THEATER BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS
presents
The New York Premiere of
directed by Ike Schambelan
April 17 – May 17, 2009
Wed & Thu at 7pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sat & Sun at 3pm
A Nervous Smile is the final, most powerful play by John Belluso, a wonderful playwright with a disability who passed away tragically more than two years ago, on the cusp of a promising career. In the play, the wealthy parents of a girl severely disabled with cerebral palsy are strained to the breaking point by the burden of caring for their daughter. With a friend whose son also has CP, they decide to leave the burden of their children and fly off to South America and Europe. The play presents the consequences of their actions in a taut, riveting, fierce yet funny 80 minutes.
A Nervous Smile premiered at the Humana Festival in Louisville and The New York Times called it “Provocative… honest, funny and compassionate.” The Louisville Courier-Journal said that the play “brings a fresh, honest perspective and a surprising amount of humor to the emotionally difficult subject.”
TBTB presented John Belluso’s The Rules Of Charity in the spring of 2007, which The New York Times called “a dark, scalding play [in] a sharp New York premiere.”
“An extraordinary troupe designed to defy expectations.” The New York Times
“One of the most enjoyable companies in the country.” The New York Post
“Long purveyors of quality drama.” The Village Voice
“Poignant and powerful” – TheaterMania.com
“A smartly crafted, tersely told tale lasting little more than 70 minutes... an interesting edge of dark, absurdist humor... brisk pacing and well-etched performances... give the story engrossing credibility.” – Back Stage
“A compact John Belluso play being given its New York premiere at the Kirk by Theater Breaking Through Barriers, explores this dark side of caretaking with an honesty as commendable as it is brutal.” – The New York Times
“A handsome display, full of fine production value and nuanced detail. Ike Schambelan's direction keeps his cast of four active and physically engaged, using well an elegant set by Bert Scott. ... Marilee Talkington offers an emotionally grounded, generous performance as Nic, and Melanie Boland is endearing and amusing as Blanka.” – nytheatre.com
“Illuminating… Ms. Talkington… handles the job adeptly. And Melanie Boland offers a delicious turn.” – The New York Times
The Kirk, Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street, west of Ninth Avenue, NYC
Tickets: $41.25 call 212-279-4200
or
Low-vision patrons are invited onstage to explore the set 30 minutes before curtain. Call 212-243-4337 to let us know if you want a tour.
Open captioned performance on Saturday, May 2 at 3pm.
Tickets $21.25 with code OPEN.
New York State Council on the Arts
Theater By The Blind is a participant in the New Generations Program, funded by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization of the American theatre.
