Nova Arts Project

Nova Arts Project, the Houston theatre company dedicated to re-creating classics and inspiring new works in a fearlessly theatrical way, continues its fourth season with the Houston Premiere of Will Eno’s one-man play Thom Pain (based on nothing).

Running June 18-July 4 at DiverseWorks, Thom Pain (based on nothing) features Houston actor Seán Patrick Judge as the title character. Last seen as Jim Lehrer in Catastrophic Theatre’s The Strangerer, Judge again embodies his role, this time as Eno’s conflicted, cynical and almost too self-aware creation.

For Judge, this role “has been a wonderful challenge…as the character is at once supposed to convey charm, charisma and wit, while at the same time be restrained, subdued and seem to be holding back an entire sea of emotions that could destroy both himself, and potentially the audience members!”

Directed by Atlanta-transplant Matt Huff, Huff first brought this play to the attention of Judge, and Artistic Director Clinton Hopper in 2008. Huff’s interest in the play stems from “my passion for sharing original and provocative new voices in American theater. Will Eno’s plays are unlike anything else in the theater today. With Thom Pain, Eno has reinvented the one-man show and, in doing so, has created a stunning new vision for expressing the inevitable heartbreak, confounding beauty and utter hilarity of being human.”

Artistic Director Hopper sees the play as an easy choice for Nova Arts Project, saying, “as soon as I heard Seán read the play aloud, I knew that fit our mission of presenting new works that are fearlessly theatrical because it isn’t just a monologue but an exploration of what it means to live life clearly.”

Thom Pain (based on nothing), by Will Eno, runs June 18-July 4, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00pm at DiverseWorks, 1117 E. Freeway, Houston, TX 77002. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 general admission, with the July 4 closing performance as a pay-what-you-wish (cash only please) 2:00pm matinee. To buy tickets, for more information about the production, or for more information about Nova Arts Project, please go to novaartsproject.com

Leave A Comment »

Two great productions this month!!

Posted in Uncategorized on May 8, 2009 by seanjudge

Nova Arts Project is very proud to be presenting two fantastic productions…all this month!

First…we’ve been working hard with Opera Vista, helping them to produce their 2-week long 2009 Vista Festival! This is an EVENT, ladies and gentlemen! Opens May 21st and runs through May 30th at the University of Houston’s Wortham Theatre! 2 amazing, and poignant full-length performances, as well as 6 fresh opera’s competing for the prize of a full-length production next year! AND, 2 wonderful performances by Houston’s newest chamber music ensemble, Zephyr! This is not to be missed!

Read all about it, and get your tickets here.

AND….as if that weren’t enough…

Nova Arts Project is also premiering a brand new play by Houston’s own Elizabeth Keel called “Going Dark”….a taut, dramatic, and supernatural tale about a small school where emotions are a science…and occasionally a weapon. The arrival of a new student brings a welcome change to two of the professors and one of their protégés, but with a recent loss, emotions for all are too close to the surface.

You can order your tickets now for this short run (May 22nd – 24th) at Midtown Arts Center.

Leave A Comment »

“Gate of Heaven is a Gift for All” – Houston Press

Posted in reviews on December 18, 2008 by seanjudge

I defy anyone to leave Gate of Heaven unaffected. Although this tremendously moving drama, a co-production between Nova Arts Project and The Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association, has nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas, its universal message of brotherhood, compassion and redemption could fill dozens of stockings. It’s a drama for any season, and this production is a gift for all. – D.L. Groover, Houston Press

Leave A Comment »

Houston Chronicle Review for THE GATE OF HEAVEN!

