On October 28, 1963 the Original Penn Station was Demolished, Forever Altering the NYC Landscape.
Over 50 Years Later, the Story of an Unlikely Friendship is Revealed.
THE ETERNAL SPACE
A World Premiere Production
Written By Justin Rivers
Directed By Mindy Cooper
Performances Begin November 13 at Theatre Row
NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 9, 2015 — The world premiere of THE ETERNAL SPACE, a new play written by Justin Rivers and directed by Mindy Cooper, will begin performances at New York City’s Theatre Row on November 13, 2015.
October 28th, 1963 marked the end of an era in New York City history. The demolition of the old Pennsylvania Station had begun, and as the wrecking crew worked to dismantle the 53-year-old architectural marvel, a chance meeting between a construction worker running from his past and an English teacher who can’t let his go sparks a three year odyssey where one man fights to keep the station standing while the other tears it down.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the demolition of the old Penn Station, THE ETERNAL SPACE uses original photography from the journalists who documented the station’s destruction and recreations of broadcast recordings of the day to chart an unlikely friendship during the social and cultural upheavals of the mid-1960s.
“I decided the demolition photography would have to be central to the show,” said Rivers. “Not only would it provide the backdrop for all the scenes, it would be a living presence on the stage. Since these photos communicate so much, they really became the third character on the stage with their own story to tell. They even have their own stage directions.” THE ETERNAL SPACE will feature the photography of Norman McGrath, Peter Moore, Alexander Hatos, Ron Ziel and Aaron Rose.
The loss of the beaux-arts Penn Station would invigorate the efforts of the preservation movement both locally and nationally. National legislation that followed would later be critical to saving Grand Central Terminal and many other NYC buildings.
Playwright Justin Rivers wrote the first draft of THE ETERNAL SPACE in 2002 as a testament to all the things we don’t appreciate until they’re gone. Currently he is the author and co-collaborator of The Wonder City, a graphic novel that re-imagines the history of NYC. He is also Founder and Executive Director of The Character Connection Initiative, a non-profit organization that brings character education to inner-city middle school students and teachers throughout NYC. He has written and produced fifteen plays.
Director Mindy Cooper’s credits include Broadway By The Year 1937, Broadway By The Year 1972, Broadway By The Year Musicals of 1916-1940, and Music In The Night: A Tribute To Jerome Kern, all at NYC’s Town Hall. Additional directing credits include Being Seen, Social Life The Musical, American Monkey and The Thing About Time. As a performer, her Broadway credits include Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, Song and Dance and Tenderloin.
The cast of THE ETERNAL SPACE will feature Clyde Baldo and Matt Pilieci. Baldo is an actor, director and photographer whose credits span more than fifty plays and thirty films. His play Glimpses was first performed at Arclight Theatre and has been performed twice in Rio de Janeiro. He is a proud member of The Amoralist Theater Company. Pilieci is a Co-Founder and former Associate Artistic Director of The Amoralists Theater Company. He is a graduate and company member of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts whose credits include Through The Yellow Hour (Rattlestick Theater) and Hotel Motel (The Amoralists).
Scenic design is by Jason Sherwood (Goodspeed Musicals: The Circus in Winter, Yale Repertory Theater: In the Next Room). Projection design is by Brad Peterson (Broadway: Fish in the Dark). Lighting design is by Zach Blane (Roundabout: Too Much, Too Much, Too Many, Suicide Incorporated). Costume design is by Tristan Raines (NYC: Bare, Tribes, The Internationals, Soul Doctor). Sound design is by Benjamin Blank (Social Life The Musical). Sara Zick is the associate producer. Public relations services by John Capo Public Relations.
THE ETERNAL SPACE will be presented at Theatre Row’s Lion Theatre, located at 410 West 42nd Street in New York City. All seats are $56.25.
To view the performance schedule and purchase tickets, visit www.TheEternalSpacePlay.com
@TheEternalSpace
