Apr 05
Jan 30
Website is undergoing a little construction. You can still view all links on the sidebar, write to us and read all pages. Should be cleaned up in a couple of days.
Jan 12
After producing a few shows in Astoria where our office was located Genesis has decided to move to Brooklyn specifically Bay Ridge. Mary Elizabeth MiCari, a native of the borough and newly appointed Artistic Director of Genesis passionately convinced out board that the move would be a profitable one both artistically and financially. Presently Genesis is looking for a home space to continue the it’s classes and begin workshops that will culminate in a production of Romeo and Juliet.
Genesis recently produced Romeo and Juliet and placed it in Jerusalem. However, Bay Ridge is home to a richly diversified ethnic population which is full of tension and the same type of potential for disturbance as Jerusalem. It is here in our own backyard where prejudice, anger and streets and potential romance where we will place our next production of this timeless story.
If you are interested in working with Genesis in any capacity please feel free to get in touch with us.
Aug 30
June 1999: a group of actors — alum from a widely praised production of Hamlet at The Mazer Theater — wanted to continue sharing their love of the classic and their unique way of presenting them with the theatre-going community. They signed a lease for a space that once housed some of the greatest classical companies and began reinventing the classics and making them accessible to a new audience. They took — as their name — the word for creation and the word meaning established collection. This was to be their motto… to reinvent Shakespeare and his contemporaries for a new audience in a new century:
GENESIS REPERTORY
Classical Theatre for the 21st Century.
Today the company has presented more than 50 productions — classical and original.
Today the company has fostered education programs, opera companies, and improv troupes.
Today the company produced in venues in Manhattan, Queens, and now, Brooklyn.
Today the company’s presence includes The Fringe Festival, The Midtown Festival, The Samuel French Festival, The Yeshiva Arts Festival, The BrooklynOneTheater Festival, The Spotlight-On Festival, and many more.
Today the company has alumna working on Broadway, in regional theatre, and on television, with venues including Lincoln Center.
Today, the company is approaching ten years old.
Look for exciting news regarding the 10th anniversary celebration and season.
Aug 10
Mike and Nat have unfinished business.
THE WISDOM THAT MEN SEEK. The New York International Fringe Festival in association with Genesis Repertory presents a new play by Robert Liebowitz. The play opens with the ghostly return of gangster Nathan Kessler (Joe LoGrippo) — now dead twenty years. Nathan needs absolution from his embittered son, Michael, ( J. Michaels) or he will find no peace. Nathan employs memories from the “other side” to help him in his quest for forgiveness … and to stop his son from following in his footsteps. Flashbacks transport the audience to a battle zone in World War II; a Jewish home in Brooklyn circa 1969; a back-room poker game in 1955; a boxing ring in Hell; and Lulu’s for corned beef… the lines there are shorter than at Irving’s. This hard-bitten drama is directed by Robert Liebowitz, with production design by Broadway staffer, Mary Elizabeth MiCari and lighting design by Shaun S. Orbin. Rounding out the cast is Michael Ruocco, Mitch Poulos , and introducing Artie Mezzo as Michael age 11. Eric Fitzgerald is production stage manager. 8/12 @ 7:45 p.m., 8/15 @ 3:45 p.m., 8/17 @ 2:30 p.m., 8/18 @ 4:30 p.m. and 8/24 @ 10:45 p.m. The Players Theatre 115 MacDougal Street (south of West 3rd St.) SUBWAY: A, B, C, D, E, F, V to West 4th Street PARKING: West 3rd and MacDougal. Tickets: $15. For tickets visit www.fringeNYC.org or call (in New York) 1.212.279.4488 or (outside New York) 1.888.FRINGENYC
Did you know…
o This is Brooklyn-born playwright Robert Liebowitz’s first time at the prestigious summer fest.
o His book of plays, Awake & Aggravated is on sale at the Drama Book Store.
o Chief designer of the production, Broadway staffer Mary Elizabeth MiCari (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wonderful Town, Little Women, Light in the Piazza), makes her second outing with the Fringe.
