Readings and WorkshopsAnthony Rapp and Tom Hewitt Will Be Part of Reading of The Space Race: An American DreamMarc Acito will direct the reading of his new play.
By
Andrew Gans
January 29, 2019
Ensemble Studio Theatre’s First Light Festival will present a reading of Allegiance librettist Marc Acito’s new play, The Space Race: An American Dream, January 31 at 7 PM at Ensemble Studio Theater, 545 W. 52nd St.
Tony nominee Tom Hewitt (The Rocky Horror Show, Urinetown) will play Nazi rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, and Anthony Rapp (Rent, If/Then) will play a gay concentration camp survivor determined to bring him to justice for crimes against humanity. They will be joined by Elisha Lawson, Meeya Davis, Julia Motyka, and Crystal Lucas-Perry. Acito directs.
The play examines the ethics of the Apollo space program, which simultaneously worked to integrate NASA in Huntsville, Alabama, while shielding Nazi war criminals.
“Like Allegiance,” Acito says, “the play excavates and interrogates complicity and corruption while celebrating the intersectionality of oppressed minorities.”
The reading is open to the public, though seating is limited. Reservations can be made at EnsembleStudioTheatre.org.