Address:
155 First Avenue
East Village, NY 10003
Phone: 212-254-1109
Website: www.theaterforthenewcity.net
Description: "The Choice" (world premiere) by Riccardo Costa, directed by André Hereford - Cino Theater - Monday, August 15 at 7:00PM; Wednesday, August 17 at 9:00PM; Thursday, August 18 at 7:00PM; Monday, August 22 at 7:00PM; Tuesday, August 23 at 9:00PM; Monday, August 29 at 7:00PM. Running Time: 85 minutes | Tickets: $15 -
Who will have a seat at the future's table? "The Choice," writer/filmmaker Riccardo Costa's debut full-length play, explores this and other Big Questions with a provocative mix of sharp-witted comedy, heartfelt drama and taut suspense. Trapped in an open house at the end of the world, one young man, forced to play God, must decide who lives or dies among a group of eight strangers confronting the apocalypse. Each clings to his or her own vision of the future, but "The Choice" is universal: What do you live for, and what compromises would you make to keep it? Directed by André Hereford, and featuring an ensemble cast, "The Choice" addresses division--based on religion or class or gender or politics--and makes a powerful argument for how much we are all the same, especially at a moment when the past ceases to matter, and we stand exposed to the end of everything.
Riccardo Costa, born in Bologna, Italy, holds a Master in Media Studies and a certificate in Media Management and Leadership. He graduated with a BFA in Film & Television Production from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He recently completed a Master Class Program at LAByrinth Theater. On the occasion of Luciano Pavarotti's summer 1998 benefit concert in Modena, Italy, Costa approached Spike Lee, who would direct the live taping of the concert, and asked to work as Lee's assistant at the event. He got the job and it led to assisting Spike again at the concert the following year. In New York, Costa has continued to work with Lee, first serving as videographer on "Summer of Sam," and now collaborating with Lee's company 40 Acres & A Mule to develop his feature film, "Memory of a Summer," directing from a script he co-wrote. His feature debut will be the film he co-wrote, "Queen of Harlem." While pursuing funding for Blitz's feature projects, Costa has continued to hone his talents--directing a staged reading of Pier Vittorio Tondelli's "Dinner Party" (starring Brian Dennehy), directing a staged reading of his script "Yes 4Ever" (starring Kerry Washington and Malcolm Gets) and completing his award-winning third short film, "Change the World," which screened in more than 30 festivals worldwide receiving important recognition. His fourth short film, "Crossing," starred Joe Morton, Hazelle Goodman and Anthony Mackie, playing in more than 40 festivals and won awards in several international film festivals and it has been broadcast in several TV Channels including CBS. Costa's American Express short film was chosen as Finalist by the Tribeca Film Festival and won a prestigious award. He was a playwright in residence at Philip Seymour Hoffman's LAByrinth Theater Company for summer '09.
