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Manipulated
Manipulation, a new play written by Victoria Calderon
Marina Squerciati in Manipulation
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A new play set to premiere this week is bringing anything but a happy love story to the stage. Manipulation, written by Mexican-born playwright Victoria Calderon, is described as a “provocative modern interpretation of an overlooked biblical story” combined with the “magic realism” and other traditional aspects of Latin American literature. The play tells the story of Cristina, a woman who has her hands full with privilege, position, and money…and an unfaithful husband. While her mother advises her to cheat on her husband in return, Cristina instead tries to find professional help from a psychiatrist, only to find he has his own lewd agenda that he may use Cristina to help fulfill. Together, the characters weave a story that “ends with a shocking twist that’s as seductive as it is dark and dangerous.”
A week of preview performances of Manipulation will begin on June 21. There will be an official press opening at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) in Manhattan on June 28, and the production will run for a limited engagement until August 21.
Manipulation is Calderon’s American premiere. Before her entry into the world of play-writing, she worked as a columnist and director of the social and cultural section at El Sol de Mexico. She also had a series of essays published in El Heraldo de Mexico.
Will Pomerantz lends his expertise to the production as the new director, offering “striking, expressionistic staging.” He recently won all of the major theatrical awards in the Boston Area including the Elliot Norton Award for The Blue Flower, which he directed for the American Repertory Theater. His production The Shape of Things was voted Outstanding Production of the Year in Washington, D.C. Pomerantz also works as the Associate Director of Artistic Development for Epic Theatre Ensemble.
Cristina’s “struggle for freedom and self-discovery” is brought to life by Marina Squerciati. The versatile actress has experience in many entertainment venues, including Broadway (To Be Or Not To Be), film (It’s Complicated) and television (Blue Bloods, The Good Wife). Robert Bogue (Guiding Light) stars as Mauricio, Cristina’s husband, and Saundra Santiago (The Sopranos, Broadway’s NINE) takes the stage as Cristina’s mother, Dona Beatriz. The cast also features Gabriel Furman, Jeremy Stiles Holm, Brendan McMahon and Rafi Silver.
The drama also showcases the artistic talents of Bill Stabile, scenic design; Kirk Bookman, lighting design; Alejo Vietti, costume design; Jeremy Lee, sound design; Jay Janicki, technical supervision; and Rick Sordelet, fight direction.
Go here for showtimes and ticket information.