Theater O to Present 'Snow Angel' in Ossining

From Theatre O: When the quiet town of Deerpoint, Vermont is hit by the biggest blizzard in 107 years, a mysterious girl named Eva steps out of a snow bank and into the lives of 15 confused teenagers who are asked to help her in her search. What Eva is searching for -- and who she truly is--becomes a mystery that baffles, divides and energizes the teens of Deerpoint. Told through journal entries and interactions among the students over the course of a single snow day, Snow Angel is a funny and eerie tale of teen angst, discovery, and the power of believing.

When Theater O Artistic Director Jessica Irons first read Snow Angel by David Lindsay Abaire, she knew immediately it was a perfect fit for the Theater O Company. “The play is deceptively simple, smart, funny, emotional just as our kids are. I knew that they would take a big fat bight out of this text and really dig in to the metaphors and action of the play. Middle schoolers are at a really neat age, where they can still dip in to kid like fun, but they are starting to have a more adult understanding of the world at large, and how they fit into that world. Snow Angel really is about group dynamics and how truth works within groups. 6th, 7th and 8th graders exist in a moment in time where this is very relevant to their daily lives. That, and the play is funny, sweet, sad and beautiful and the kids rock it.”

But wait…a furniture store??? What?

After Jessica decided on the play and obtained the rights, she and her husband (designer Andrew Irons) started talking through what it should look like. Over the last year and a half Theater O has produced a dozen plays at their space in Ossining on State Street. It is a flex space that can transform into any number of theatrical configurations. Last year’s acclaimed production of Wonder had audiences seated on both sides of the stage, facing each other, and the most recent production For Feet's Sake, the Wild Tale of a Little Mermaid was staged in a traditional proscenium with a scrim. “But,” says Irons,” Snow Angel really cries out for a vast expanse of space that feels like the kids are lost in a blizzard finding their way.”

Irons and her husband had recently purchased some furniture at Brandon, and they were both taken by the space with its high ceilings and what seems like miles of floor space. Jessica approached Brandon Furniture about possibly performing the play there. Brandon Furniture is the final phase of going out of business and is currently only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Jessica tells the story, “I looked around and there was this space upstairs that was just perfect. I started jumping up and down. Andrew, who is always slightly more practical than I am, tried to be cool about it, but I could tell he loved it just as much as I did. Going as far back as college, Andrew and I have made theater where ever a space demands it. We are over the moon that Snow Angel will be in a cavernous space where a theatrical blizzard can happen.”

For the last few weeks, Theater O faculty and staff have been hatching well laid plans, installing a theater in a vacant section of Brandon. It is going well. Kids moved into the space on January 14, and the show opens on January 19, running for five performances. The “theater” will seat 100 people, and there is ample parking. Tickets are on sale now here, or directly through the Theater O web-site.

The play features Kwabena Boateng, Max Bodoff, Stella Brail, Eoin Carr, Henry Hoffman, Jacob Irons, Haley Janush, Charlotte Kane, Frank Marrero, Nyasha Nyoni, Juliette Rogerson, Derek Rudley, Samantha Saich, ,Ella Schnecker, Orry Shackney, Kate Ubriaco

It is directed by Jessica Irons, Assistant Directed by Audrey Schnecker, designed by Andrew Irons, and assistant designed by Teddy Dengler. Eli Hersh stage managed.

“For me,” says Jessica, “The most exciting part of this is that kids (the majority of whom are company members and have been studying at Theater O for nearly two years) will perform on a stage the size of the Winter Garden (Broadway house) in an unconventional space for over 500 people. Theater can happen anywhere. These kids certainly have the talent to fill this space and the play. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity.”

Further press inquiries can be directed to Erin Brady, Managing Director. Erin@theatero.org, or 914.497.4322.

Photos and flyer courtesy of Theater O