When in Rome...

Not much time to write at the moment, but just a quick post to let the few and faithful know that I've arrived safely in Roma. It's truly 'fantastico'. I'm just about adjusted to the time difference (and it doesn't hurt that we stay up until 4 am). Rehearsals for 'The Aeneid' are going incredibly well and the actors are really committed to the project in a way no American actor I know would be. We're rehearsing/performing in an pre-Roman burial site and what most would consider a drawback, we have turned into the most remarkable perofrmance space imaginable (and we having even added the fire pits in yet). In only a mater of a few days, I've learned and experienced more as a director than I have in the past year. I may never come home (though I promised to come back for rehearsals for 'Tejas Verdes 2 - Revenge of the American Translation'. Ciao.

Workshop Photos

Ana - Romania

Matteo - Italy

Indy - Hong Kong

A (sort of) Review by the Times

'Theater's Alternative Universe'
By Ginia Bellafante
The New York Times
18 August 2007

"...making the production among the festival’s most winning history lessons.

Bucharest Calling, a drama about young people confronting limited opportunity in the post-Communist world, easily qualifies as another. Written by Peca Stefan and directed by Ana Margineanu (Romanians who are also behind a second offering at the festival, The Sunshine Play), the production makes excellent use of its spare surroundings.

...the bleak theater in which Bucharest is set serves it well, supplementing the play’s mood of despondence and emotional claustrophobia. The actors work simply, with a few chairs and grim images of Bucharest streets projected on a screen behind them.

Bucharest Calling reminds us that the Fringe is international in its scope."

The Reviews Are In

The US Premiere of Bucharest Calling by Peca Stefan, being presented in association with THALATTA! this summer at Fringe NYC, is getting fantastic reviews. Be sure to check out our last two performances at 45 Bleecker on Saturday, August 18th @ 10pm and Sunday, August 19th @ Noon. Also, come out and see our other production by Peca Stefan called The Sunshine Play, winner of Best Play (Relationship Drama) at the London Fringe last year, on Tuesday, August 21st @ 3:30pm, Thursday, August 23rd @ 7pm and Saturday, August 25th @ Noon.

"A fully realized staging of an innovative play, Bucharest Calling is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys quality Off-Off-Broadway theater."
-Valerie Work
OffOffOnline

"Bucharest Calling brings a fresh, welcome voice to the festival."
-Irene Backalenick
Backstage 'Pick'

"With coincidences worthy of Dickens and irony that brings to mind O. Henry."
-Andy Propst
American Theater Web

"A welcome import from Romania, The Sunshine Play takes place on a Bucharest rooftop as three people almost get involved in a love triangle. It's a slight but smart piece, sparked by an appealing cast and well-honed direction by Ana Margineanu. Playwright Peca Stefan...shows a masterful command of American idiom plus an effortless way with what might be called Romanian rooftop romantic comedy."

-Ron Cohen
Backstage 'Pick'

Back on Attack

Sorry to have been away so long. For some reason, 'Blogger' tagged us as a Spam Blog and froze the account. I've been trying for close to a month to get them to restore it, and after a number of emails, they finally have. So much to catch y'all up on. Certainly more to come.