Now Showing: Access 2008

"The vigorous Mr. Taratula is a committed, winning performer whose poison darts bear traces of sympathy…Mr. Taratula comments on the pervasiveness of secrecy for performers in same-sex relationships. But his larger targets are the insecurity of actors and the desperate, delirious excesses of Hollywood spirituality." –Andy Webster, New York Times

"An hourlong one-man tour de force … Taratula the performer, under Matt McGrath's direction, has a terrific conviction that sells the comedy and absurdity of Heche's life … Call Me Anne reveals a talented writer and performer who has a gift ..."
-Mark Peikert, Backstage

Taratula is brilliantly gifted and you really should come and see him before he's whisked away to stardom of some sort. There are just so many little moments in the performance that shine … he plays a bunch of parts flawlessly and nailed Heche perfectly...but it's the little things that Taratula does right."  –Matthew Freeman, On Theatre and Politics
 

Access Theater's SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Sept. 3 - 21, 2008 

The Access Theater Spotlight Series debuted this September, presenting three original works chosen from the over two hundred shows that premiered at this year's New York International Fringe Festival. 

The three pieces were TUNE UP, FAULTY PISTON! (conceived and directed by Andrew Scoville with collaborators from The Centrifuge); KANSAS CITY OR ALONG THE WAY (written by Robert Attenweiler and directed by Joe Stipek for Disgraced Productions); and BIG THICK ROD (written by Stanton Wood and directed by Edward Elefterion for Rabbit Hole Ensemble).

Each invited participant was awarded exclusive use of Access Theater's sixty seat Black Box Theater for one week and a modest supplemental cash stipend.  Integrity of vision, strength of script,  promise of potential, and professionalism of ensemble  all contributed to each company's selection to this inaugural event.

The Access Theater, (in Tribeca at 380 Broadway at White Street), has a fifteen year history of producing new work for theater and for supporting New York-based theater organizations. It will host each producing organization for a one week, five-show extension of its initial run.  Each grant includes use of the Access's facilities and resources for performance, as well as ample use of the Access space for the daily experimenting, discovery, editing, and fine-tuning that is the essence of this Development Grant.

Performance schedules was as follows:

TUNE UP, FAULTY PISTON, produced by The Centrifuge
Wednesday, September 3 – Sunday, September 7, 2008. All shows 8pm

KANSAS CITY OR ALONG THE WAY, produced by Disgraced Productions
Wednesday, September 10 – Sunday, September 14, 2008. All shows 8pm

BIG THICK ROD, produced by Rabbit Hole Ensemble
Wednesday, September 17 – Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 9pm
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 7pm