13P, in association with True Love Productions, presents Melancholy Play (a new chamber piece) by Sarah Ruhl. For the final production of 13P’s 13-play mission as a company, Sarah Ruhl (P#13) transforms her old play into a new chamber piece with composer Todd Almond. An unexpected story of melancholy in a post-pharmaceutical world, Melancholy Play is an irrational play with a highly rational string quartet.
“I am thrilled to finally be working with 13P after a long ten years of waiting and watching my colleagues’ plays with intense pleasure and admiration. While I am saddened by our coming implosion, I am happy to be a part of celebrating a decade of anarchistic, loving consensus and art-making.” -Sarah Ruhl, P#13
13P (Thirteen Playwrights, Inc.) was formed in 2003 by 13 midcareer playwrights concerned about what the trend of endless readings and new play development programs is doing to the texture and ambition of new American plays. We decided we were ready to take matters into our own hands. 13P realizes full productions of new plays. The resources of the company are placed at the disposal of the playwright at work, who serves as the company’s artistic director during the production of her play. 13P was the recipient of a 2005 Obie Grant. In their citation, the judges wrote: “Not since Circle Repertory have we seen playwrights in New York forging a home for each other.”