Published on June 22, 2022 | SI Advance | Written by Carol Ann Benanti
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Sundog Theatre’s presentation of George Orwell’s tale “1984″, set to run from June 17 to June 26 at Wagner College’s Stage One at the Grymes Hill campus.
Orwell’s iconic novel was published in 1949 and this version of the play was written more than 30 years ago. Sundog’s production of “1984″, however, is the first one to be produced professionally on Staten Island.
“Although Orwell did write the play as a warning rather than a prediction, the subject matter is prescient” said Sundog Executive Director Susan Fenley. “Surveillance, government control, loss of rights, media misrepresentation, and propaganda are here. Of course, these occurrences were not new at the time of writing, since they were realities throughout Orwell’s life. Re-reading the play after so many years showed how timely it still is. Art again serves as a mirror for society. That is what makes it frightening.”
George Orwell wrote “1984″ as a result of his experiences during the times of Stalin, Lenin, Trotsky, WW II, Russian Communism, and Fascism in Spain.
Written as a satire of “totalitarian” government, readers for decades have seen it as a cautionary tale. Terms that Orwell coined in “1984″ have been in popular vernacular since the book was written: doublespeak, Big Brother, thoughtcrime, newspeak, and thought police.
Heading up the cast as the protagonist and antagonist, respectively, are Shea Ryan as Winston Smith and Ritty Mahoney as O’Brien. Also appearing in key roles are Kaitlyn Cox, Diane Zerega, Jason Biss, Caitlyn Efner, Austin Nakamura, and Joseph DeSena. Director is Mickey Tennenbaum. Costumes are by Joe Gambino and lighting design by Pamela Pangaro.
Performances dates are Friday June 17, Saturday, June 18, Sunday, June 19, Friday, June 24, Saturday. June 25 and Sunday, June 26.
Performances on Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 p.m.and Sundays at 3 p.m. at Wagner College’s Stage One, 610 Howard Ave.
Tickets: $20 general admission and $18 for students with ID and seniors.
For tickets and further information visit www.SundogTheatre.org or phone 718 816-5453.
The production “1984″ is part of the Festival of New York, a citywide collaborative featuring more than 300 organizations across New York City presenting events and shows during the summer of 2022.
Sundog Theatre is a Staten Island-based performing arts organization, formed in 2002 that provides contemporary and original theater for adults and children, educational touring shows, acting classes for young people, and programs that bring teaching artists into schools to support curricula through the arts that help make learning come alive.
For more information phone the above mentioned 718 816-5453 or visit SundogTheatre.org or info@SundogTheatre.org.
