Early Buzz: The Civilians’ The Great Immensity
The Civilians (Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Show), one of our favorite New York City-based theater companies, will present The Great Immensity, a New York premiere at The Public Theater in April as part of the Public Lab, meaning it is a work-in-progress and the tickets are only $20. The Civilians define their work as “investigative theater.” They address under-explored social issues and incorporate substantial research into their development process.
In The Great Immensity, The Civilians tackle climate change and society’s reaction to it. They describe the show as a “continent-hoping thriller” focused on Phyllis, a woman whose husband disappears from a tropical island. During her search for him, she uncovers a scandal related to an upcoming international environmental summit. The production incorporates film and video projections and original songs.
The Great Immensity was written and directed by Steve Cosson, the founder and artistic director of The Civilians, and the music is by Michael Friedman, who also wrote the music for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and last summer’s Love’s Labour’s Lost at Shakespeare in the Park.
To encourage engagement on the issue of climate change, The Civilians also created a website about environmental issues inspired by the production. Characters from The Great Immensity share stories and information on the site. Visit thegreatimmensity.org to learn more.
TICKETS
$20 (click here for tickets)
DATES
April 11-May 1, 2014
LOCATION
Martinson Hall, The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
2 hours 20 minutes, 1 intermission
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written and directed by Steve Cosson
Songs by Michael Friedman
Featuring Damian Baldet, Cindy Cheung, Dan Domingues, Rebecca Hart, Trey Lyford, Chris Sullivan, Erin Wilhelmi
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The Civilians: The Great Immensity