Gay City News on Charles Ludlam and Conquest of the Universe

Ludlam Celebrated By Those He Loved   

David Noh of Gay City News chats with Brian Belovitch and Everett Quinton on the opening of Charles Ludlam's CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE OR WHEN QUEENS COLLIDE at La MaMa.

In the article Quinton says:

"“I was asked which of Charles’ plays they should use for this commemoration and I chose this, which was the first one he did when he started the Ridiculous. He would read the newspaper every day and just be inspired by whatever news story caught his fancy and wrote a play from that. And, as Tamberlaine, we have Grant Neale, who was in the original production! I play two roles: Cosroe and Zabina. It’s a big production, we’re excited about the fabulous design of it, and I just want to get it up on its feet! I’m so proud of this cast, which I hand-picked. Of course, it’s very gay: you know, Charles used to say, 'I get down on my knees every day and thank God I’m gay!'”

Read the full article: HERE

And get your tickets for CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE!

_____

La MaMa presents

CONQUEST 

OF THE 

UNIVERSE 

OR 

WHEN 

QUEENS 

COLLIDE

by Charles Ludlam

directed by Everett Quinton

November 2-19, 2017

Thursday - Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 4pm; special performance Monday November 6th at 8pm

Ellen Stewart Theatre 

66 East 4th Street

(between Bowery and Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $30 Adults; $25 Students/Seniors: 10@$10 Tickets available

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

6 Questions: Lenys Samá

CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE OR WHEN QUEENS COLLIDE opens this week.  Up next answering our 6 Questions is Lenys Samá.  Don't miss the 50th Anniversary production of Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous classic, directed by Everett Quinton!


1. Who do you play in CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE? 

BAJAZETH, King of Mars

2. Why do you think the play is still important/relevant today? 

Well, there’s a thin-skinned power hungry tyrant, and themes that run the gamut from rape as a weapon of war to the loneliness of unrequited love.

3. What does Ridiculous Theatre mean to you? 

It means taking risks, leaving pretensions at the door, being out and proud, rolling up your sleeves and working, and so much more. I was ignorant about the Ridiculous when I did my first play there but luckily it became an incubator for me.

4. Do you have a “dream role” or a favorite role you've played? 

My dream role…Lady Macbeth. I don’t have a favorite role but I have a soft spot for General Carragua Fanfarron in How to Write a Play and Vladimir in Waiting for Godot.

5. What is the last good book/play/film/art exhibit you’ve seen? 

Create Dangerously by Edwidge Danticat, The Workshop by Torrey Townsend with Austin Pendleton was a gem, Roger Guenver Smith’s Rodney King blew me away and it’s on Netflix!

6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you? 

Going back to a uniquely New York wellspring of creativity that has given artists like Charles Ludlam the opportunity to create and produce their work. It feels so right to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company at La MaMa. My creative juices are flowing just thinking about it. I'm going to wallow in the experience.

_____

La MaMa presents

CONQUEST 

OF THE 

UNIVERSE 

OR 

WHEN 

QUEENS 

COLLIDE

by Charles Ludlam

directed by Everett Quinton

November 2-19, 2017

Thursday - Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 4pm; special performance Monday November 6th at 8pm

Ellen Stewart Theatre 

66 East 4th Street

(between Bowery and Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $30 Adults; $25 Students/Seniors: 10@$10 Tickets available

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

First Look: HALLOWEEN UNLEASHED

All photos by Theo Cote

_____

La MaMa presents

HALLOWEEN UNLEASHED: 
Dancing Bones, Tasting Darkness 
and the Skeleton Within 

by Armitage Gone! Dance, New York City
Choreographed by Karole Armitage
Original Commissioned Music by Terry Dame
Music by DNA, Theoretical Girls, Wyclef Jean, Marilyn Manson, David Lang, Fats Waller

October 27 - 29, 2017
Friday: 7pm and 10pm; Saturday: 2pm and 7pm; Sunday: 2pm and 4pm

Tickets: $20 Adults; $15 Students/Seniors/Kids

The First Floor Theatre 
74A East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003

For Tickets & Info: CLICK HERE

6 Questions: Jeanne Lauren Smith

6 Questions with the cast of Charles Ludlam's CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE OR WHEN QUEENS COLLIDE continues with Jeanne Lauren Smith.  Everett Quinton directs the Charles Ludlam's classic for 13 performances only, November 2 - 19, 2017.  

