MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies), is the latest from the theater ensemble Waterwell. It’s based on a Eugene O’Neill play, but not a well known one. Broadway.com put it well when they said “If asked to name a Eugene O’Neill play, Marco Millions would hardly be the first off anyone’s tongue.” No kidding.
On the other hand, that’s a smart thing to do. Does New York really need yet another production of Desire Under the Elms? Nothing against that one, or any other O’Neill, but if you’re going to do something, why do what everyone else is doing?
So Waterwell gets points for at least trying something different.
Aside: we freely admit that when reading the title of this show, we said “Huh?” and had to restrain ourselves from drooling like big dummies. Then we actually went and researched it a bit, and found that there have been a lot of nice notices for this piece (they seem to call their shows “drops” rather than, well, shows).
Decide for yourself, and as always, let us know if you see this puppy. Sorry, we mean “drop”. Press release and logo coming…. NOW!
“The show’s concentric circles of jokey anachronism-21st-century performers aping a 1920s version of 13th-century history-form a neat bull’s-eye target for Waterwell’s flurry of arrows.” – TIME OUT NEW YORK
“One of the brightest notes in the theatrical season so far.” – NEW YORK SUN
“An imaginative reimagining. The cast of five forms a top-notch ensemble.” – VARIETY
“As with the company’s The Persians last season, it’s both terrifically funny and pointedly political.” – BACKSTAGE
“What a conglomerate discovery! This quintet not only has abundant talents to be unflaggingly cheeky, but to be bright, creative, and vastly rewarding. The often hilarious meta-theatre event recalls Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill at their youthfully nose-thumbing best.” – THEATERMANIA.COM
WATERWELL’S
CURRENT “DROP”
IS NOW PLAYING OFF-BROADWAY
AT THE LION AT THEATRE ROW
LIMITED ENGAGEMENT ENDS SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
The acclaimed theatre ensemble Waterwell’s current “drop,” MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies), is currently playing at The Lion at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street). The show, which opened on Saturday, August 12, will end its limited engagement on Saturday, August 26.
Adapted from the play by Eugene O’Neill. MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies) is created, written and performed by the ensemble – Hanna Cheek, Rodney Gardiner, Arian Moayed, Tom Ridgely and Kevin Townley. MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies) is directed by Tom Ridgely, features original music by Lauren Cregor and choreography by Lynn Peterson.
Waterwell puts its signature irreverent stamp on Eugene O’Neill’s lesser-known play about the thirteenth century travels of Marco Polo with MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies), the story of a Westerner encountering the East and the collision of cultures and economies that followed.
The company of MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies) also features musicians Lauren Cregor, Gunter Gruner, Jenny Hill, Adam Levine and Joe Morse.
MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies) has set design by Dave Lombard, costume design by Elizabeth Payne, lighting design by Stacey Boggs and sound design by Jessica Paz.
Waterwell was founded in 2001 and has since produced more than 10 productions, most recently the acclaimed production of The Persians . . . a comedy about war with five songs. That production, hailed as “Original, inventive, implausibly funny and entertaining” by The New York Times, “Adorable” by Time Out New York and “Dynamic and hilariously entertaining” by The Village Voice, enjoyed a twice-extended run last summer, first at the Theatre Under St. Marks and then at The Perry Street Theatre. The show also recently received three Independent Theatre (IT) Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Original Music and Outstanding Choreography. Founded in Bloomington, Indiana, Waterwell debuted in New York in 2002 with performances of Lost in Yemen, or The Bizarre Bazaar at Collective: Unconscious. An adaptation of Fuenteovejuna followed in 2003 at the Duplex Cabaret Theater, followed by the original piece Stuck at the Peoples Improv Theater and the double-bill Chill & Serve at the Ground Floor Theatre. In 2004, after touring Chill & Serve around the tri-state area, Waterwell premiered Sweetness & Light at Altered Stages.
Through Saturday, August 26, 2006, MARCO MILLIONS (based on lies) will be performed at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street / between 9th and 10th Avenues). The performance schedule is Monday and Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for are $35 and are available through TicketCentral.com at 212-279-4200.
Please visit www.waterwell.org for more information.
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