Shakespeare in Brooklyn

Romeo & Juliet

… opens first season for Brooklyn’s classical theatre

Fridays & Saturdays: May 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22 @ 8 p.m.
Tickets $15 /$10 (seniors and students)

Buy tickets online!
Genesis @ The Block Institute
376 Bay 44th Street, Brooklyn
347.492.0534
genesis.brooklyn@gmail.com
www.genesis-repertory.org

WARNING

Stage guns are fired during this production. There are adult situations and language.

Brooklyn – Genesis Repertory opens its first season in Brooklyn with a production of Romeo & Juliet SET IN BROOKLYN. A revival of the company’s acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers updated to feature a Russian-Jewish Romeo and a Palestinian Juliet finding love in the streets of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, and Sheepshead Bay begins a three-week run starting Friday, May 7, at the company’s home space at the Block Institute on Bay 44th Street. The ambitious multimedia production includes film sequences, environmental staging with actors roaming the entire theatre – including the audience – and realistic (and bloody) fight scenes. The entire production is designed and directed by the company’s artistic director, Mary Elizabeth MiCari, whose Broadway staff credentials include Wonderful Town, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Light in the Piazza, and Little Women.

Making his professional theatre debut is 16-year-old Nelson Gonzalez as the headstrong Romeo. Aileen Lanni shares the marquee with him as Juliet. The cast includes local celebrities John Stillwaggon as Mercutio and Miguel Angel Sierra as his nemesis, Tybalt; British classical actress Anna Frankl-Duval and Russian-born character actor Kevin Sheynerman flank the Montagues while international opera singer, Courteney Lynn Wilds, shares the Capulet stage as the Nurse. Film and off-Broadway actor/playwright Francis Callahan guest stars as Friar Lawrence. The Montagues and the Capulets (led by Jay Michaels and Robert Aloi as the patriarchs), also include Christopher Sirota, Louis Tullo, Kristin O’Blessin, John Karcher, Mohammed Saad Ali, Lisa Tosti, Jennifer Stella, Theresa Chow, Eric Fitzgerald, and Lorenzo Valoy.

The multi-talented ensemble is also responsible for the production’s technical wizardry with film sequences directed by Jay Michaels and Christopher Sirota; fight choreography by Lisa Tosti (assisted by John Stillwaggon and Miguel Sierra); technical direction by Eric Fitzgerald; assistant costume coordination by Kristin O’Blessin; Russian and Arabic translations by Kevin Sheynerman and Mohammed Saad Ali, and Louis Tullo serving as assistant director and the company’s webmaster. Shauna K. Smart is stage manager and Christine Kahaly is production associate.

During the month, the company will also present the rare alternate version of Hamlet and a special stage presentation from its arts training program.

Due to the snow emergency, GENESIS REPERTORY’S SATURDAY NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF A Christmas Carol IS POSTPONED. Please contact GENESIS.BROOKLYN@GMAIL.COM for more information on this and future projects.

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.

Check out the review for our opening concert on our Press page. There you’ll find a number of reviews, articles and interviews.

Please check out our feature story in US Town Hall here by reporter Scott Katz (Internet Explorer recommended). You can view more articles, interviews and reviews of Genesis on our Press page.

It was a wonderful night on November 21st. Great concert!!! Great Audience!!! Don’t miss our next show on December 19th.

Genesis Repertory welcome its first sponsor of its Brooklyn location:

IZZE Sparkling Juice

http://www.izze.com

IZZE is donating refreshments for Genesis Repertory’s opening of its new Brooklyn Theatre. Here’s to a new and refreshing patron of the arts in Brooklyn!

Our 10th Anniversary Celebration, GEN10 is November 21 at 7PM. Click here for directions to the theater.

GEN10: GENESIS REPERTORY celebrates TENTH YEAR at its NEW BROOKLYN THEATRE

Founders – and Brooklynites – Mary Elizabeth MiCari and Jay Michaels cordially invite you to an evening of fine music and enthralling drama as Genesis Repertory Ensemble celebrates ten years as one of New York’s premier classical and musical theaters. The celebration takes place on Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the company’s new location – the main stage of The Block Institute, 376 Bay 44th Street in Brooklyn.