1. Who do you play in CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE?
Ebea (Zabina, the Queen of Mars', maid)

2. Why do you think the play is still important/relevant today?
It is a twist of a tale of seeking not only world domination, but control over the whole universe. Themes of greed, violence and grasping for power seem to be on an endless, cyclical loop in our culture, and at our current moment on what feels like an exaggerated, aggressive scale.

3. What does Ridiculous Theatre mean to you?
Using all the elements at your disposal. Putting on stage what societal norms would rather cover up or push away. Being extreme and expressive in storytelling.

4. Do you have a “dream role” or a favorite role you've played?
I would love to play Li'l Bit in How I Learned to Drive.

5. What is the last good book/play/film/art exhibit you’ve seen?
Spiritual Partnership by Gary Zukav

6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you?
La MaMa does not only cover an inspiring physical space but also a movement and a history that embodies equanimity, creativity, quality and social awareness. I'm honored to be working on such a special play at such a special theatre during this extraordinary time on our planet.

_____

La MaMa presents

CONQUEST 

OF THE 

UNIVERSE 

OR 

WHEN 

QUEENS 

COLLIDE

by Charles Ludlam

directed by Everett Quinton

November 2-19, 2017

Thursday - Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 4pm; special performance Monday November 6th at 8pm

Ellen Stewart Theatre 

66 East 4th Street

(between Bowery and Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $30 Adults; $25 Students/Seniors: 10@$10 Tickets available

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

6 Questions: Beth Dodye Bass

Beth Dodye Bass is next up to answer our 6 Questions.  The 50th Anniversary production of Charles Ludlam's CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE OR WHEN QUEENS COLLIDE plays The Ellen Stewart Theatre from November 2 - 19, 2017.  Tickets now on sale and seating is limited.

1. Who do you play in CONQUEST OF THE UNIVERSE?
Natolia, Queen of Saturn

2. Why do you think the play is still important/relevant today?
Chartles Ludlam wrote this play during a tumultuous time in our history. We were embroiled in a war with Vietnam and we were fighting for civil and gay rights here at home. Seems to me this is happening all over again, making this particular piece extremely relevant.

3. What does Ridiculous Theatre mean to you?
The ridiculous is brilliant, hilarious, audacious and courageous theatre. Their work crossed all human barriers. The ridiculous not only appealed to gay audiences alone but to theatre goers of every race, creed and sexual persuasion. It raises a mirror to the social mores of society and the consciousness of the people who experience their work.

4. Do you have a “dream role” or a favorite role you've played?
LILY POSTIA in Everett Quinton’s adaptation of CARMEN

5. What is the last good book/play/film/art exhibit you’ve seen?
Book: Recently reread 1984 by George Orwell, even more terrifying now.
Play: Little Foxes, Cynthia Nixon played Regina
Film: I just saw Gaslight again Bergman rocks!
Art exhibit: The Alexander Calder exhibit at the Whitney Museum

6. What does working at La MaMa mean to you?
To Me La MaMa means the premier avant garde off Broadway theatre in the country. Artists from all over the world have performed in this theatre. La MaMa was a driving force in the creation of the off and off off Broadway movement. A safe haven for original ideas, performances and artists. I have been fortunate to have played at La MaMa before and I am thrilled to be performing at this great house once again.

_____

La MaMa presents

CONQUEST 

OF THE 

UNIVERSE 

OR 

WHEN 

QUEENS 

COLLIDE

by Charles Ludlam

directed by Everett Quinton

November 2-19, 2017

Thursday - Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 4pm; special performance Monday November 6th at 8pm

Ellen Stewart Theatre 

66 East 4th Street

(between Bowery and Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $30 Adults; $25 Students/Seniors: 10@$10 Tickets available

For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE