An Idiot August 14, 2010

Propinquity Productions presents the World Premiere of "An Idiot", Jeff Tabnick’s modern retelling of Dostoevsky’s "The Idiot", directed by Eric Nightengale, as part of The New York International Fringe Festival – Fringe NYC, a production of The Present Company, from August 14 – 28, 2010 at Venue #3, The Kraine Theater, 85 E. 4th Street (Second Avenue & Bowery), NYC. Performances: Saturday, August 14 at 7:45pm; Sunday, August 15 at 10:45pm; Friday, August 20 at 2pm; Sunday, August 22 at noon; and Saturday, August 28 at 4pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets will be available beginning July 23 at www.fringenyc.org or 1-866-468-7619 and beginning July 31 at FringeCENTRAL, 1 E. 8th Street, NYC.

None of the other characters want to retell the story of "The Idiot" because it’s too horrific, but Prince Myshkin insists this time will be different; this time he will deliver a speech that will save the world.
 
And so begins a darkly comic retelling of Dostoevsky’s novel.  Dropped into modern day America, a land ruled by Christian hypocrites, Prince Myshkin runs for U.S. Senate to promote true Christianity – compassion for all men. As his fame grows, he helps a recovering alcoholic win the love of a socialite/porn star.  But when she falls in love with Myshkin instead, he must teach them to love with compassion before jealousy turns into murder. In the meantime, the prince has opened his apartment to cancer patients and the homeless, however it soon becomes clear that those Myshkin pities feel more spite than gratitude… Can Myshkin hold back the passions, intrigues and resentments brewing in his apartment long enough to give his speech and save the world?

Directed by Eric Nightengale. Scenic Consultant: Scott Aronow. Props: Amanda Stuart. Production Stage Manager: Billie Davis. Assistant Stage Manager: Simone Zwarenstein. Vocal Coach: Nancy Saklad.

Featuring Phil Douglas, Philip Guerette, Emily Hagburg, James Jenner, Jonathan Todd Ross, Toby Wherry, Hollis Witherspoon.

"An Idiot" was originally workshopped at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York in June-July 2010, directed by Joy Brooke Fairfield.