The event will present a retrospect of the company’s finest moments over the last ten years — including excerpts from their award-winning off-Broadway productions — along with coming attractions of their new season – now being finalized at press time. The company’s very musical first season includes The American Songbook – a night of popular favorites that shaped America’s music; A Christmas Carol and Alice in Wonderland – both utilizing original texts from 1898; and – of course – a glimpse at their acclaimed Shakespeare season including a revival of Romeo & Juliet. Genesis’ version features a Jewish Romeo and a Palestinian Juliet.

After an extensive interview process the new repertory of actors include: Michelle Alexandra, Nikki Bohm, Theresa Chow, Joy Donze, William Doyle, Anna Frankl-Duval, Amanda Gagnon, Wayne Gant, M. Alan Haley, Jackie Jacobi, Robert F. Saunders, John Stillwaggon, Lisa Tosti, and Louis Tullo with guest artist Francis Callahan (of the recent off-Broadway productions of The Check Is In the Mail and the revival of Savage in Limbo) and Joyce A. Adams and The Holiday Dancers.

Genesis also sports a teen and college artists repertory in conjunction with the arts programs of Joyce Adam’s Dance Center in Bay Ridge including Molly Callahan, Marc Carbonaro, Ashley Chico, Jillian Clementi, Thomas Doyle, Delia Feeney, Karolina Hetesova, Erin Rafferty, Alondra Vargas, and Adele Wendt (who appeared off-Broadway in The Madwoman of Chaillot (as part of Genesis’ internship program). Members of the company’s acting school appearing that night include: DeAnna DeCillis, Nicole Johnson, and Kristin O’ Blessin.

Genesis Repertory productions won or were nominated for ASCAP Awards, Off-Off Broadway Review Awards, Spotlight Awards, Samuel French New Works Honors, TheatreWorld Honors, Innovative Theatre Awards, and appeared in five Samuel French New Works Festivals, four Fringe Festivals, three Spotlight Festivals, two Midtown International Festivals, one Yeshiva University Arts Festival; members also appeared in a film at the Cannes Film festival. Project management professional Christine Kahaly joins the company as its director of operations, Jake Lloyd will serve as musical director of the event and of the company, and John Stillwaggon will head the youth theatre. Joyce Adams continues as the director of Genesis’ dance program.

TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE $20 (TAX-DEDUCTIBLE)
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
JAY MICHAELS AT 646-338-5472 OR GENESIS.BROOKLYN@GMAIL.COM.

J’ Dance Center and Genesis Repertory offer a full curriculum of performing arts classes at two locations.

All the world’s a stage … and Brooklyn has a new one!

Brooklyn, NY – Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst can now boast professional theatre right in their own backyard this fall as J’s New Dance Center on 73rd Street and Fifth Avenue expands its partnership with Genesis Repertory to present a full curriculum of arts programs for children and adults at the Block Institute on Bay 44th Street as well.

Renowned dancer/choreographer Joyce Adams Beck (the J is J’s New Dance Center) presents an extensive array of dance classes for children, teens and young adults including Jazz, Tap and Ballet, Acrobatics, and special Pointe classes for her more advanced students while Genesis Repertory, the respected off-Broadway theatre company, will offer Singing & Vocal Training, Acting Workshops in both modern & classical styles; How to Market Yourself as a Professional; and programs that study stage plays, Broadway musicals, and opera, and its acclaimed Audition Workshop. Genesis will also present its 10th anniversary season of productions at The Block Institute.

What makes these programs so special is that they include a showcase performance and MEMBERSHIP IN THE RESIDENT ACTING COMPANY.

