Theater for the New City is gearing up to present a tour of its summer street theater show that mixes spectacle, gigantic puppets and dozens of performers along with trap doors to be staged free at locations across New York City.
Playwright/director and TNC Artistic Director Crystal Field is presenting Checks and Balances or Bottoms Up! a musical being performed by TNC’s Street Theater Company.
The show about a New York City student who becomes aware of and then takes on problems around her will tour New York City streets, parks and playgrounds in free performances throughout all five boroughs August 5 to September 17.
Field wrote the book and lyrics and Joseph A. Banks wrote the score for this show about a young New York City school girl who learns to fight against the “forces of tyranny, prejudice and hatred.”
Along the way, she takes audiences on a tour that ranges from song to slapstick to serious subject matter in the annual incarnation of TNC’s summer street theater program through which TNC has presented a new musical each year since 1976.
A company of 28 actors, ten crew members, two assistant directors, two stage managers and five musicians led by the composer at the keyboard present this midsummer day’s musical.
The family friendly show also includes a walking and dancing Statue of Liberty, immigrants from all over the world, a fake news ballet with women dressed in newsprint, a giant Statue of Liberty puppet and the Spirit of Donald Trump apparition that rises above the stage as its two arms-envelope the stage.
The theater said the production will be staged with an “elaborate assemblage of trap doors, giant puppets, smoke machines, masks, original choreography and a 9 foot by 12 foot running screen” providing continuous movement behind the actors.
The show is being presented by Theater for the New City (www.theaterforthenewcity.net) free to the public. Audience info (212) 254-1109.
SCHEDULE (AS OF JUNE 29, SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Sat, August 5 – 2PM – Manhattan – TNC, East 10th Street at 1st Avenue
Sun, August 6 – 2PM – Bronx – St. Mary’s Park at 147th St. & St. Ann’s Ave
Sat, August 12 – 2PM – Manhattan – Tompkins Square Park, E. 7th St and Ave. A
Sun, August 13 – 2PM – Manhattan – Central Park Bandshell, 72nd Street Crosswalk
Fri, August 18 – 6:30PM – Brooklyn – Coney Island Boardwalk at W. 10th St.
Sat, August 19 – 2PM – Brooklyn – Herbert Von King Park at Marcy & Tompkins
Sun, August 20 – 2PM – Harlem – Jackie Robinson Park, W. 147th Street & Bradhurst Avenue
Sat, August 26 – 2PM – Queens – Travers Park, 34th Ave between 77th & 78th Streets
Sun, August 27 – 2PM – Brooklyn – Sunset Park, 6th Avenue & 44th Street
Sat, September 9 – 2PM – Manhattan – Washington Square Park
Sun, September 10 – 2PM – Manhattan – Wise Towers at W. 90th St. betw. Columbus & Amsterdam
Sat, September 16 – 2PM – Staten Island – Corporal Thompson Park at Broadway & Wayne St.
Sun, September 17 – 2PM – Manhattan – St. Marks Church, E. 10th St at 2nd Ave
