Phoebe's New Production Opens At Theatre For The New City: November 29-December 15

Queen Elizabeth I in her throne room at Hampton Court Palace.

Shakespeare and Elizabeth I:  The Realty Show 
by Phoebe Legere
Book, Music and Lyrics by Phoebe Legere
Directed by Zen Mansley
 Shakespeare and Elizabeth I: The Reality Show is a new musical comedy about love, war, espionage and creative genius. Opens November 29th at Theater for the New City!

Featuring: Phoebe Legere, Rhys Tivey, Zen Mansley, Haley Sullivan, Michael La Porta, Janette Johnston, Ben Reno

Catherine Turocy of The New York Baroque Dance Co is choreographing the period dances, costumes by Jennifer Anderson, Music by Phoebe Legere, Set, props and special effects by Phoebe Legere and Zen Mansley, Lighting Design by Alexander Bartenieff.

King Philip of Spain, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and Queen Elizabeth I discussing foreign policy 

 

 The Play looks like a Phoebe Legere painting come to life: the play takes place in the late sixteenth century. The characters are elegantly dressed courtiers, scientists, artists, intellectuals, poets and ladies of Elizabeth I’s Court. Dancing, Singing, Shakespearean acting, love-making, Fencing, a play within a play, gender disruption, opulent costumes, gorgeous melodies and hilarious, Legere humor takes place throughout the show. 

The Lower East Side’s most fabulous blond has been transformed into England’s most powerful redhead…Legere as Elizabeth I is showing off her famous hourglass chassis in costumes on loan from the Cloisters Medieval Collection, switching from RP British pronunciation to Loisaida Yiddish in a nano second.

Maestro Legere is shredding on her Lute, tickling the Virginals, and bringing down the house with her larger than life 4 octave range and hit songs. Rhys Tivey is Robert Dudley, her aristocratic, trumpet tooting heartthrob, showing off his shapely legs to perfection in gold tights and pantaloons. Zen Mansley, best known for his award winning work on the Teengage Ninja Turtles, turns in stellar performances in 5 roles, as William Shakespeare, a small time glove salesman and minor actor; Dr. Dee, Witch #2, the high school teacher, and Bitchy Woman of the Court. 

“It's a big sex romp in the great Mae West tradition. Elizabeth/Phoebe is in control all the way, and her wannabe lovers are all fools or knaves.” -W. Niederkorn (NY Times Shakespeare writer)

Phoebe Legere is a Juilliard trained composer who won a Buddy Baker film scoring scholarship to pursue post-graduate work in film scoring at NYU. She has studied composition with Mort Subotnick, Wayne Oquin and Ira Newborn and has composed for and conducted the New York Philharmonic Film Orchestra. She has been a featured soloist at Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall and performed at concert halls all over the world in addition to appearing with her punk band, the 4 Nurses of the Apocalypse at CBGB’s and her string quintet at the Algonquin Hotel.

Her music is a total synthesis of world, French, funk, avant-garde, jazz, folk, Native American and Elizabethan music. She plays many instruments, including several she invented herself. In this show Phoebe Legere and Rhys Tivey will be playing period instruments: Virginals, Lute, Viola da Gamba and the Sackbutt.

COMMUNITY SPACE THEATER
Thursday - Sunday, November 29 - December 15
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
All Seats $15
TDF OffOff@9 Available         FOR TICKETS:
http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/shakespeare.htm 
Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue
(between 9th and 10th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: (212) 254-1109
Fax: (212) 979-6570