| 2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival |
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Page 1 of 9  Every year, the Midtown International Theatre Festival offers a sumptuous smorgasbord of shows, and this year is no exception. Among the most intriguing productions to be presented under the auspices of the ninth annual festival are Love, Incorporated (pictured), a musical about a successful career woman who uses her business skills to try to land the man of her dreams; Jump Jim Crow, a drama about a successful blackface act in the 19th century that led to the establishment of the Jim Crow laws; and Kidnapping Laura Linney, a comedy about two struggling actors who try to create the sitcom of their dreams but are driven to drastic measures when love, jealousy, and a famous actress get in their way.A total of 50 shows will be offered within a three-week period this year. Beginning on Monday, July 14 and running through Sunday, August 3, MITF9 will hold court at seven different venues, all within walking distance of each other. The participating sites include the WorkShop Theater's mainstage space, the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc and Dorothy Strelsin venues and TBG Theatre, all located at 312 West 36th Street; The Where Eagles Dare Theatre, located at 347 West 36th Street; and Stage Left Studio, located at 438 West 37th Street. (Note: Shows at TBG Theatre will continue through August 10.) "This is a tremendous year of growth for the Festival," says MITF founder and executive producer John Chatterton. "After last year's overwhelming response at the box office, we realized it was time to expand. So while we're keeping our base of operations at the venues where we were last year, we're also returning to the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex -- our home in 2003 -- as well as using the Barrow Group Theatre for our Commercial Division, which features shows with a specific eye to moving to the next level once they've finished their MITF run." MITF continues to present the sort of eclectic works for which it has become famous. In addition to the shows noted above, others slated for this season include dramas about the horrors of war and the breakdown of the family unit; comedies about a successful playwright trying to come up with another hit and a Southern belle accused of killing with rat poison; a fantasy about a prince who trades places with his manservant as he goes in search of true love; a musical about Cleopatra; and revivals of Alan Ayckbourn's Intimate Exchanges, Chekhov one-acts, and the Broadway comedy A Shot in the Dark. A complete list of productions may be found on the following pages. Many of the shows are Actors' Equity approved showcases; asterisks next to performers' names indicate that they are Equity members. Tickets to all shows can be purchased through Ticket Central, either by calling 212-279-4200 or by going to their website at ticketcentral.com. All tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for students and seniors. Further information on the Festival can be found at midtownfestival.org. |
