News
MULTI-UPDATES - JUNE 24, 2008
There are lots of exciting things happening so here are the updates:
This Friday and Saturday, June 27 & 28th, Spinning will be produced at Fabrefaction Theatre Company™ in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here is a synopsis of Spinning :
How well do we really know the people who are closest to us?
When life-time best friends and current roommates, Casey and Jack, spontaneously sleep together, their conflicting reactions to it cause their relationship and worlds to start unraveling. Shocked by the revelation of a long-kept secret and without a best friend to confide in for the first time, Casey and Jack's raw emotions become unmanageable and begin to threaten every aspect of their lives.
Showtimes:
Friday, June 27th, 8pm
Saturday, June 28th, 2pm
Saturday, June 28th, 8pm
Location:
925 Bowen St, Atlanta, GA 30318 (by Georgia Tech)
Tickets are $10. Further information and reservations are available on Fabrefaction Theatre Company's™ website.
Next, when Because of Beth won third prize in the 2007 Pen and Brush Playwriting Contest, it was eligible to be published in the 2009 Pen and Brush Anthology. I have just received confirmation that it will, in fact, be published. In addition, the script will be receive a reading in a NYC-based backers' audition, date TBD.
And, finally, I am pleased to announce a new page on my website called Responses . This includes audience and industry responses to performances of my work. Feel free to send me your thoughts about performances of my scripts and you, too, might be included on that page!
Happy Summer! See you at the theater!
Elana Gartner
BREAKING NEWS! - MAY 29, 2008
About a minute after I posted about the upcoming production of Spinning , I received an email notifying me that Because of Beth has received third prize in the Pen and Brush Playwriting Contest! There will be a NYC reading forthcoming.
See you at the theater!
Elana Gartner
WORLD PREMIERE OF "SPINNING" - MAY 29, 2008
In one month, my script, Spinning , will be playing its world premiere at Fabrefaction Theatre Company™ in Atlanta, Georgia, as the winner of their New Works 2008 Festival.
Here is a synopsis of Spinning :
How well do we really know the people who are closest to us?
When life-time best friends and current roommates, Casey and Jack, spontaneously sleep together, their conflicting reactions to it cause their relationship and worlds to start unraveling. Shocked by the revelation of a long-kept secret and without a best friend to confide in for the first time, Casey and Jack's raw emotions become unmanageable and begin to threaten every aspect of their lives.
Here are the dates and times for the shows:
Friday, June 27th, 8pm
Saturday, June 28th, 2pm
Saturday, June 28th, 8pm
Location:
925 Bowen St, Atlanta, GA 30318 (by Georgia Tech)
Tickets are $10. Further information and reservations are available on Fabrefaction Theatre Company's™ website.
See you at the theater in Atlanta!
Elana Gartner
"SPINNING" GOES TO ATLANTA! - APRIL 14, 2008
My script, Spinning , was the winner of Fabrefaction Theatre Company's™ 2008 New Works Festival! As a result, it will be receiving a full production June 27-28 in Atlanta.
I will have more information about this shortly but if anyone is expecting to be in the area at that time or wants to take a trip down to Atlanta, I would love to have you in the audience!
See you at the theater!
Elana Gartner
"ERNIE EVAN" THIS SUNDAY! - FEBRUARY 7, 2008
Coming up this Sunday, my script Ernie Evan will be a part of 4th Meal Productions' 6x10: A Reading of New Short Plays.
The Trouble With Charles-Sam Allingham
The Box-Sarah-Violet Bliss
Ernie Evan-Elana Gartner
Soldiers in the Winter Night-Ian Grody
Trash Talkers-Andrew Mooney
Dry-Emily Weiss
Synopsis of Ernie Evan:
Sixty seven year old sailor Ernie Evan is frightened when his long-dead mother visits him in a dream and tells him that he must marry. Set in the late 1800's.
Sunday, February 10th, 8pm.
The Manhattan Theater Club Creative Center
311 West 43rd Street, 8th Floor
$10 suggested donation (donations go to the upcoming production of Maggie Keenan-Bolger's new play)
See you at the theater!
Elana Gartner
"BETH" CLOSES, "ERNIE EVAN" NEXT - January 24, 2008
Thank you to everyone who came to see Because of Beth. We had a great run and received some positive feedback from our audiences. There are pictures of the show now available on this website, both on the Because of Beth page as well on the Photos page.
