By definition, a Salon is a periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction, noted in literature, philosophy, the fine arts and similar areas.

These ‘fashionable parties’ thrived during the Enlightenment.

Since we find ourselves in a very new age of enlightenment, THALATTA! has graciously borrowed the term for a new century and created our own SALON SERIES. We present this as an opportunity for audience members to participate at earlier stages of our development. Very often, the public only witnesses the final product. THALATTA! believes that an active engagement with our members throughout the creative process can only enhance the final presentation.

Highlights of the SALON SERIES will include the staged readings of new international plays, interactive workshops exploring our training methods and open rehearsals of upcoming productions. Following each of these events will be a discussion at a local restaurant or tavern, where the audience can talk with company members about what they’ve just seen or would like to see in the future.

If you would like to receive more information about the SALON SERIES or would like to make a suggestion, please write us at contact@thalattatheatre.org

THREESOME WITHOUT SIMONE

The first SALON SERIES event was a staged reading of Kristo Sagor’s Threesome without Simone, translated by Chloe Schwank The premiere was directed by Doug Howe and starred Jesse Hooker as Sven, Janio Marrero as Kai and Richard Prioleau Jr. as Andi. Maria McConville played the secretary and read stage directions. The performance took place on November 14th, 2004 at the Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village.

Threesome without Simone is a psychological thriller involving three classmates accused of a horrible crime. Someone assaulted Simone on a school trip to Venice. Now home, her boyfriend, ex-boyfriend and nerdy admirer are summoned to the principal’s office to account for their whereabouts on the night in question. As they anxiously sit in the waiting room, the three suspects interrogate each other and are forced to reveal secrets best kept hidden.

ringfinger – a cabaret about equality

On March 22nd, 2005, THALATTA! Theatre International produced a benefit performance of Patrick Mellen's new solo show, ringfinger – a cabaret about equality. All proceeds were donated to Marriage Equality New York – the statewide, grass-roots organization committed to ending discrimination in civil marriage.

ringfinger – a cabaret about equality was presented at the Triad Theater and featured songs by Nina Simone, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, Tom Waits, Nellie McKay and The Rolling Stones. Patrick was accompanied on the piano by Douglas Maxwell and directed by DJ Salisbury.

Playing the Victim
Staged reading on June 20th, 2005

The title refers to the job the young Valya performs in a crime scene re-enactment squad. Supervised by his foul-mouthed and corrupt captain, Valya 'plays the victims' with suspects who are returned to the scenes of their violent crimes. They are surrounded by active, if bumbling, assistants, including Sergeant Seva and Lyuda, who tapes everything on a video camera.

The Moscow Times says it "has the feel of a watershed...you walk out of the auditorium with the suspicion that the theatrical temperature has changed...Playing the Victim is a major new work, an important new chapter in the history of contemporary drama that is being written before our very eyes."