Living Theater Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of “The Connection”:

Living Theater Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of “The Connection”: Presented in collaboration with New York City jazz musician Rene McLean

By jazzman • Dec 14th, 2008 •

Off-Broadway’s The Living Theatre, the oldest experimental theatre group in the country, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Connection by playwright Jack Gelber with a new production directed by troupe co-founder and artistic director Judith Malina.

The Living Theatre will present the revival in collaboration with New York City jazz musician Rene Maclean, who will conduct a New York jazz ensemble. Opening is January 8th, 2009, and performances will continue until February 13th, 2009.

The groundbreaking production of The Connection (1959) attracted national attention for its shocking portrayal of drug addiction and its equally unexpected language. It was an enormous success for its improvisational style of acting and its exciting use of live jazz musicians including Jackie McLean, Freddie Redd (who composed the original score), Cecil Payne, Kenny Drew, Tina Brooks and Cecil Taylor.

This new production will feature Rene Maclean, the musician son of Jackie Maclean; Malina, who will direct and play the role of Sister Salvation; and Gary Brackett, Eric Olson, John Kohan, Eno Edet, Anthony Sisco, Brad Burgess, Jeff Nash, David Copley, Albert Lamont and Enoch Wu.

For further information about the Living Theater and this production, please visit
www.livingtheatre.org.

Location:

The Living Theater
21 Clinton St.
New York, NY 10002
(212) 792-8050
www.livingtheatre.org