THEATER

"Magenta" to make NYC debut at Thespis fest

Ilana Keller
@ilanakeller
  • “Discovering Magenta” will make its New York City debut on Sept.1 as part of the Thespis Theater Festival
  • “Discovering Magenta” debuts at the Hudson Guild Theater at 441 W 26th Street, Manhattan
  • The show runs runs for three performances: Sept. 1 at 6:15 p.m., Sept. 5 at 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.

“Discovering Magenta” is a psychological thriller that tackles issues of mental health, mysterious pasts and the search for fulfillment  -- oh, and it’s a musical.

The new production will make its New York City debut on Sept.1 as part of the Thespis Theater Festival.

“Discovering Magenta” tells the story of a mental health worker trying to help a catatonic patient with demons of her own, with help from his friends and colleagues.

James C. Kaufman, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, and leading expert in the study of creativity, wrote the book and lyrics.

James C. Kaufman

Kaufman, who previously worked at Educational Testing Service in Ewing while living in New Jersey, began work on the show (“a very different musical”) as an undergraduate student in college, and has revised it many times along the way.

The show’s latest revamp came after composer Michael Bitterman submitted it to the Thespis festival and it was accepted.

“I put some things on hold, revisiting it, cutting it, changing it,” Kaufman said. “I wrote a couple new songs. It’s fun and terrifying. It has changed a great deal as I changed. When I first wrote it, the characters were younger, looking for love and excitement. Now they’re older, looking for their meaning in life.”

Collaborating on the show has allowed competing sides of Kaufman’s brain to work off one another, he said. “What’s interesting is that about 15 years ago I made a shift from actively being creative as a writer to studying as a psychologist,” he said. He says he is able to step back and analyze his writing process as a researcher, yet as a writer remains superstitious while gaining these insights.

It also helped him gain perspective as a professor. “In one of my creativity classes, I make my students do something creatively and I now realize how scary and risky that can be,” he said. “The table read was like being caught naked in public.”

Bitterman has composed other musicals including “Five After Eight,” which ran off-Broadway in 1979 and was recorded by Original Cast Records, “We’re Not Who We Think We Are,” “Demigod of E. 78th Street,” “The Cellar” and “Forlorn Hope: The Donner Party Musical.”

Kaufman is the author of many short plays that have been produced off-Broadway and in festivals around the world. He also is the author/editor of more than 30 books.

“Discovering Magenta” debuts at the Hudson Guild Theater at 441 W. 26th St. in Manhattan, and runs for three performances: 6:15 p.m. Sept. 1, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 5 and 1 p.m. Sept. 6. The show is directed by Valeria Cossu, who is joined by a creative team featuring Alex Tenenbaum (stage manager), David Rosenberg (music director), Yaya Zeevi (scenic designer), Sarah S. Parks (stage combat choreographer), Patrick Bakalli (lighting designer), Taylor Garcia (production assistant) and Solomon Hoffman (orchestrations).

Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door and can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1697182. Learn more at www.discoveringmagenta.com or https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveringMagenta.

Ilana Keller: 732-643-4260; ikeller@gannettnj.com. Twitter.com/ilanakeller

"Discovering Magenta"

WHERE: Hudson Guild Theater at 441 W. 26th St., Manhattan

WHEN:  6:15 p.m. Sept. 1, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 5 and 1 p.m. Sept. 6

HOW MUCH: $20

MORE INFO: www.discoveringmagenta.com  or https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveringMagenta