Richard The First; Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 October 12, 2012

Oct 18-Nov 18 (previews Oct 12, 13 , 14); Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8pm & Sun at 5pm and 3-part "marathon" Sundays on Nov 11 & 18 at 2 pm, 5 pm and 8 pm

RICHARD THE FIRST; PART 1, PART 2, PART 3
three plays about the LIONHEART

A Central Works Method Trilogy written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler

RICHARD THE FIRST; Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 is a trilogy of plays about a warrior king's quest for absolution for a dark, primal sin. The three plays correspond to the three "parts" of Richard the Lionheart's epic journey to the Holy Land at the end of the twelfth century. In Part 1 Richard "takes up the cross" and journeys to Palestine by way of a tempestuous family reunion in Sicily. Part 2 depicts the miraculous events surrounding Richard's attempt to re-capture Jerusalem from the sultan Saladin. And Part 3 follows the king's shipwreck, capture, and final reckoning in a far-off dungeon, the aftermath of the crusade.

Playing in rotation: RICHARD THE FIRST opens on Thursday, October 18, with Part 1 and plays "in rotation" (that is, Part 1 on Thursday, Part 2 on Friday, Part 3 on Saturday, etc.) through Sunday, November 18, 2012 with two marathon Sundays, November 11 and 18. All three parts play consecutively at 2, 5 and 8pm.

RICHARD THE FIRST is a product of the Central Works Method of collaborative play development. The script was developed with the writer, director, cast and sound designer in a schedule of 10 workshop meetings. With group research, collective brainstorming, and dramaturgical analysis the trilogy took shape. Now, in rehearsal, the production has entered the final phase of development.

Central Works brings artists together as partners in creative projects from conception through to fully developed productions. The world premiere of RICHARD THE FIRST; Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 marks the completion of the company's "New Play Program, 2010-2012," which set out to develop and present 9 new plays in 3 years. At the close of this season, Central Works will have produced a total of 34 world premieres using the Central Works Method.

Official Website: http://www.centralworks.org