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CT-based Production Team & Actors to Perform in Midtown International Theatre Festival in NYC

NEW YORK, NY: Nicole Cassarino of DFX Entertainment is bringing playwright Maria Irene Fornes' intense drama "Conduct of Life" to the stage. The production will be Off-Broadway July 15 thru August 2 at the June Havoc Theatre on W. 36th St. as part of the acclaimed Midtown International Theatre Festival.

"Conduct of Life" shows the audience that in life, and especially times of war, it is our choice how we conduct ourselves in the face of violence and horror. The play premiered in NYC in 1985 and is a powerful, timeless piece with haunting characters. Having rapidly achieved his military promotion, it becomes clear that Orlando is a self-acknowledged professional torturer now using violence to subdue and destroy others, including his wife, Leticia. His longtime friend and colleague, Alejo, wretchedly watches Orlando's behavior, unable to help. Meanwhile, despite living this reality where the world has forsaken her, 12 year old Nena teaches those around her to live each day in the best possible way and not become blind with rage towards those that are unkind. Even those who torture.

The play is directed by Joshua Lee Ramos, a young, visionary director who made his professional directing debut earlier this year in Boston, MA directing A. R. Gurney's "Love Letters." He is also currently employed at TheatreWorks in Hartford. Ramos is a Hartford native and is Puerto Rican. He says, "Being Latin-American, I studied dramatic literature focusing on Latin playwrights in college with my mentor and professor Sally Porterfield. Fornes' “Conduct of Life” was one of the plays we closely studied. I am eager to bring this play, by a fellow Latin-American who inspired me, to the stage in New York where there is a big Hispanic culture and theatre people to appreciate it."

Ramos directed "Conduct of Life" in 2003 for his senior thesis project at University of Hartford. The play sold out two weeks of performances filling a 180 seat theatre and was chilling and intense, forcing the audience of students and community members alike to face their fears and their own demons. Ramos brought his unique vision to the show with a innovative use of lights and sounds. He intends to use the same design for this production as well. Producer Nicole Cassarino says "It is the way the director presents [the script] that's so amazing." Director Ramos is excited to have the opportunity to share this play because of the world's current political climate. "It is a play set in a time of war and instability," says Ramos, "Many of the characters' actions and fears in their private lives come from the unrest in the public world at war. The play examines, beyond cultural boundaries, how war affects family, how life is lived, and the choices we make."

The play will feature three actors who are University of Hartford alums and will be reprising their roles from Ramos' 2003 production. Adam Slemon, who will be playing Orlando, has performed extensively on professional stages in Cincinatti and just completed touring with a show. Carolyn Paine, of Hartford, is playing the role of Leticia. Paine has performed with several regional and professional theatres and most recently starred in the production of "Love Letters" which Ramos directed. Naja Gonzalez, of NYC, will be reprising her role as Olympia. Also cast is local actor Mark Ohanesian, of New Britain, who last year won an award for his work at Park Road Playhouse and recently performed at Long Warf Theatre. And finally, 18 year old, Jade Anderson, who just graduated from the Greater Hartford Academy for the Arts, will take on the role of 12 year old Nena.
The cast will be rehearsing locally before heading to NYC for their run of shows as part of the festival. For more information, please see the website www.midtownfestival.org.