In two weeks, my script Ernie Evan, a ten-minute show, will be a part of 4th Meal Productions' 6x10: A Reading of Six New Short Plays. Directors, actors and playwrights will meet that morning and will perform pieces that evening for an audience. The show will take place at:
The Manhattan Theater Club's Creative Center
311 West 43rd Street, 8th Floor
Sunday, February 10, 8pm.
$10 suggested donation (will benefit Maggie Keenan-Bolger's upcoming production of "From Inside, Out")
Hope to see you there!
Elana Gartner
FINAL WEEK OF BECAUSE OF BETH! - January 16, 2008
We have had a wonderful first week with enthusiastic audiences and a great response! Have you bought your tickets yet? You only have 6 performances left to see the dynamic cast of Because of Beth take the stage at the Workshop Theater's Mainstage.
Wednesday, January 16 8pm (Saint Ann's Night. All welcome. Talkback session post-show)
Thursday, January 17 8pm (Oliver Wyman group attending. All welcome)
Friday, January 18 8pm
Saturday, January 19 2pm
Saturday, January 19 8pm
Sunday, January 20 2pm FINAL SHOW!
312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor (btwn. 8th and 9th Aves)
Directed by Clara Barton Green
Fabulous cast:
Hyosun Choi, David Douglas*, Susan Graham, George Raboni, Elizbaeth Ruelas
Stage manager: Amanda Cynkin
Set Designer: Sean Tribble
Lighting Designer: Solomon Weisbard
Tickets available at:Smarttix
$18 General Admission$15 with Student ID
Thank you to everyone who has already attended! Your enthusiasm has been so inspiring. Without all of you, we're just artists sitting in a room by ourselves. Thank you for helping us bring our art to life! Please feel free to send feedback about the show!!
See you at the theater! Elana Gartner
*Courtesy of Actor's Equity. This is an Equity Approved Showcase.
Because of Beth Previews Tonight, Opens FRIDAY! - January 9, 2008
We're all ready to welcome you to the Workshop Theater's Mainstage for our production of Because of Beth!
TONIGHT! Wednesday, January 9th, 7:30pm
FIRST PREVIEW! Be the first to see the WORLD PREMIERE!
Tomorrow night! Thursday, January 10th, 7:30pm
Join us for a talkback after the show!
OPENING NIGHT! Friday, January 11th, 8pm
Join us for an opening night party after the show at a nearby bar!
A rundown of the dates again:
Wed., Jan. 9-7:30pm (preview)
Thurs., Jan. 10-7:30pm (preview and Oberlin Night. All welcome. Talk back session after the show)
Friday, Jan. 11-8pm (Opening Night with post-show party)
Saturday, Jan. 12-2pm
Saturday, Jan. 12-8pm
Sunday, Jan. 13-2pm
Wednesday, Jan. 16-8pm (Saint Ann's Night. All welcome. Talk back session after the show)
Thursday, Jan. 17-8pm
Friday, Jan. 18-8pm
Saturday, Jan. 19-2pm
Saturday, Jan. 19-8pm
Sunday, Jan. 20-2pm (Closing)
Tickets available at Smarttix ($18 or $15 with Student ID)
The Workshop Theater is located at 312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor.
Get your tickets soon! They're going very quickly!
See you at the theater!
Elana Gartner
One Week Until We Open! (and MORE great news!) -
January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
As the confetti gets swept up and our party hats lie askew from our New Year's celebrations, we turn our attention to January.
My play, Because of Beth, opens in one week! (just one week!) Come see the fabulous performances of Hyosun Choi, David Douglas*, Susan Graham, George Raboni, and Elizabeth Ruelas with dynamic direction by Clara Barton Green! You'll see sets from Sean Tribble, lights from Solomon Weisbard and stage management from Amanda Cynkin. Along with producer Michael Roderick of Small Pond Entertainment, we have an incredibly talented and hard-working cast and crew ready to bring you a phenomenal show!
Here are the performance dates so you can coordinate with friends and family:
Wed., Jan. 9-7:30pm (preview)
Thurs., Jan. 10-7:30pm (preview and Oberlin Night. All welcome. Talk back session after the show)
Friday, Jan. 11-8pm (Opening Night with post-show party)
Saturday, Jan. 12-2pm
Saturday, Jan. 12-8pm
Sunday, Jan. 13-2pm
Wednesday, Jan. 16-8pm (Saint Ann's Night. All welcome. Talk back session after the show)
Thursday, Jan. 17-8pm
Friday, Jan. 18-8pm
Saturday, Jan. 19-2pm
Saturday, Jan. 19-8pm
Sunday, Jan. 20-2pm (Closing)
Tickets are selling fast! Get yours at Smarttix.
