Page 30 - Southern Exposure - December '21

Page 30, Southern Exposure

TheaTre haPPenings

Palm Beach Dramaworks Happenings

The World Premiere Of Michael McKeever’s The People Downstairs

Opens Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 2021/22 Season On Dec. 3

Palm Beach Dramaworks the performance date. Alternatively, all guests can, instead, Festival, and a revised script was given a virtual reading
(PBD), unable to perform present documentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test in June of that year following two, three-day workshops.
onstage for audiences result conducted within 72 hours prior to the performance, Michael McKeever has written 33 full-length plays that
for 21 months due to the or a negative COVID-19 antigen test result conducted have been produced at theatres around the world, including
pandemic, begins its season within 24 hours prior to the scheduled performance Comödie Dresden (Dresden), Och-Teatr (Warsaw), and
of renewal on Dec. 3, 8 p.m., start time. Matching photo identification is required for Theater in der Josefstadt, Kammerspiele (Vienna). His
with the world premiere everyone 18 years of age and older. play Daniel’s Husband enjoyed a sold-out, extended
of Michael McKeever’s These protocols are subject to change. As the situation three-month run in Los Angeles at the Fountain Theatre,
The People Downstairs, a evolves, PBD will re-evaluate and share any updates on and ran Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre following
commissioned play that tells its website at palmbeachdramaworks.org and via email. successful runs at Penguin Rep and Primary Stages, where
the story of the courageous The People Downstairs is the first of two world it was nominated for an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for
souls who hid Anne Frank premieres to be produced by PBD during the 2021/22 Best New Work. McKeever has won numerous Carbonell
and seven others during the season; Bruce Graham’s The Duration will debut on Feb. and Silver Palm Awards, and is the proud recipient of the
Holocaust. Performances 18. Developing new work is now an essential part of the prestigious George Abbott Award for outstanding artistic
continue through Dec. company’s profile, and this will be PBD’s fifth consecutive achievement. His work has been nominated four times
19, with specially priced season featuring at least one world premiere. The People for the Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association
previews on Dec. 1 and Downstairs was commissioned by PBD, and both plays New Play Award. He is also an award-winning actor and
2, 7:30 p.m. Producing were nurtured in The Dramaworkshop, the company’s lab designer. McKeever and his husband, Stuart Meltzer, are
Artistic Director William for developing new plays. The People Downstairs received
Hayes directs. its first public reading in the 2020 New Year/New Plays Theatre Happenings on page 31
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People Downstairs explores the complex challenges faced January 28th and 29th
by these brave individuals on their journey of rebellious Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Beach Gardens PGA Friday & Saturday
morality during the horrors of the Holocaust. 4350 PGA Boulevard, 4th floor Hospitality Room
“We’re living through such turbulent times,” said 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Hayes. “Incidents of anti-Semitism have increased for for Additional Information or Questions
the past several years, as has a rise in hate crimes toward
many ethnic groups and people of color, which makes call (407) 341-4740
The People Downstairs all too timely. It’s alarming to
see people wearing yellow stars and hear them draw a
comparison between mask mandates and Nazism, or to
see people beaten because of the color of their skin. The CAMPBELL AND KARLIK, P.A.
play serves as an important reminder for all of us to protect
those who are being unfairly persecuted in our country. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
We’re a nation built on immigration, a country that should
take pride in its diversity. As it says on the plaque in the
pedestal of the Statue of Liberty: ‘Give me your tired, your
poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’” Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning • Probate
The People Downstairs features Amy Miller Brennan,
Bruce Linser, Dennis Creaghan, Tom Wahl, McKeever, Taxation • Real Estate • Corporations
Matthew W. Korinko, and John Campagnuolo. Scenic
design is by Michael Amico, costume design is by Brian
O’Keefe, lighting design is by Kirk Bookman, and sound
design is by Roger Arnold.
All guests at the theatre are required to wear suitable
masks that completely cover the nose, mouth, and under
the chin for their entire visit. Anyone who does not comply
will be escorted out of the theatre. PBD will also require
documentation (printed or digital): Fully vaccinated guests
have the option of voluntarily presenting documentation
showing full vaccination status. Full vaccination is defined
as the completion of the final dose at least 14 days prior to

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