NACL brings Brecht to life

HIGHLAND LAKE, NY — NACL Theatre will present a program, “10 Brecht Poems,” on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m.

The work, created in 2003, will return to NACL after over 40 engagements in venues that have included The Goethe Institute in Washington DC, the Brecht Forum in New York City, Theatre Building Chicago, Maryland Ensemble Theatre and Rutgers University. It is a collaboration between NACL’s Tannis Kowalchuk and Leese Walker of Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble.

The two women began to create the performance—a vaudevillian presentation of poems by the great German playwright Bertolt Brecht—in 2001, and premiered it at The Brecht Forum in New York City in 2003. It is filled with songs, epic theatrical moments, show tunes and some hard-line anti-war sentiment contained in the excellent poetry of Brecht. The words were written over 60 years ago, but it remains relevant still today.

The Village Voice wrote, “Tannis Kowalchuk and Leese Walker could be serving fairy tales to the kiddies, but their intent is far more poignant and appreciated.”

This is a performance for ages 10 and up. Tickets cost $15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors.

For more information visit nacl.org or call 845/557-0694.