Unicorn Theatre’s in-progress new play reading series takes on super heroes.
Unicorn Theatre is dedicated to new plays and the playwrights who write them. In March, the Unicorn will co-produce with UMKC Theatre the World Premiere of Lia Romeo’s play Green Whales. For the next In-Progress New Play Reading Series event February 7th at 7:30pm, Romeo’s newest play Super will be read. This is just one example of how the Unicorn is fostering new voices in American Theatre, especially the voices of women. In the spirit of the co-production of Green Whales, Super will feature students from the UMKC Theatre graduate acting program. Justin Shaw will direct the piece. Super had it’s first reading at the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey in November 2009. There are no tickets or reservations for In-Progress New Play Readings Series events. A donation is requested at the door. More information can be found online at www.unicorntheatre.org.
THE PLAY
Preston has been living in Curtis’ walk-in closet since his ex-girlfriend Casey threw him out. On their way home from a night of drinking, Preston jumps in the Hudson River for a swim only to be engulfed by a green chemical wave that gives him crime fighting super powers. Lou, aka “Danger-Man”, a homeless, beer-guzzling-super-hero in his own rite, enters the picture and takes Preston under his wing to fight crime in the city. Will these new super powers be enough to get Casey back?
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Lia Romeo is the playwright-in-residence at Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. She earned her B.A. from Princeton University and her M.F.A. in playwriting from Rutgers University. Her play Green Whales has been developed at the Kennedy Center, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, and New Jersey Repertory Theatre, and will receive its world premiere from the Unicorn Theatre in 2010. Her play Right Place, Right Time was a finalist for the O’Neill National Playwrights’ Conference, the HotCity Theatre New Play Festival, and the Centre Stage New Play Festival, and will receive its world premiere from the Renegade Theatre Experiment in 2010. Her short play “Yog Sothoth” was a finalist for the Heideman Award. This and other short plays have been produced in thirteen different states and internationally. She and her brother are co-authors of the humor book 11,002 Things to Be Miserable About (Abrams Image).
–Lia Romeo
