Kate Moira Ryan's Bass for Picasso

NY's Theater Breaking Through Barriers to May 23

By: Bob Fowler - May 01, 2010

Mary Theresa Archbold as Bricka, Terry Small as Kev, Nicholas Viselli as Joe, Felice Neals as Pilar, and Anita Hollander as Francesca. Photos by Carol Rosegg.

Anita Hollander (left) as Francesca and Felice Neals (right) as Pilar

Nicholas Viselli (left) as Joe and Terry Small (right) as Kev

Felice Neals (left) as Pilar and Anita Hollander (right) as Francesca

Terry Small (left) as Kev and Anita Hollander (right) as Francesca

 

Theater Breaking Through Barriers to present world premiere of Kate Moira Ryan's
Bass for Picasso
Directed by Ike Schambelan

Opens Off-Broadway May 2; Performances through May 23 at Kirk Theatre.

Theater Breaking Through Barriers, the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway company known for its productions that integrate able-bodied actors with artists with disabilities, presents the world premiere of Kate Moira Ryan's Bass for Picasso -- a new play about five New Yorkers, including a physically disabled food writer, whose secrets are exposed during a memorable dinner party -- currently in previews with an official press opening set for May 2 at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Ike Schambelan directs.

In Bass for Picasso amputee and food writer for the New York Times Francesca Danieli (Anita Hollander) throws a dinner party for her friends recreating recipes, including the titular entrée, from the
Alice B. Toklas Cookbook.

The guest list includes Pilar (Felice Neals), her multilingual art detective lover, who has spent time in Guantanamo for visa problems; Bricka Matson (Mary Theresa Archbold), a lesbian widow with a small child and Republican in-laws who are trying to gain custody; Joe (Nicholas Viselli), an OB/GYN whose lover is a
geographically challenged crystal meth addict; and Kev (Terry Small), a playwright who has recently fallen off the wagon and written a soon-to-open Off-Broadway play about all of them.

Playwright Kate Moira Ryan is the two-time GLAAD Media Award-winning author of THE BEEBO BRINKER CHRONICLES and 25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER. Her plays also include OTMA, CAVEDWELLER, and IT'S JEWDY'S SHOW!, her most recent collaboration with comedian Judy Gold.

Performances of BASS FOR PICASSO run through May 23 at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre (410 West 42nd Street): Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $41.25. For reservations, call 212-279-4200 or visit. www.ticketcentral.com.

For additional information, visit www.tbtb.org