According to Lincoln Center's new LCT3 project at its slogan, it takes "New Audiences for New Artists." It also takes new critics, hence the establishment of Theater Talk's New Theater Corps in 2005, a way for up-and-coming theater writers and eager new theatergoers to get exposure to the ever-growing theater scene in New York City. Writers for the New Theater Corps are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the off-off and off-Broadway theater scene, learning and giving back high-quality reviews at the same time. Driven by a passion and love of the arts, the New Theater Corps aims to identify, support, and grow the arts community, one show and one person at a time.

Monday, December 12, 2005

"Vital Signs" by Rachel Maier

"Vital Signs," the new works festival put on by the Vital Theater Company seemed like it must be as enjoyable to be in, as it was to watch. The 6 one acts shared quite a few themes in common including the connection to ones family as well as direct address to the audience. Each of these plays focused on the telling and receiving of specific information which served as the main conflict for each piece. One line from the piece "Last Stop: Neverland" sums up the theme of the entire festival: "What good is having a voice if nobody wants to hear it?"

The sparse set and sufficient lighting worked well for the pieces and did not detract from the festival as a whole. Anything more would have been a distraction from the actors and would have been superfluous to the aim of the plays.

The actors put forth excellent work and were a joy to watch. I would recommend this new works festival to anyone who enjoys watching up-and-coming theater professionals do their thing and do it well.

"Vital Signs"
Dec 1-18, 2005
The McGinn Cazale Theatre
2162 Broadway, 4th floor
www.vitaltheatre.org

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