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November 11, 2010
The Civilians' In the Footprint debuts tomorrow; post-show discussions planned for many performances; who directed the background "theater"?
Atlantic Yards Report
The investigative theater troupe The Civilians, following up its preliminary 2008 piece on Atlantic Yards, Brooklyn at Eye Level (my review), tomorrow debuts IN THE FOOTPRINT: The Battle Over Atlantic Yards.
The play with music will be performed at the Irondale Center in Fort Greene from November 12 through December 11. It's written and directed by Steven Cosson, co-written by Jocelyn Clarke, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman.
...The web site promises a post-show discussion series "about the real-life issues from the play related to the Atlantic Yards development and our changing community."
November 16 at 8PM: Conversation with the Artists
November 18 at 8PM: Conversation with the Artists
November 20 at 2PM: Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of the Fifth Avenue Committee
November 23 at 8PM: Conversation with the Artists
November 29 at 7PM: Brad Lander, New York City Council Member
November 30 at 8PM: Stephen Levin, New York City Council Member
December 2 at 8PM: Tom Angotti, Professor of Urban Studies & Planning at Hunter College
December 4 at 2PM: Daniel Goldstein, Co-founder of DDDB and last resident to leave The Footprint
December 6 at 7PM: Conversation with the Artists
December 7 at 8PM: Letitia James , New York City Council Member (Invited)
December 9 at 8PM: Stacey Sutton, Urban Planning Professor at Columbia's Architecture Grad Dept.Most of those leading discussions, excepting the artists, are opponents or critics of Atlantic Yards, though Council Member Levin, whose base until very recently was Bushwick and Ridgewood, has been a mild supporter while expressing concern.
It would be interesting, to say the least, to see someone from Brooklyn United for Innovative Urban Development (BUILD) or another Community Benefits Agreement signatory leading the discussion.
...The conflict has been epic theater, but the director--in the grand scheme of things--has been more Forest City Ratner than anyone in charge of the public interest.
Posted by eric at November 11, 2010 10:38 AM