Posted in reviews on December 10, 2008 by seanjudge

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/arts/theater/6155918.html

Leave A Comment »

Gate of Heaven Opening Weekend a WILD RIDE!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags ADL, Asia Society, Bobby Haworth, Donna Cole, Gate Of Heaven, Houston, JACL, Jerome Vielman, Jewish Community Center, Lane Nishikawa, Nova Arts Project, theatre, Victor Talmadge on December 8, 2008 by seanjudge

A message from Seán Patrick Judge, Managing Director of Nova Arts Project:

Wow. Where to start! First, we’re so proud to say we were sold out for our first two shows, thanks to the incredible generosity and support from Donna Cole of Cole Chemical, the efforts of Leah Gross, Marilyn Hassid and Susan Farb Morris of the Jewish Community Center, and La Monica Yarbrough and Dena Marks from the Anti-Defamation League. All of them putting the word out, inviting guests and filling the seats with people who’s lives have already been affected by the story this play recounts.

We had Japanese-American veterans of the 442nd Regiment, who liberated prisoners at Dachau. We had Survivors who experienced the very liberation and who’s lives were saved by heroes like these tremendous men. We had BOTH playwrights, Lane Nishikawa and Victor Talmadge brought in, thanks to the ENORMOUS generosity of Donna Cole.

All of the above participated in two incredible “talk-backs” with the audience members, who were so clearly moved, we had to provide tissues in the lobby!

AND, we had two wonderfully catered events (again, thanks to Donna Cole!) with amazing food from Kubo’s Japanese/Sushi restaurant, The French Corner and Randalls’ Kosher Deli.

And to top things off…one of our fabulous lead actors, Jerome Vielman, performed the second show with his arm in a sling! We are so fortunate to report that both Jerome and playwright Lane Nishikawa, survived a car accident after the Opening Night reception that totaled Jerome’s Volvo (the safest car around, apparently!) One of Houston’s notoriously well-trained drivers ran a red light and hit Jerome’s passenger side. Lane was a little bruised, but just fine, but poor Jerome had to go to the hospital to have his shoulder looked at.

Needless to say, some things had to change in our staging at the very last minute on Sunday morning! But we did it, and audiences were still incredibly moved by the powerful performances by Jerome, Bobby Haworth, Ashley Allison, Greg Hall and Izchel Hernandez.

But it’s not over yet!! Tickets are STILL available for the remainder of the run! So please come see the show! Check out our site for tickets and information.

Finally, I would like to share a portion of an e-mail from one of our audience members to his friends that was shared with me. It only goes to show how powerful this show has already proven to be:

“Beside for Becky, Sam, Myself and Hanna,, you guys missed out on a great performance! It was a great story, great acting, and I’m very proud of Jerome. At first I must admit I am not a live acting, plays type of guy, and thought I would support Jerome and have to sit through some weird stuff I don’t understand. But I sat for 2 hours thoroughly engaged in the pure emotion of friendship and it really made me appreciate my life. (I’ve been kinda depressed lately about how my life “sucked” etc, etc…complaining about what I don’t have etc, etc.) but the play which is brilliant in script and acting really brings out the importance of life in a non-cheesy way.

I recommend everyone to go and watch it, bring your friends! Buy your tickets early, cause I think It should be a packed house. “

2 Comments »

SATURDAY! The Gate of Heaven Opening Night Reception!

Posted in announcements with tags 442nd, Dachau, drink, food, Lane Nishikawa, Nova Arts Project, symposium, Victor Talmadge on December 1, 2008 by seanjudge

The Gate of Heaven

SPECIAL OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION!

The Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association (APAHA) & Nova Arts Project are presenting The Gate of Heaven by Lane Nishikawa & Victor Talmadge.

Donna Cole and Cole Chemical are sponsoring a reception with traditional Japanese and Jewish food and drink on opening night. There will also be a talk-back with the playwrights Lane Nishikawa and Victor Talmadge, as well as special guest veterans of the 442nd Regiment and survivors of Dachau. An evening to remember!

The Jewish Community Center is a special partner for the opening evening of Saturday, December 6, 2008.

The Gate of Heaven follows two men, a Japanese-American soldier and a Jewish survivor of the Dachau prison camp, through fifty years of shared experience and a shared journey to discover the elusive American dream.

Event Details:
Saturday, December 6, 2008

8:00 PM
at Diverse Works,

1117 E. Freeway

Houston, TX 77002 -1108
Ticket Purchase:

1) Log into thegateofheaven.eventbrite.com/

Leave A Comment »