“Over the past several years the Nature Theater of Oklahoma has evolved into one of New York’s most talented ensembles…their shows are smart, witty, highly physical, and eager to twist notions of theatricality” The Village VOICE
The Nature Theater of Oklahoma – the name is from the last chapter in Franz Kafka's novel "America" - has been hailed as one of New York city's most gifted theater companies. The two directors, Pavol Liska and Kelly Cooper, creates shows they claim they have no idea how to put on. Together they have created several humorous and unconventional productions, among them "Romeo and Juliet" and "No Dice", both of which have played here at Black Box Theater.
The words for the musical "Life and Times - episode 1" is a 16 hour phone conversation, written down word for word, where one of the company's actors tell the story about the first 8 years of her life. The goal is to ultimately make "Life and Times" into ten parts, revealing her entire life story. Here is part 1, and not only is this a funny and touching show, it is also quite simply an unforgettable musical!
“Over the past several years the Nature Theater of Oklahoma has evolved into one of New York’s most talented ensembles…their shows are smart, witty, highly physical, and eager to twist notions of theatricality”
The Village VOICE
“At a time when even Off-Off Broadway productions seem infatuated with technology and spectacle, [Nature Theater of Oklahoma’s] bare-bones vision recalls the “poor theater” of the 1970’s…The focus is on the actors’ voices and bodies. They animate the theater with a bravura physicality.”
The New York Times
“Nature Theater of Oklahoma, the most buzzed-about new troupe on the New York avant-garde scene, is certainly not for traditional tastes, its gleefully democratic spirit and old-fashioned showmanship certainly aims to please – and does so quite winningly.”
The New York Times
“Deploying a fresh intelligence, an ingenious theatricality and a pleasingly odd sense of humor, the Nature Theater of Oklahoma has become one of the top alternative companies in New York.”
The Village VOICE
Conceived and Directed by: Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper. From a telephone conversation with: Kristin Worrall. Original music by: Robert M. Johanson. Design by: Peter Nigrini. Featuring: Ilan Bachrach, Gabel Eiben, Anne Gridley, Matthew Korahais, Julie Lamendola and Alison Weisgall. Musicians: Daniel Gower, Robert M. Johanson and Kristin Worrall. Prompter: Elisabeth Conner. Dramaturg: Florian Malzacher. Production manager: Kelly Shaffer. Audio engineer: Mark Kleinfelder. Co-commission, co-producers, supporters, etc.: A production of Nature Theater of Oklahoma and Burgtheater Wien in coproduction with Internationales Sommerfestival Hamburg, Kaaitheater Brussel, Théâtre de la Ville Paris, Internationale Keuze Festival Rotterdamse Schouwburg, and the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University. With support from: The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation. Awards: Official Selection of the Berlin Theatertreffen 2010.