The C. G. Jung Center at 408 Franklin Street

Film Sundays, 3 pm, followed by Potluck 

My Dinner with Andre, October 7^th, 2007

Vanya on 42^nd Street, October 21^st, 2007

 presented by

Richard Mennen

These Louis Malle films both feature Wallace Shawn (as himself and co-author of ‘My Dinner’ and ‘Uncle Vanya’). Both feature Andre Gregory in various roles. My Dinner with Andre was enormously popular and controversial during the 1980's and made Gregory, who was prominent in the international avant garde theatre scene, into something of a New Age cult figure. The film goes beyond the autobiographical into realms that are far more universal. Vanya on 42nd Street includes a rehearsal directed by Gregory of Chechov's Uncle Vanya in an abandoned theatre on 42nd St. Vanya on 42^nd Street is an answer to the existential questions posed in My Dinner with Andre and provides perspective on existential crises presented by Chechov's play.  Both films raise issues related to depth psychology.

Richard Mennen met Andre Gregory though their participation in large international conferences held in Poland 

in 1978 and Milan in 1979 about the post-theatre work of Jerzy Grotowski. Mennen holds a Ph.D. in theatre and 

taught and directed (including Chechov) at five universities before coming to UB, where he is now Professor Emeritus.  

He produced several projects with Grotowski. 

He has been a board member at APS since 1989 and served as president and vice-president for several terms.

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