Free Interactive Family Show LIFE ON A DESERT ISLAND Set for June 9+30 in Central Park

Theatre-Playground, an international troupe is coming back for the fourth time to New York City to present a popular, interactive family show: Life on a Desert Island today, June 9 and June 30 in Central Park next to the Heckscher playground at 61st & 7th Ave.

Theatre-Playground introduces to kids and adults "theater as a playground" where they can develop their own adventures and play with the theater. Life on a Desert Island tells a story about Robinson Crusoe’s journey in learning to live alone, with no tools, in the wilderness, and to survive all the struggles for daily life's necessities that civilized man takes for granted. Robinson shows various ways to love and respect nature.

In this one-man show about the development of civilization, kids are easily pulled to interact with Robinson. Those who don’t feel like kids anymore can relive their adventures from Daniel Defoe’s classic, or take a break from vibrant New York City, and come to enjoy the advantages of a desert island.

The history of Life on a Desert Island goes back ten years when Theater-Playground first made its unique open-air stage. The producer and director (and co-founders) of the troupe, Biljana Ilic and Vojin Paunovic, initiated this concept in Belgrade, Serbia - their home country. It is an interactive theater for children and family: "the playground is the set!” Theatre-Playground's home stage in Belgrade is made of natural materials and every piece of the set design is also a piece of the playground equipment. Audiences can come and play their adventures on the stage.

This concept is translated into the American version of the show with the set design also made of natural materials. Jason Vance, who plays Robinson Cruse, grew up absorbing all the activities the great outdoors had to offer in rural Virginia. His familiarity of living in synergy with nature gives his performance another dimension as the real man who has lived on a desert island now for almost three centuries - since Defoe's novel was published! Vance has recently appeared in the current and on-going run of The Live-In Theater's "The Lombardi Case" through July, as well as "Court-Martial at Ft. Devens," "The Apocalypse of John," and "References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot."

Ugljesa Sajtinac, whose other shows have also been staged internationally, wrote this loosely-based story about Robison Crusoe and surviving in the wilderness. For Vojin Paunovic, the director, this is his second show that has been running for over a decade. His first professional show, Audience was first staged in Belgrade and performed for twelve years in many countries in Europe and North America.

To learn more about Life on a Desert Island and Theatre-Playground Productions and its creative team, please visit http://www.theatreplayground.com

The only two performances will be on Saturdays, JUNE 9 & 30 at 5pm: CENTRAL PARK next to the Heckscher playground at 61st & 7th Ave. The lawn is outside the Heckscher playground, directly to the right of softball field #2.

No tickets or reservations are needed. Audiences may bring blankets and folding chairs. For show information and schedule, please visit the Theatre-Playground website: http://theatreplayground.com or call (646) 964-7007.

More Articles by This Author...