East Hampton - Solar Contemporary Art and Design and The Box Productions announce an original short performance piece by award-winning cast and director to take place on-site at Solar in East Hampton.

La Cueca is an original short play by Andrea Goldman that examines the idea of memory and forgiveness. Taking place in Pinochet's Chile, two actors find themselves buried alive at the beginning of the play. As they fight against the obvious obstacles of running out of air, they also struggle with one another, attempting to unbury themselves from the heavy guilt and pain accumulated during the 15 years of their marriage. The dialogue oscillates between realism and surrealism, mirroring the poet's sanctuary of expression under censorship. And reflecting how at times it is easiest to face the harshest reality, as though it were only a dream.

Solar owner and director, Esperanza León, and Goldman felt that the experience of this play needed to be one in which the audience was buried alongside the actors, breathing the same air, living the same story. Thus the Solar space provides the perfect location to share the intimate experience of these two characters. "It also makes perfect sense that it's underground," says Goldman, "The performance actually begins the moment the audience members walk down the stairs, leaving the world they know and entering into the world of these two characters, Sonia and Howard."

Ben Sargent, award-winning actor and Studio Six company member who trained with the Moscow Art Theater, will be making his directorial debut with this piece. The creative process in this case was an interesting one in which the actors and the director worked incredibly slowly to take the play apart and put it back together. The European direction allowed for much more detail than traditionally allotted to American productions. "We really wanted the piece to come alive, which is so important because the set and lighting is minimal. This is all about these two characters and their story," says Sargent.

Film and stage actors Abraham De Funes(Franklin and Colin Hearts Kay) and Andrea Goldman(Frankenstein, 1/20) co-star in this unique theater experience. "I really wanted to erase the fourth wall as much as possible. This isn't about performing for an audience, it's about living through this with them," says Goldman.

Performances will be held on February 25 and Febraury 26 at 7 p.m. followed by Wine/Pisco Reception with cast and director. Space is limited. Advanced reservations strongly recommended. Prices are $20/$18 Seniors. Reservations and directions online at www.lacueca.com.

Warning: Performance experience may be intense and visceral for some persons.