The Mystery of Claywoman - Abrons Art Center - Jan 21, 22, 28, 29, Feb 4, 5 2012

[Sam Orlando]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
'THE MYSTERY OF CLAYWOMAN'
[http://gallery.mailchimp.com/fe9caaa41a59c890f60e3c274/images/claysquare.jpg]
Written by Michael Cavadias. Directed by Rob Roth.
ABRONS ART CENTER, NYC
January 21, 22, 28, 29, February 4, 5
8 pm | $20
"Wildly witty" - Michael Musto, Village Voice

"Funny, uncomfortable and depressing - in that order." - Paper Magazine



(January 21, 2012 - New York, NY) Blending live performance and film, The Mystery Of Claywoman is the story of Claywoman (Michael Cavadias), a 500-million year old enigma who, legend has it, can cure anyone of their deepest pain. She, along with her canine musical traveling companion 'Craig' (Rob Roth), travels the universe searching for souls to heal and planets to save.

The Mystery of Claywoman begins with a 'found, unfinished, severely damaged and restored' documentary film that introduces the theories and mythology surrounding the Claywoman character. This mockumentary raises questions concerning our need for faith, ritual and validation through interviews with characters played by such performers as Alan Cumming, Edgar Oliver, Amy Poehler, Justin Bond, Debbie Harry, and Ruth Maleczech.

With irony and wit, this fictional film sets the stage for the live lecture. Commenting on our 'need for answers', the lecture explores the scientific and historical evolution of humanity from the perspective of this supposed 500,000,000-year-old extraterrestrial.

Special guests will introduce this latest version of the performance every night including Ana Matronic (Scissor Sisters), Michael Musto (Village Voice), John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) Kembra Pfahler (The Voluptuous Horror Of Karen Black), and Rachelle Garniez (Citizens Band).


Abrons Arts Center,
466 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002
Trains: F/M or J/Z to Delancey/Essex

www.abronsartscenter.org<http://www.abronsartscenter.org>

Tickets here.
http://support.henrystreet.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AAC_PERF_claywoman<http://rob-roth.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=fe9caaa41a59c890f60e3c274&id=46007b7a89&e=3619ef9bcb>



Claywoman debuted in 2008 and played at a variety of venues in New York City including Deitch Gallery, The New Museum for Contemporary Art and The Wild Project. Recently Claywoman was part of the 1st Annual Afterglow Festival in Provincetown, MA.

Film and performance directed by Rob Roth & written by Michael Cavadias
Michael Cavadias as 'Claywoman'
Rob Roth as 'Craig'
Cellist Chad Hammer
Lighting Design by Ben Kato
Makeup by Courtney Tichman, Ruthie Weems, Jacqueline Valega,
Costume Design 'Claywoman' by Todd Thomas, 'Craig' by Kitty Boots
Production Manager Ana Mari de Quesada

Rob Roth (Director, Performer)
New York City-born director, performer, visual artist Rob Roth's work draws from photography, video, painting and dramaturgy to create experiences that blend media and performance into a lyrical spectacle. His work has been presented at the New Museum for Contemporary Art, Performance Space122, Abrons Arts Center, Wild Project, Galapagos Art Space and Deitch Projects as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art. Roth is a co-founder of 'Click + Drag', the infamous Saturday night party at the legendary nightclub Mother, which is now a yearly gathering of the tribes. As a director and video artist Roth has worked for such artists as Deborah Harry/Blondie, Theo Kogan (Lunachicks) Justin Bond, Narcissister, Big Art Group and performance artist Julie Tolentino. Roth's most recent work includes Nightvision, a live performance with Marti Domination (Matthew Barney's Cremaster 1), as well as Degrees of Freedom, a sound/video sculpture presented in the London Biennale NYC Satellite Event at Christopher Henry Gallery. Previously, Rob Roth directed The Mystery of Claywoman: Screening and Lecture, a mockumentary/theater piece written and performed by Michael Cavadias, featuring Amy Poehler, Alan Cumming and Edgar Oliver. Claywoman follows Roth's award winning rock opera, Screen Test, starring Theo Kogan and choreographed by Vangeline Theater. Screen Test has been chosen to be featured in the Prague Quadrennial 2011 representing American Theater.

Michael Cavadias (Writer, Performer)
Actor/performer and writer Michael Cavadias graduated from the Experimental Theatre Wing at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts where he studied with the likes of Andre Gregory and went on to perform with Mabou Mines E.T.C., Blacklips Performance Cult (founded by Antony of Antony and the Johnsons). He developed the character, Claywoman, at Blacklips and then with Mabou Mines as a part of their resident artist program. He has acted in many films, including Wonder Boys (alongside Michael Douglas and Robert Downey Jr.), Seeing You In Circles, and Gypsy 83. Television appearances include New York Undercover, Third Watch and All I Want, a documentary about Rufus Wainwright. Michael fronted the rock band Bullet whose songs were featured in the film The Safety of Objects and he is currently a featured performer with the acclaimed political cabaret The Citizens Band. He recently wrote and performed as Claywoman in The Mystery of Claywoman (directed by Rob Roth) at Deitch Projects, The New Museum for Contemporary Art, The Wild Project and opened for Antony and the Johnsons at Town Hall. In this piece, Michael utilized Butoh dance movement techniques with the aid of Vangeline France as well as extensive character work to bring this 500 million year old enigma to life.

Photos by Ves Pitts and Toby Tenenbaum

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Sam Orlando
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