXISTENCE
A Picaresque for the Time of Covid
By David Willinger
DATES: June 9 to 19, 2022
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 3 PM
RUNTIME: 2 hours
TICKETS: $18 / $15 for Students and Seniors JOHNSON THEATER
MASKS ARE MANDATORY!
THIS PRODUCTION REQUIRES THE AUDIENCE TO KEEP THEIR MASKS ON AT ALL TIMES
A live play with video. The Philosophy Institute at an urban university is holding a conference on Existentialism with famous speakers, descendants of four famous existentialists. An essay contest is announced. Three graduate students are announced as the finalists – including Enrique, Liora, and Matthias. They will have 24 hours to write an essay on the subject of Existence. They and Enrique’s girlfriend Beatriz, who isn’t a student but is devoted to knitting, decide to kill time by traveling to all the five boroughs of New York, looking for inspiration for their essays. In their travels, they go to real and imaginary places, all of which suggest the infinite. As they go, they fight, make love, sleep and dream, have realizations, engage in rituals, take Covid tests, get sick, happen upon a life-changing holy relic, come upon a lethal protest demonstration, and finally write their essays. On returning to the university, having made it to three out of five boroughs, the contest resolves in a surprising way. The play is written in a magic realist/surrealist style suggestive of dreams and hallucinations.
Discovering the Infinite Library!
EXISTENCE
Knitting a good scarf!
EXISTENCE
Your lover’s infidelity!
EXISTENCE
Stumbling on suddenly sprouted altars and chapels!
EXISTENCE
Drowning your sorrows in drink!
EXISTENCE
Pulling out that pesky nose-hair!
EXISTENCE
Coming upon the Prison of all Reconstructed Days!
EXISTENCE
Discovering Paradise in the heart of New York City!
It’s all part of…EXISTENCE!
Cast and Crew
Writer/ Director – David Willinger
S.M. – Christopher Bello
Composer – James Yaiullo
Lighting Design – Alex Bartenieff
Set Design – Mark Marcante
Costume Design – Desirée Conston
Film Editor – Roy Chang
Film Projection and Animations – Kayla Lessard
Dramaturgs – Carletta Joy Walker, Miranda McDermott
Choreographer – Michael Vazquez
Directors of Photography – Kimberley Flores, Tony McNally
Special Objects – Lytza Colón
Public Relations – Jay Michaels
Live Cast:
Espirito Domingo – Matthias
Sharandelle Murga – Beatriz
Hanna Ventura – Liora
Ervin Vazquez – Enrique
COVID Protocol:
As of August 17 2021, people 12 and older are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO.
Starting January 29, 2022, children ages 5 to 11 must also show proof of full vaccination. They must show they have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
Proof of vaccination may include the NYC Vaccination Record, CDC Vaccination Card (or photo), Excelsior Pass or NYC COVID Safe App.
All patrons must be vaccinated in order to see shows. Please provide proof before purchasing and picking up tickets.
