THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

THE GOLDBERG – VARIATIONS

a play by GEORGE TABORI

September 19 – October 6, 2024
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets: $18 General, Students & Seniors $15
Run Time: 2 hours
COMMUNITY SPACE

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

This is the Amerian premiere of “The Goldberg-Variations” by George Tabori, a major play by a master of experimental theater who confronted the darkest aspects of human history with wit, insight and innovation.

The piece is a backstage comedy set in Jerusalem, where a play based on disasters in the Old and New Testaments is being rehearsed. The director of this play, Mr. Jay, is deliberately named with the initial of Jehovah. His assistant, Goldberg, is a Jew and an Auschwitz survivor. They enact the Creation, the Fall of Man, the near-sacrifice of Isaac, the Golden Calf and the Crucifixion with a satirical combination of seriousness, farce and unashamedly bad jokes.

The play is named after Bach’s famous musical composition, “Goldberg Variations.” Like the music, it explores variations on a theme, delving into the different ways in which individuals cope with trauma and loss.

George Tabori’s plays customarily deal with the Holocaust, Jewish identity, human suffering, and the absurdity of existence. They are deeply reflective and often unsettling, pushing audiences to confront difficult truths about history, humanity, and the self.

Director Manfred Bormann is now regarded as America’s primary interpreter of Tabori.

CAST
Jeff Burchfield*
Jee Duman
Derrick Peterson*
Alyssa Simon
Matt Walker*
Dana Watkins*

*these Actors are appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association. Equity Approved Showcase.

PRODUCTION
Set Design: Mark Marcante
Lighting Design: Alexander Bartenieff
Costume Design: Holly Pocket
Props Design: Lytza Colon
Sound Design: Cliff Hahn
Stage Manager: Mathew Seepersad
Production Associate: Defne Halman
Public Relations: Jonathan Slaff/jsnyc.com
Graphics: Julie Mardin

This production is funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)