In other exciting news, I will have ANOTHER show going up on February 10th, as soon as this one closes! Ernie Evan, a ten-minute one man show, has been accepted as part of 4th Meal Productions' 12 Hour Festival. Directors, playwrights and actors will meet that morning and the 6 plays will be performed in readings that evening at the Manhattan Theater Club's Creative Center. More information to come.
Hope you all have a magnificent and healthy 2008!
See you at the show!
Elana Gartner
*This an Equity Approved Showcase.
Buy Your Tickets Before the Holidays - December 17, 2007
Happy Holidays, everyone! Here's a little holiday song about our upcoming show Because of Beth:
A Playwright's Christmas
On the twelfth day of rehearsals, my director gave to me:
Twelve nights of shows
Eleven ticket sales
Ten notes for lighting
Nine props for actors
Eight cues for sound
Seven critics coming
Six days till load-in
FIVE CAST MEMBERS!
Four tech and crew
Three set pieces
Two co-producers
And an awesome production for all!
Needless to say, the cast and crew of Because of Beth is in rehearsals working (on all of these things) to present an exciting and moving production to you in January!
Still stuck for what to give someone for the holidays? How about some tickets to a show? Think you might forget to get tickets after your fabulous New Year's Eve? Buy them now while your head is still clear! Rudolph, the Maccabees and the elves are already selling tickets at Smarttix.
Here's a reminder of the performance dates with a note to special performances:
January 9, 7:30pm -Preview
January 10, 7:30pm-Preview (this performance is also an Oberlin Night and will include a talk back session with the playwright, director and cast after the show)
January 11, 8pm-OPENING NIGHT
January 12, 2pm and 8pm
January 13, 2pm
January 16, 8pm (this performance is also a Saint Ann's Night and will include a talk back session with the playwright, director and cast after the show)
January 17, 8pm
January 18, 8pm
January 19, 2pm and 8pm
January 20, 2pm CLOSING SHOW
Again, tickets are available at Smarttix ($18 or $15 with student ID). You can read about the play itself at my website at www.elanagartner.com
The show will be at:
The Workshop Theater's Mainstage
312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor
If you are interested in contributing to the show, you can do so at my website through PayPal or you can contact me about where to send a check. (elana@elanagartner.com)
We are looking forward to ringing in 2008 with you at our show!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Elana Gartner
*This is an Equity approved showcase.
Tickets on Sale and Updates - November 19, 2007
The tickets for Because of Beth are officially on sale at Smarttix! Tickets are $18 and $15 with student ID.
Here's the press blurb:
In the aftermath of Beth’s death, all those she loved, including her feuding daughters, her estranged ex-husband and her overwhelmed fiancé, seek to mourn her in their own way. Instead, however, they are forced to deal with one another and the complicated ties that bind them together because of Beth.
An emotional and moving drama and a finalist in the Open Book 2007 Playwriting Competition, Because of Beth explores the post-death experiences for the living when secrets are fresh, plentiful and powerful.
There will be a special Oberlin College night (probably Thursday, January 10th, watch for announcements on the NYC listserv) which will include a session with me, the cast (Hyosun Choi, David Douglas*, Susan Graham, George Raboni, Elizabeth Ruelas) and possibly the director (Clara Barton Green) after the show.
Our entire team (including stage manager Amanda Cynkin) is working hard to present an exciting and engaging performance for you.
Coming up on December 1st is our next fundraiser at Ceres Gallery (547 West 27th Street, Suite 201) from 7-11pm. There will be raffles, silent auction, appetizers and drink. For questions about the fundraiser or to RSVP, please contact me at elana@elanagartner.com.
If you are unable to make it but are still interested in donating, you can donate through my website using PayPal or contact me for a snail mail address.
Thank you to those of you who have already donated! You are helping to make theater possible.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Elana Gartner
*Actor appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. Equity Showcase code pending.
Upcoming Events! - October 27, 2007
Because of Beth has been cast! Yay! Here is the wonderful cast:
Hyosun Choi
David Douglas*
Elizabeth Ruelas
George Raboni
Susan Graham
Congratulations to these actors and to all of the actors who went through the auditions and callbacks! The decision was extremely difficult in such a talented pool.
Many people have asked me when the performances are so I am including this information here. The show will be at the Workshop Theater's Mainstage at 312 West 36th Street.
