New York University Research Guides - Theatre & Performance Studies

Prof. Carlson's Tip Sheet

Marvin A. Carlson, Distinguished Professor
(Graduate Center) Ph.D.in Drama and Theatre, Cornell University. The Sidney E. Cohn Distinguished Professor of Theatre, Comparative Literature and Middle Eastern Studies. His research and teaching interests include dramatic theory and Western European theatre history and dramatic literature, especially of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. He has been awarded the ATHE Career Achievement Award, the George Jean Nathan Prize, the Bernard Hewitt prize, the George Freedley Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He has been a Walker-Ames Professor at the University of Washington, a Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies at Indiana University, a Visiting Professor at the Freie Universitat of Berlin, and a Fellow of the American Theatre. In 2005 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Athens. His best-known book, Theories of the Theatre (Cornell University Press, 1993), has been translated into seven languages. His 2001 book, The Haunted Stage won the Calloway Prize. His newest book, Speaking in Tongues, was published by the University of Michigan Press in 2006.

PROF. CARLSON’S TIP SHEET

Marvin's Tip Sheet

September 17, 2009

The best introduction to upcoming work in the New York experimental scene is the Segal Center Prelude, at the Graduate Center September 30th-October 3rd. For a full listing of the free events, check the website at www.preludenyc.org. 365 Fifth Avenue.

The Metropolitan Playhouse, specializing in early works of the American theatre, opens its 2009-2010 season most appropriately with the first play by an American author to be professionally produced, Royall Tyler’s 1787 The Contrast. 220 East 4th St. Tel. 212-995-8410.

Another American classic will kick off the season at the Irish Repertory Theatre, Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones, starring John Douglas Thompson. Tix $65 and $55. 132 West 22 St. Tel. 212-727-2737.

I am not sure of the wisdom of naming a company The Fiasco Theater, but at least it is memorable. (the company is made up of six recent graduates of the Brown/Trinity program). In any case, they are offering Shakespeare’s challenging Cymbeline at the access Theatre September 27th to October 2nd. Tix. $18. 380 Broadway (at White). Tel 212-868-4444.

American Theatre of Actors launches its 34th season with a production of The Merchant of Venice set out of doors in the 1930s. September 16th thru 26th. Tix. $15. Tel. 212-868-4444.

Days and Nights, two short plays adapted from Chekhov short stories by Byungkoo Ahn, will run September 17th thru October 4th at La Mama. Tix. $25. 74A east 4th St. Tel 212-475-7710.

A revival of Marc Blizstein’s famous satire, The Cradle will Rock, is being offered at the Bleecker Street theatre September 21st thru 24th. Tix. $20. 45 Bleecker St. Tel. 800-838-3006.

If you are interested in some of the possibilities of “post-theatre,” you might look into the work of a group by that name of Japanese artists based in Berlin who create interactive performance based on live video, dance, text and real food (how post can one get?) Their heavenly BENTO ,this weekend at the Japan Center, deals with the epic journey of the founders of SONY in creating an international electronics conglomerate. Tix $20. 333 East 47 St. Tel 212-715-1258. Tix $20, $15 for students. October 1st - November 1st.

Karen Finley, one of the city’s most controversial performance artists, has created a new solo show based on the career of Jacqueline Kennedy. The site-specific performance will take place September 19th-October 24th at the Country Club, 248 West 14th St. Tix. $20. Tel 212-352-3101.

Despite the threat of fall, free outdoor performances in Central Park continue. Now comes Life on a Desert Island, a dramatic retelling of the Robinson Crusoe story by theatre Playground. Saturdas and Sundays at 4:30 p.m, September 20th-27th. 103 St. and Central Park West. Tel 646-964-7007.

Shakespearian researcher John Hudson continues his lonely campaign to demonstrate that the Bard’s plays were actually written by an Elizabethan Jewess by staging a selection of what he considers to be anti-Virgi Mary spoofs embedded in the canon. If you really need a fresh look at Shakespeare, how can you beat The Virgin Mary Parodies, playing at Where Eagles Dare Theatre thru Sept. 30. Tix. $15. 347 West 36 St. Tel 212-769-9537.

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