o Liebowitz & MiCari started in theatre together 25 years ago during one of the high-points of the off-off Broadway theatre movement.
o J. Michaels originated the role of Michael Kessler at The Dramatists Guild.
o J. Michaels has been named director of public relations for The Bronx Opera.
o Joe LoGrippo is no stranger to tough-guy roles having appeared in The Godfather movies.
o High school senior Michael Ruocco and Brooklyn College student Eric Fitzgerald are part of Project R.E.A.C.T. (Repertory of Emerging Artists from College Theatres), a program sponsored by Genesis Repertory in which high school seniors and college students are given opportunities to work in the professional theater prior to graduation. R.E.A.C.T. was inaugurated at the 2005 Fringe Festival.
o Artie Mezzo, Age 11, makes his off-Broadway and professional theatre debut in this production.
o This is Mitch Poulos’ second time with the Fringe Festival.
o This production is sponsored in part by Ben’s Delicatessen.
o Costumes purchased on ebay.
Mar 10
For Immediate Release
Contact: Martin West at 646-226-0370 or WrightGroupPR@gmail.com
In the Holy Land where we lay our scene.
Genesis presents “Romeo & Juliet” in the Middle East.
March 22 — April 14
Opening Weekend: Thurs - Sunday: March 22, 23, 24 at 8 p.m. March 25 at 2 p.m.
Thurs - Saturday: March 29, 30, 31 at 8 p.m.
Thurs: April 5 at 8 p.m.
Saturday: April 7 at 7 p.m. — A special performance benefitting Project R.E.A.C.T. Closing Weekend: Thurs - Saturday: April 12, 13, 14 at 8 p.m.
No performance on Good Friday or Easter Sunday
Tickets $15 all seats ~ For tickets: 646-226-0370 or GenesisAstoria@gmail.com
Log onto www.genesis-repertory.org for more info on the production and the company.
Astoria , Queens — Genesis Repertory will present Romeo & Juliet from March 22 through April 14 at the Greek Cultural Center at 27-18 Hoyt Ave. South in Astoria, setting this great play in Jerusalem, modern day. Romeo is an American Jew visiting Israel and encounters Juliet, the daughter of a Palestinian businessman. This will be presented in English with sections in Arabic and Hebrew. This will truly be a special event here in Astoria … or anywhere.
“Two households, both alike in dignity … from ancient grudge breaks to new mutiny … from forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.” These words open Shakespeare’s perennial tale of tragic love – Romeo & Juliet. These words also resonate as describing life … and death in the Middle East.
J Michaels, artistic director of Genesis and one of the directors of the production noted recently that Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed love has come to be the definitive story of how the purity of love is often dwarfed by the blindness created by hate and that audiences are always ready for the tragedy that hits the two simple households in this play … “imagine what they might feel when they put such a topical face to it?” Mary E. MiCari, joining Mr. Michaels in the task of directing this production added “maybe it will impact the generations (who – sadly – have grown accustomed to hearing of strife in the Middle East) in some positive way.”
The production features a cast of vibrant young artists including Michael Raver, Josh Silverman, Tania Asnes, Sarah Hankins, Justin Maruri, Raphael Kasen, Alex Moshofsky, Adam Gutbezahl, Shawn Watson, Mary Riley, Jennifer Gelber, Kenneth L. Naanep, Brittany Bellizeare, Carissa Cordes, Jason Butler, Shaun Orbin, Sarah Leigh Orbin, and Dianna Lora. Translation & traditions within the production managed by Mimi Asnes and Nesreen Mahmoud. The production is designed by Rob Nguyen on lighting, Carla Gant on costumes, and fight choreography by Douglas Castillo.
Genesis Repertory’s mission is to make the classics accessible to new audiences by combining the old and the new. The seven-year-old non-profit arts & education organization endeavors to take classical works and place them in new and unique settings. It operates under the 19 th Century “Actor-Manager” motif so members have the opportunity to grow as professionals in many directions during their stay at Genesis.
