“Three One Acts by Mrozek” - Three Nights Only - Presented by La MaMa E.T.C. in Association with Pace University Performing Arts (Students, Alumni, Faculty) March 19, 2010

Three Nights Only

Alienation (Enchanted Evening), abuse of power (Out to Sea) and the limitations of human freedom under a totalitarian system (Serenade) are the telling themes of three of the most popular plays by Polish dramatist Slavomir Mrozek.

For Enchanted Night Director Ruis Woertendyke, Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Pace University, the return to Ellen Stewart’s La MaMA is a homecoming of sorts. A La Mama baby of the late 1970s and early 1980s, his work as a playwright was showcased there, namely Brothers and Sisters, Love and Junk, American Babies, along with his collaborations with Felix Montez – Slow Poison, Small Fires. Woertendyke will be joined during this limited run by his Pace colleagues: Grant Kretchik, Director of BFA Acting Program, and Cosmin Chivu, Acting and Theater Arts Adjunct Faculty.

Each evening will consist of these three one-act plays by Mrozek:

• ENCHANTED NIGHT - two business men spend the night together in a hotel while on a conference. They are visited by a beautiful young woman but don't know which of them she has come for . . . or is she real at all and maybe this is a dream and what are you doing in my dream? A night they'll both try to forget. This comically provocative one-act is underscored by the band playing downstairs, the passing train, and a squeaky bed. Directed by Ruis Woertendyke and featuring Grant Kretchik (appears courtesy of Actors Equity), Jon Gabrielson, Lilah Shreeve

• OUT AT SEA - a story of the selfish, savvy and eager. Stranded at sea three characters take a surreal journey when they are forced to decide how to survive. Campaigning, elections, and scandal all give way to sacrifices for the greater good. The human need for a sense of purpose and legacy can create quiet an appetite. Directed by Grant Kretchik and featuring Kristen Vaphides, Julie Robles, Dorothy James Loechel, Matt Alford, Ruis Woertendyke

• SERENADE- tells the story of Fox, a natural born killer with a conscience. He attempts to seduce the Hens of a local henhouse, under the beak of an overprotective Rooster. Directed by Cosmin Chivu and featuring Chris Azzara, Steve Lesce, Chelsea Roe, Kehinde Koyejo, Talitha Custer, George Robson, Giacomo Rocchini

All three one-act plays feature Set Design by Gian Marco Loforte, Live Music by George Robson and Sound Design by Scott O'Brien.