Given the climatic events of the past few months, theatregoers may wish to avail themselves of the reading of Karen Malpede’s Extreme Whether, a new play with music (by Arthur Rosen), at the Horticultural Society of New York this Friday, 7 December. The description at the Horticultural Society Web site reads: “Extreme Whether moves between the harsh world of realpolitik and the lush poetry of a vanishing nature. A family divided between climate scientists and industry publicists, struggles over control of an inherited wilderness estate and to make their voices heard. An elderly environmentalist, an eccentric young girl, and a frog complete the cast” — a cast which includes OOB veterans George Bartenieff and Joan MacIntosh. Suggested donation is $10; the reading starts at 6.30pm at 148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor. Seating is limited; you’re encouraged to RSVP via email.

Malpede’s play Another Life will open at the Theatre for the New City in March 2013 in a production by the Theatre Three Collaborative. More information about the play can be found here. I briefly responded (and linked) to Malpede’s Howlround essay “On Being a So-Called Political Playwright” on 8 March 2012 here.