By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
TREASURE COAST -- A Port St. Lucie man is looking to revive an art form he describes as the "hippy play," and he wants the help of local artists to do it.
Dante John Nazzaro, a playwright who founded the Organic Theatre Company in Jensen Beach in 1997, is looking to stage a revival of the type of plays popular in the 1960s.
He's issued an open call for actors, writers, musicians and other artists to start working on productions they'll stage at Rooster's Daytime Café in Jensen Beach, beginning as early as January.
"The '60s was an era of peace and love, the era of 'Godspell,' 'Hairspray' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar,'" he said. "These plays would be an extension of that."
He's looking for about 10 actors to cast two plays. The first production, called "The Marriage of the Universe," has been staged in Jensen Beach and New Jersey. It tells the story of a mystical union ceremony that unites the world.
The other play, called "The Dictionary," is the work of Port St. Lucie writer Janet Smith. It's the story of a woman who sits on a park bench and speaks only the truth to everyone she encounters.
The concept of an organic theater centers on the idea of artists working together and allowing their work to naturally evolve.
About 10 actors, musicians, singers and writers have responded to the call so far.
TJ Kronowit, co-owner of Roosters Daytime Café, said she welcomes the idea and the local effort to revive a genre.
"Dante is a free spirit, free thinker. He has had his organic theater in the community for several years before, and I think the community could use something like that again," she said. "There's a resurgence of poets, writers and musicians coming to the area, and there's a really good atmosphere and energy when they all get together."
Roosters, located at 891 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., closes after lunch. The theater troupe will resume meeting at the café on Monday and Tuesday evenings in January. Members will also use the space there, which allows sitting room for about 50, to stage productions.
For more information, call (302) 569-0860.