GIVE THANKS was a variety show benefit to raise money for the Cambodian Childrens Fund that was held on November 16th, 2008 at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, Brooklyn. GIVE THANKS was hosted by burlesque performer and MC, The World Famous Bob and actress Dana Perry. Two Pieces of choreography by Rachel Klein, MEDUSA and SWEETER THAN WINE, were performed .

MEDUSA

A dance and pantomime reimagining of the myth perfomed with human marionette sequences, fight dance choreography, and lots and lots of glitter.

Starring Elizabeth Stewart as Medusa and Michael Porsche as Perseus.

Featuring Megan O'Connor, Ben Forster, Robyn Nielsen, and Fara D'Aguiar.

Costumes by Emily Taradash, Wig and Make-up by Rachel Klein and Emily Taradash.

SWEETER THAN WINE

Two all-American, naive beauty queens become tainted by the alluring, stoic voice of Lou Reed. SWEETER THAN WINE is a darkly rooted, abstract compliation of singing, acting, performance art, and striptease.

Featuring Jillaine Gill and Dana Perry.

AENIGMA

AENIGMA is a new play written by playwright and filmmaker Sean Gill.

AENIGMA pendulates between the absurdly comic and the genuinely disturbing as two show-biz sisters must cope with a series of increasingly appalling events which eventually take a turn for the fantastic. Told with an inventive flashback structure which incorporates multiple points-of-view and even the live action staging of a videotape playback, Aenigma delights in literally and figuratively “twisted” storytelling.

AENIGMA was performed as one half of the horror double feature Something Weird...in the Red Room produced by Rachel Klein in assoication with Junta Juleil Theatricals, LTD. AENIGMA Performed October 7th through October 31st, 2008 at the Red Room Theater in Manhattan. AENIGMA was directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein.

Featuring: Jillaine Gill, Elizabeth Stewart, Bret Jaspers, Rob Richardson, Dasha Kittredge, Claire Sansaricq, and Christopher Loar.

Costume Design by Emily Dorwart, Makeup Design by Anita Rundles, Lighting Design by Lisa Soverino.

Original Composition by Sean Gill and John Gill.

SIR SHEEVER

SIR SHEEVER, written by Benjamin Spiro, is a creepy, comedic play about a demented heiress who forms her own twisted Addams Family from four department store mannequins. When an intruder unwittingly becomes her new playmate, it is only a matter of time before tea parties and temper tantrums become unbearable for the living. Meanwhile, the mannequins are a little livelier than they ought to be, and they want to play a few games of their own. There’s no telling what sinister plans might hide behind these glassy eyes. They’re the kind of dolls that you’ll want to pull to pieces.

SIR SHEEVER was performed as one half of the horror double feature Something Weird...in the Red Room, produced by Rachel Klein in assoication with Junta Juleil Theatricals, LTD. SIR SHEEVER Performed October 7th through October 31st, 2008 at the Red Room Theater in Manhattan. SIR SHEEVER was directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein.

Featuring Kari Warchock, Bret Haines, Megan O'Connor, Michael Porsche, Ted Caine, Abigail Hawk, and Dasha Kittredge.

Costume Design by Rachel Klein, Makeup Design by Anita Rundles, Lighting Design by Lisa Soverino.

ALL KINDS OF SHIFTY VILLAINS

A Carnival Noir

Written by Robert Attenweiler, directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein.

ALL KINDS OF SHIFTY VILLAINS follows private detective Max Quarterhorse as he winds his way through a dark and seedy underworld filled with beautiful but manipulative women, lowlife villains, vagrants, and … um, clowns… all of whom are likely plotting his doom.
Dick Tracy meets Tom Waits in this carnival noir, blending elements of circus and dance with 1930’s crime fiction.

ALL KINDS OF SHIFTY VILLAINS was performed as a co-production of Rachel Klein Productions and Disgraced Productions at the Kraine Theater from June 12th through June 28th, 2008.

Featuring: Joe Stipek, Elizabeth Stewart, Kari Warchock, Bret Haines, Nathan Williams, Michael Porsche, Rob Richardson, Christine Holt, Christopher Loar, Jonathan Levy, and Erik Dies.

Costume Design by Emily Taradash, Make-up Design by Anita Rundles, Set Design by Bret Haines, and Lighting Design by Lisa Soverino.

METRO

Created, Directed, and Choreographed by Rachel Klein. METRO is a visual journey on a crowded subway that keeps stalling. Each scene in METRO delves into the imagination, emotional state, or claustrophobic frustration of each passenger. Each character's inner state is presented with heightened performace including clown, acrobatics, ballet, and tableux.

METRO was performed at the Bushwick Starr from March 6th through March 8th, 2008. Produced by Rachel Klein.

Featuring: Michael Porsche, Kari Warchock, Elizabeth Stewart, Ophra Wolf, Rob Lok, Carol Lee Sirugo, Kathleen Schlemmer, and Daren Taylor.

Costume Design by Emily Taradash, Lighting Design by Lisa Soverino.

Original Composition by Greg Hennigan.

 

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

Adapted from the Oscar Wilde short story.

Directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein.

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST is the story of a family that moves into the haunted Canterville Manor. Once confronted by the evil ghost of Lord Canterville, the family's nonchalant attitude and the children's practical jokes only devastate the poor ghost. Performed through narration, movement and circus tricks, the story is both visual and literary.

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST was performed as part of the Open Studios Festival at the Bushwick Starr in June, 2007.

Featuring: Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Abigail Hawk, Kirsten Kollander, Dan Berkley, Gautham Prasad, and Kyle Haggerty.