Tis Pity She's a Whore

by John Ford

July 6th - 27th, 2002

Read a review by OOBR

Feed the Herd Theatre Company proudly takes a satirical stab at an otherwise tragic play, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore by John Ford (1633) Directed by Emanuel Bocchieri. Previews begin July 6 at 6 PM and 7th at 7 PM. Opening July 8th and closing July 27th at the Chashama Experimental Theatre 135 W. 42nd St. btwn B'way and 6th Ave. Tickets are $15 General Admission (special price of $10 for previews, Monday nights, and students) and can be reserved by calling 212.501.2282.

The schedule is Sundays and Mondays @ 7pm, Wednesdays and Fridays @ 8pm, Saturdays @ 6pm (except closing night, July 27th at 9 PM).

Tis Pity She's a Whore is a Jacobean tragedy set in a small Italian town about the incestuous love-affair between a brother and sister, her many suitors (she is the most beautiful girl in town), and the regrettable actions of individuals driven by a town of self-righteous zealots. Unlike many productions of John Ford's classic that focus on the gravité of star-crossed lovers destined for an ill-demise for wont of forbidden love, Feed the Herd is doing the show as commedia dell'arte. Accentuated by live music, burlesque antics and masked characters, FTH asks, "What's not funny about a brother impregnating his sister and then murdering her suitor before being stabbed mercilessly by a pack of banditti?"

Pictured above are Ian Tabatchnick and Matt Hanley in a scene from 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (photo © Jacquelyn Becker).

Pictured above are Anne Winkles and Kevin Kaine in a scene from 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (photo © Jacquelyn Becker).

The cast of 20 includes: Charlie Becker*, Brian Calandra, Jermaine Chambers, Jonas Cohen*, Danny Dempsey, Matt Hanley, Kevin Kaine, Josh Mattes, Happy McPartlin, Dawn Medina, Keri Meoni, Dawn Saliba, Ben Sandomir*, Megan Smith, Brian Snapp, Ian Tabatchnick*, Christian Toth, Michael Weiss, Lico Whitfield, and Anne Winkles. The artistic team is led by Artistic Director Brian Snapp and includes Set Design by Tom Lee, Lighting Design by Doug Filomena, Costumes by Eva Hageman, Masks and Make-up by Joelle Troisi and Anjelika Rivjers, and Stage Managed by Chris Guidry. And we won't forget Musical Director Matt Brundrett and Fight Director John Robison. That's just about 30 people all working for free to create a theatrical work of art you'll never forget.

Director and company member Emanuel Bocchieri says, "I wanted this production to be satirical because I find it to be ridiculous how in 300 years nothing has changed. The wealthy class has always stretched the moral code to fit their excessiveness." Feed the Herd Theatre Company was formed in late 1997. Their mission this season is to define the dimensions of perspective and how the medium of theatre can shift perspectives in character, story, and point-of-view. Past productions have included their annual Harvest and Stampede Festivals, Seven Seconds and The Blank Line. In the Herd brand of theatre, nothing needs be what it seems. It seems to be what it needs.