
A few words on “The Expressway”
Act I – Done as kabuki Act II- Done as burlesque Act III- Done realistically – political debate between militant black panther type and a meek liberal
*Dummies dressed like politicians were a metaphor for gentrification.
* People would stop because it was done so realistically and people really thought this was a a real political debate.
* The play was about a real plan disaster putting a highway in the middle of the city.
At The Public Theatre
*Joe Papp said “a car runs the stage down at the end of the play?! It has to open the experimental theatre on the first level!”
In Little Italy
* The play performed on the day of a big Italian wedding:
* Limos started arriving blocking access to the car and thwarting the performance!
* People threw lentils at the performers. Lentils and…Twinkies.
“So I got a twinkie in my guitar and said I think we need to get out of here before we get stoned by real stones” ~ George Bartenieff
Washington Square
* The play also played on the side streets of Washington Square Park.
GEORGE BARTENIEFF is a graduate of both RADA and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. Broadway: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (with Al Pacino), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE WHOLE WORLD OVER, MONTSERRAT, MISALLIANCE, UNLIKELY HEROES, ROOM SERVICE, MOON BESEIGED, BOX MAO BOX. Off-Broadway: KRAPP'S LAST TAPE, THE ZOO STORY, THE AMERICAN DREA, THE SANDBOX, PROMETHEUS BOUND, I WILL BEAR WITNESS (OBIE), STUFF HAPPENS (DRAMA DESK) HOME MOVIES, THE BRIG, ROMEO AND JULIET, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, THE MEMORFANDUM, INCREASED DIFFICULTY OF COCENTRATION, CYMBELINE, AMERICAN NOTES, DEAD END KIDS, THE EXPRESSWAY, US (OBIE), REGIONAL: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (PHILLY AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR 2005-06 SEASON), THE TEMPEST, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, VALLEY SONG, AS YOU LIKE IT, THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING, ORDINARY NATION. Founder and co-Artistic Director of Theater for the New City for 24 years; then, Theater Three Collaborative in 1994. Recipient of two additional Obies for producing. TV and Film includes: CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, LAW & ORDER, 30 ROCK, RESCUE ME, ANIMA, SEE NO EVIL, JULIE AND JULIA (with Meryl Streep), THE DICTATOR (with Sasha Baron Cohen). Guest teacher at Sarah Lawrence, Wesleyan University, Towson State, Center Stage Theater, CUNY, Maryland State College, HB Studio.
https://www.theaterthreecollaborative.org