New York University’s Program in Educational Theatre in the Steinhardt School of Education’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions will present Mad Forest, a play about the aftermath of the 1989 Romanian revolution. Mad Forest runs October 28 and 29 and November 3-5 at 8 p.m., and October 30 and November 6 at 3 p.m. at The Provincetown Playhouse, 133 MacDougal Street. Tickets are $15 general admission; $5 with valid NYU I.D.
Mad Forest was developed by English playwright Caryl Churchill, known for her highly acclaimed plays Serious Money, Cloud Nine, and Top Girls. In the play, Churchill depicts two families who endure the oppression of Nicolae Ceausescu, Communist leader of Romania, and his regime, and what happens when the regime collapses. The play’s scenes present the events and feelings through the eyes of ordinary people.
The NYU production of Mad Forest will be directed by Nancy Smithner. Smithner was inspired to direct Mad Forest after seeing the opening of the play in London in 1990, and more recently, after having spent this past summer in London during the bombings.
“The themes portrayed in the play of war, power, dictatorship, terror, and chaos were very much on my mind,” said Smithner. “While distanced now in time by nearly 16 years, the Romanian Revolution resonates today as a time when people grappled with taking a stand against an oppressive regime, while also maintaining control of their lives and being able to support their families.”
NYU’s cast will feature undergraduate and graduate students from Steinhardt’s Program in Educational Theatre in the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions.
For ticket reservations, call 212.998.5281. For more information about Mad Forest, contact Steinhardt’s production office at 212.998.5069.