Cell Theatre Hosts First Reading of 'The 99th Monkey'

The Cell Theatre presents a free reading of the new original play, “The 99th Monkey” by Paul Adamian on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at 7:30 PM. The Cell Theatre is located at 700 First Street NW in Albuquerque. The 99th Monkey, a play in two acts, is set in the early months of 2003 prior to the Iraq War. MARK FARRELL, a high school history teacher, and veteran of the Gulf War/Desert Storm and the “Bulldozer Assault” of 1991, joins a global protest against America’s penchant for war; a routine rotation fast for peace that escalates into an ultimatum and a full blown starvation protest to stop the impending military action against Iraq.

Wrestling with his decision are his wife, ABBEY, a fellow peace-activist in her own right, his father, TOM, a regular army man, who never saw action in a twenty-plus-year career, and CHLOE, his 17 yr. old daughter, who idolizes her father, and whose voice renders the play to us. As Mark’s “sphere of influence” grows, it attracts visits from THE MAN and THE STRANGER, who round out the cast. Commencing with a curriculum proposal to help teenage mothers stay in school, weekend marches for peace, a few inspiring lectures, and a Teacher of the Year nomination, Mark’s decision soon unveils a troubled ex-soldier’s search for redemption and forgiveness.