To date more than 50 students have made their off-Broadway debut thanks to Genesis Repertory and J’s New Dance Center. Most recently, 14-year-old Adele Wendt appeared in The Madwoman of Chaillot and Theresa Chow and Domenick Petito (both from Kingsborough College) are currently running in the new off-Broadway play, The Check Is In The Mail as part of the New York Fringe Festival. The program extends to crew as well as Andrew Liebowitz of Brooklyn College and Shauna Smart of Hunter College are assistant stage managers in the Fringe production. Liebowitz also landed a permanent position with The Bronx Opera thanks to Genesis Repertory

Registration for all programs start AUGUST 31

at J’s NEW DANCE CENTER, 7315 FIFTH AVENUE

Call for prices and registration and class times.
Ask about our discounts
Accessible & Affordable

347-492-0534

Genesis.Brooklyn@gmail.com

Gen X

Genesis Repertory turns 10 at the Cannes Film Festival ~ New York International Fringe Festival ~ Readers Ensemble Summer Festival ~ Block Institute

One of NY’s premiere classical companies celebrates a decade in a big way!

@ HOME

Genesis Repertory will now take up residency in the 350-seat theatre located in The Block Institute on Bay 44th Street in Brooklyn. The respected institute for individuals with special needs will serve as home base for Genesis 10th anniversary season and will enable the company to expand its educational programming, which already includes acting, vocal training, and the widely popular audition and networking workshop. Genesis will have a special anniversary gala in September, a presentation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (the original stage version, written by Dickens’s himself), and a revival of the company’s highly acclaimed production of Romeo & Juliet. The BLOCK INSTITUTE is located at 376 Bay 44th Street, Brooklyn

@ THE FRINGE

Genesis presents The Check Is In The Mail as part of the 13th Annual Fringe Festival. This black comedy revolves around an ensemble of four arrogant entrepreneurs. Business barons, Leon and Jerry, had the world in the pockets of their tailored suits… until Leon got greedy. Now they must eliminate the competition… literally. The play takes a surreal turn as office workers begin a war dance, spiraling toward the play’s unavoidable conclusion. Directed and designed by Mary Elizabeth MiCari, Genesis’ artistic director and Broadway technician, the play features Allen Lewis Rickman and J. Michaels as Leon and Jerry; Francis Callahan as their “consultant,” Cynthia Granville as their colleague-turned-competition, and Kristin O’Blessin as their long-time, long-suffering secretary. Dancers Joyce A. Beck, Stefanie Smith, and Kristin O’ Blessin are the temps-turned-tappers in the bailout ballet. The play is written by Robert Liebowitz.

The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, NYC

8/14 @ 5PM, 8/16 @ 10:30PM, 8/17 @ 4:15PM, 8/29 @ 8:30PM, and 8/30 @ 3:45PM

Tickets: $15.

For information/tickets visit www.FringeNYC.org or call (866) 468-7619

@ CANNES

Genesis members appeared in the new film, Norman Normal: A Modern Metamorphosis, at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie won several festival honors and now has a distributor. It won’t be long until it is “coming to a theatre near you.”

@ The READERS ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL

J. Michaels, the president of the board of Genesis Repertory will be one of the four guest directors for The Readers’ Ensemble Company Summer Festival 2009. Mr. Michaels directs The Madwoman of Chaillot, which features members of Genesis’ acting program. One Night Only: Monday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. at The University of the Streets, 130 East 7th Street ~ NYC $8 All Seats (check the website for discounts) www.readersensemblecompany.org for reservation or further information.

HISTORY

Beginning as an arts & education project in the Lower East Side in 1999, Genesis’ trademark is combining history and pop culture with the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries is exemplified with The “Kennedy” Hamlet, set in Dallas 1963; Romeo & Juliet in Jerusalem (Romeo is Jewish, Juliet is Palestinian); Macbeth in 1940s Argentina; Faustus as a tribute to Orson Welles; and a Fellini-esque Richard III utilizing puppetry with live action. Genesis also sponsored productions and initiatives at Fordham University, LaMama, The Greek Cultural Center, Yeshiva University, Cypreco of America, College Now, and assisted in the creation of Kingsborough College’s Performing Arts Society. The King Series, Genesis contemporary works division presents plays classical in structure.