Tri-state Playwright's New Political Spoof in NYC

CINCINNATI - June 6, 2016 - PRLog -- Tri-state playwright Phil Paradis, of  Fort Thomas, KY, has another new play going up on the boards at Manhattan Repertory Theatre in New York. Paradis' timely new play "The Great Debate," a short political spoof, will be staged as part of Manhattan Rep's LIVEART New York City Series #6, on June 7 & 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Manhattan Repertory Theatre, 303 W. 42nd St. 6th FL, New York, NY.

"The Great Debate" is directed by award-winning director Andrew Rothkin, and stars award-winning actor J. Dolan Byrnes and features the up-and-coming Robert Sinclair. The play is part of Manhattan Rep's LIVEART New York City, a five-act variety show at Manhattan Rep, right off Times Square.

New York Actors Brynes and Sinclair play the politicians who square off in their final presidential debate. "An election year is great for political satire," says Paradis, who noted that "The Great Debate" was previously produced in Fort Thomas, KY and in San Diego, CA. Paradis adds, "This spoof makes points about American political discourse and the overall 'dumbing-down' of what passes for political debate."

The five new acts in LIVE ART New York City Series #6 include "God Did" by Brett Boham, "Sunrise On The Beach" created and choreographed by Catherine Mancuso, "Was It Good For You?" by Lauren Mui, "The Great Debate" by Phil Paradis, and "Six Percent, This Is Why. (a REAL estate story)" by Nick Rafello.

The Series #6 performances are Tuesday and Thursday, June 7 and 10th at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20 at the door while supplies last or may be reserved online at www.manhattanrep.com

J. Dolan Byrnes won an outstanding Actor Award in 2015 in the Planet Connections Festivity for his performance in Glory Kadigan's When The Party's Over. In 2013 Byrnes won an Outstanding Actor Award in the Planet Connections Festivity for his performance as Morgan Seemly in what do you mean, a role which he reprised at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Bob Sinclair has worked with Riverdale Community Theater in the Bronx in such shows as Arthur Miller's The Crucible  and Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit and with The Main Street Theater in Pajama Game and Bye Bye Birdie.

"I'm delighted to be working with Phil's timely and funny piece," said director Andrew Rothkin, "and to be working with Dolan and Bob once again, and to be back at Manhattan Rep." Rothkin's previous Manhattan Rep credits include Meredith's Ring (as writer and actor), Father's Day (writer), and currently The Magenta's Yenta (as writer and director). Other directing work includes Call Upon, Ninja Motorcycle Babes, Danny, The Tiny Closet, The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, CHiLLS, and House of Satan Spawn.

Playwright Paradis is best known for An Evening With Stephen Crane and Soldier's Christmas, about the World War I Christmas Truce of 1914. His previous plays at Manhattan Rep include Sunny Side, God Is a Ford Man, Daddy's Little Girl, MAMMA'S LITTLE DARLINGS, BREAKING GULF NEWS, THE HOLEY SWISS DUET, and POWDER PUFF HEIST. His awards include a Kentucky New Play Series Award, a Cincinnati Directors Competition Grand Prize for FOOTPRINTS OF THE POLAR BEAR, and an Audience Choice Award at 24 EXPERIMENT, Point Loma Actors Theater, San Diego. For more information, see www.soldierschristmas.net

To reserve tickets for Manhattan Rep's LIVEART New York City Series #6, visit http://manhattanrep.com/liveart-nyc-series-6/