Previews: Jan. 9 and Jan. 10, 7:30pm
Performances: Jan. 11, 8pm
Jan. 12, 2pm & 8pm
Jan. 13, 2pm
Jan. 16, 8pm
Jan. 17, 8pm
Jan. 18, 8pm
Jan. 19, 2pm & 8pm
Jan. 20, 2pm
BUT!! Before that, we will be having a few fundraisers to make sure we can pay for the show!
On November 7, 2007, we will be at the Irish Rogue, 356 West 44th Street from 6-11:30pm. We have the whole second floor. There will be a raffle and good eats, a pool table and a dart board as well as good company.
On December 1, 2007, we will be at Ceres Gallery, 547 West 27th Street, from 7-11pm. There will be a raffle, silent auction, good eats.
All funds raised through these events will go directly to the production of "Because of Beth".
You can also donate to the production through my website using PayPal or you can contact me and say "Hey, I don't like PayPal, how do I contribute to your production anyway?"
Thanks for being so excited and asking lots of questions about the progress of the show. We look forward to giving you a great night of theater!
Happy Halloween!
Elana Gartner
*Actor appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. Equity Showcase code pending.
Because of Beth Auditions and Performance Info - October 1, 2007
Because of Beth will be going up in performance at the Workshop Theater between January 9-20. Specific performance dates to be determined.
There will be two fundraisers coming up (and I'm currently looking for space so if anyone has some, give me a shout!).
Please forward this information to appropriate actors:
SMALL POND ENTERTAINMENT in conjunction with playwright Elana Gartner is casting the New York premiere of her OPEN BOOK playwriting competition finalist drama, Because of Beth. Clara Barton Green, dir.; Michael Roderick and Elana Gartner prods. Rehearses: Nov. 28 - Jan 8 (No rehearsal's Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1). Runs: Jan. 9-20 at The Workshop Theater.
Seeking:
Cara: Female, 23 years old. Self-involved, viewed as irresponsible by her family members, from whom she is somewhat estranged, she has a soft spot for her sister that she rarely shows. She harbors unresolved anger issues which cause her to be emotionally volatile.
Penny: Adult Female to play believable, 15 years old. Cara's younger sister. Ambitious, a budding violinist, she is lost and confused by recent events, she wants to be independent and seeks and craves a better relationship with those not in her familial ties. She can be quite blunt and direct in trying to get what she wants.
Stanley: Male. (Mid to late 40's). A caring man, he is Beth's Long-term fiancé' and occupies the role of would be stepfather of Cara and Penny. Distraught, tired, deeply sorrowful his usual clear and grounded judgment is cloudy.
Robert: Male. (Mid to late 40's). Long-lost father of Penny and Cara. Repressed. Selfish, a "me" person to the max but can turn on the charm when he wants to get something; he is unable to heal old wounds. When pushed he has the same emotionally volatile temper of his daughter.
Also seeking: Stage Manager/role of WAITRESS/WAITER: Any Age. A male or female can play this role.
Auditions will be held by appointment. To schedule an appt., mail headshots/resumes by October 10, 2007, to:
Small Pond Entertainment
Re: Beth Casting
217 Thompson St, Apt 20
New York, NY 10012
You will be contacted at a future time for an audition. Prepare a brief contemporary monologue, no longer than 3 minutes. Sides will be provided for those who are called back. Auditions will be held on: Wednesday, October 17. Call backs on: Thursday, October 18.
Some stipend possible. All ethnicities STRONGLY encouraged to submit. Producer plans to apply for Equity NYC Showcase Code. Equity/Non-Equity Performers.
Elana Gartner
End of Summer 2007 Update - September 14, 2007
Hey everyone! Thanks for signing up to receive announcements from my new website! This is the first announcement going out and there is already a bit of news to share.
As you may or may not have noticed, my play Because of Beth was a finalist in the Open Book 2007 Playwriting Competition this summer.
There has been a lot of interest in this script and I have decided to showcase it at the end of the fall. I'm currently working with a director to pull together the logistics and hope to be holding auditions soon (let your fellow actors know!).
Stay tuned for more!
Elana Gartner
Launch of ElanaGartner.com - August 16, 2007
Playwright Elana Gartner is proud to announce the launch of her new website, http://www.elanagartner.com. Please explore it and learn about Elana's work.
As part of the website, there is an announcement list that you are being invited to subscribe to. Announcements will inform you about upcoming Elana's upcoming shows or readings or about awards that she has won.
If you would like to add a different email address for yourself, you can go to the website and sign up. As well, if there are others who you think would be interested in receiving announcements, please direct them to my website.
Thank you! Enjoy the site!
Elana Gartner
