Breathing Time Machine's PANORAMANIA Comes to FringeNYC, 8/11-26

{Breathing Time Machine} presents PANORAMANIA as part of the 16th annual New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYC. Written by David Jackson and Directed by Jacob Sexton, with Music by PartyFolk and Video by Closing Eye Studios. Mentored by historian Roger Panetta, Ph.D.

The show plays Venue #14, New Ohio Theatre - 154 Christopher Street, W. Village, and runs 8/11 @ 4:30; 8/12 @ 8:45; 8/14 @ 7:00; 8/17 @ 2:00; 8/26 @ 3:45.

A panoramic, folk-infused, multi-media view of the life of John Banvard (1815-91), the unknown painter of the original "moving image."

If you consider the "moving image" to be a major part of our world today, then you should know the name: John Banvard (bon-verd), the artist who single-handedly painted its predecessor on a canvas more than a quarter mile long in the middle of the nineteenth century. On June 29, 1846, John Banvard unveiled his "Grand Moving Panorama of the Mississippi" at the Apollo Rooms in Louisville, KY. His show was a rollicking success; so much so, that he even took it on tour to Queen Victoria. At the peak of his career, John Banvard was the wealthiest artist in the world; but, by the time it reached its nadir, he had been reduced to a pauper's burial in Watertown, South Dakota. John Banvard squandered his life's savings in an attempt to put his panoramic device at the center of a play on Broadway. Today, we wonder: how can we make John Banvard's dream come true?

This project began as a history term paper at Fordham University Lincoln Center, and, after more than a year of research and development, it has grown into a fully realized production through the generous support of a Fordham University Research Grant.

Banvard's life story includes a cross-cultural dialogue with the United Kingdom and the Holy Land. Actress Sarah Hegarty is from the UK, and Actor/PartyFolk front man Noah Chase is from Israel.

It's a bit of a Forrest Gump story, set in the 1800's: John Banvard encounters many prominent historical figures, including: P.T. Barnum, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Henry David Thoreau and more!

Cast: Introducing R.J. Vaillancourt as John Banvard, with Kabby Borders, Noah Chase,
Tyler Gattoni, Sarah Hegarty, Erica Hernandez, Leah Latella, Brendan McDonough,
Emily Rose Prats, Blake Sugarman, and Brandon Zelman.

Projections by Jonathan Bremner, sets by Edward Ross, costumes by Isabelle Simone, lights by Megan Lang, & props by Will Barrios. Music by PartyFolk (Leah Latella & Noah Chase).

{Breathing Time Machine} bridges the gap between oppositions of old in order to create something new. Through the collision of theatrical and cinematic techniques, conventional and eccentric sensibilities, and natural and societal expectations, we aspire to break down traditional divisions in the theatre. We want to collaboratively create interdisciplinary art. To us, {Breathing Time Machine} encapsulates our goal: to explore the interplay between the organic (breath) and the artificial (time machine). Co-Artistic Directors: David Jackson & Jacob Sexton. {BTM} is a Brooklyn-based company.

For more information, visit www.panoramaplay.com and www.wearepartyfolk.com.

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