Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT), currently celebrating their 30th anniversary season, showcases over 60 original new works at their bi-annual Spark Theatre Festival NYC. The festival presents new musicals, dance, solo shows, cabaret and plays in various stages of development.
Ten new short and full-length musicals will be presented including Illusion by Donald Loftus, based on the true life story of Julian Eltinge, a famous actor who specialized in playing female roles at the turn of the 20th century, Bari, the abandoned princess, book and lyrics by Alexandra Kaouris, an adaptation of a Korean myth where the abandoned princess goes on a journey to the underworld, and Project: Library, composition and lyrics by Gaby Mank, that follows two librarians who are desperately trying to save a run-down library from being closed.
Other festival highlights include the solo piece Two Brothers by Kevin Brofsky, where Edwin Booth explores how he and his now infamous brother, John Wilkes, could be so different. Several new plays will be presented including Observant by Pamela Weiler Grayson, finds three generations of Jewish women confronting their identities when a violent mass shooting rocks their community, and Faces in My Fist, written by Lisa McCree, set in 1955 Harlem and based on Harry “Black Panther” Willis, a renowned boxer who held the title of “World Colored Heavyweight Championship" and was a victim of the color line.
Over thirty dance pieces will be presented, including THRIVE choreographed by Stephen Hill, a ballet celebrating the struggle, resilience and triumph of black heritage, Garden of Eden choreographed by Xinyi Zhang, which draws inspiration from the social identity and status of Chinese women dancers before 1949, and Where the Violets Bloom choreographed by Rush Johnston, a love letter to the queer community that celebrates the joys and freedom in queerness.
