Writers BLOCK readings and final class of Playwrighting class

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WRITER’S BLOCK: Plays about Vietnam, Watts, Arab-Americans, and Dead Fathers

Celebrated author and playwright, Robert Liebowitz, presented a night of new works by burgeoning playwrights located in Brooklyn.Presenting the works of T.L. Montuori and Mohammed Saad Alias well as his own, Mr. Liebowitz gives the audience a night of brief but thought-provoking new plays on topical and historical subjects. As in the past, many of the playwrights under his tutelage have gone on to have works presented professionally. Mr. Liebowitz himself is recognized off-Broadway and his book of plays is currently on sale at Drama Books Stores.Saturday, November 10 brought four new works:”Lonely Night” by Mohammed Said Ali, sees the plight of three men – Omar, Fred, and Sam – hanging out on the boardwalk in Coney Island. They are getting stoned … and getting on each other’s nerves. They begin looking for trouble and in no time, find it. (15 min)

“Wisdom That Men Seek” by Robert Liebowitz, features a father and son squaring off for one final battle – twenty years after the father’s death. This is an excerpt from the original play, which premiered Off-Broadway and is now being made into a feature film. (15 min)

“Webbs” by Ted Montuori, concerns two kids in the military – one white, one black – who suddenly find themselves in the cross hairs of the turbulent year of 1966, when Vietnam and, at the same time, a small neighborhood near Los Angeles called Watts were erupting in flames.  (15 min)

“Yusef” by Mohammed Said Ali, concerns the struggles, dreams, and fears of the newest wave of the American Immigrant Experience – the Arab-American. An unexpected pregnancy is only one of the plot lines in this searing three-person drama. (15 min)

Guest actors from various professional venues will be appearing in these pieces and a Q&A followed the short presentations.

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/45/24_bayridgeblock_2012_11_09_bk.html

AUTHORS:

Mohammed Saad Ali: A repertory member of Genesis Repertory, he recently created the role of Achak in Earthmen, which premiered Off-Broadway, and will join the cast of the upcoming film version. He is currently working on scripts for a new stage work and several poetry projects.

T.L. Montuori has been involved with the theater since the 1970s. He was an original member of None of the Above Repertory, and his debut as a playwright, Bags, received critical acclaim when performed in Greenwich Village. His latest work – co-authored with Mr. Liebowitz – was San-Man: A Life in Garbage presented at Theater 22 in New York.

Robert Liebowitz’ plays been produced throughout the country since his debut production in New York in 1983. He has taught playwriting for years; his first collection of works, “Awake & Aggravated” received critical acclaim. He just completed his first book, “Just A Fan,” a collection of essays about sports, to be unleashed into the world in early 2013, and his play, Wisdom That Men Seek, will be made into a major motion picture. He is pleased with the work and growth his students have demonstrated.

 

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A Christmas Carol

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Genesis presents a reading of Charles Dickens’ original stage play

based on his classic holiday story
A Christmas Carol

By now, everyone has seen Ebenezer Scrooge played by either Patrick Stewart, George C. Scott, Alistair Sim, the voice of Jim Carrey, Mr. Magoo, or Scrooge McDuck, but how many can boast having seen the ORIGINAL STAGE PLAY by Charles Dickens himself, written at the dawn of the 20th Century?

Genesis Repertory, Brooklyn’s classical theater company, will present a special one-night reading of this early version of one of the most familiar Christmas stories.

Before there were talk-shows and commercials, authors had to create stage versions of their novels and short stories as a way of promoting them … well Charles Dickens was no exception. In 1898, he wrote a stage play of A Christmas Carol, which he then performed as well. This reading – staged by Jay Michaels – uses that script and features members of the repertory company, the acting school, and returning founding artists of the organization; cast includes Marc Carbonaro, Ashley Chico, Theresa Chow, DeAnna DeCillis, Joy Donze, Thomas Doyle, William Doyle, Delia Feeney, Anna Frankl-Duval, Michael Fortunato, Amanda Gagnon, M. Alan Haley, Kristin O’Blessin, Robert F. Saunders, John Stillwaggon, Lisa Tosti, Louis Tullo, Adele Wendt.  Mr. Michaels assumes the role of Scrooge.

Genesis’ first Brooklyn season includes Alice In Wonderland, The American Songbook, and a revival of their award winning production of Romeo & Juliet in which Romeo is Jewish and Juliet is Palestinian.

For more information or to make reservations, please call 646-338-5472 or e-mail, genesis.brooklyn@gmail.com.

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