Deirdre O'Connell Stars in The Flea's THE VANDAL World Premiere, Now thru 2/17

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of The Vandal by Hamish Linklater. Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Deirdre O'Connell has replaced Holly Hunter in her role. This limited Off-Broadway engagement begins previews tonight, January 18 with opening slated for January 31. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online at www.theflea.org or by calling 212-352-3101.

Set in Kingston, New York, The Vandal is a startling, funny and dark new play about a woman and a boy who meet at a bus stop on a cold night and the stories they tell to keep each other warm.

Says Simpson, "Most of us know Hamish as being one of his generations most gifted and wonderful stage actors. It was such a surprise to discover that he is also a new playwright of great promise." Adds Linklater, "I'm beyond thrilled that The Flea and Jim (Simpson) have given me this opportunity."

The design team features David M. Barber (Set Designer), Brian Aldous (Lighting Designer), and Claudia Brown (Costume Designer).

Hamish Linklater has worked as an actor in theater/TV/film. NY theater credits include School for Lies at C.S.C. (Lortel, OCC noms, Obie Award), Merchant of Venice, Winter's Tale, Twelfth Night (Drama Desk nom) at the Delacourt, Recent Tragic Events & The Busy World is Hushed (Drama League nom) at Playwrights Horizons, Good Thing at The New Group, and most recently, Seminar at the Golden Theater. Other plays include The Portal and The United Kingdom which have been read and workshopped at The Flea, New York Stage & Film, Williamstown, MTC, and The Echo Theatre in Los Angeles. He co-wrote the TV pilot The Prince of Motor City for ABC. He is best known for his role opposite Julia Louis Dreyfus on The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Deirdre O'Connell is a 2010 Obie and Drama Desk-winner for Circle Mirror Transformation. This distinguished New York stage actress was seen recently in Magic/Bird on Broadway. Her long list of theater credits also include: In the Wake (Los Angeles Ovation Award, TheRichard Seff Actor's Equity Award, Lucille Lortell Nomination, Public Theatre and Center Theater Group), Thinner Than Water (Labyrinth), The Poor Itch (The Public); Rag and Bone (Rattlestick Theatre); Jo Pyretown (Keen Company); Manic Flight Reaction and Spatter Patter (both at Playwrights Horizons); Cave Dweller (NYTW); Big Dance Theater's Antigone; Two Headed (Women's Project); In The Blood (The Public); Fugue (Cherry Lane); Mud (Signature Theatre); 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (The Public); Love and Anger (Drama Desk nom., NYTW); The Geography of Luck, Three Ways Home, Stars in the Morning (Dramalogue Award, Los Angeles Critics Award), Etta Jenks (Dramalogue Award, all at LA Theatre Center); The Front Page (Lincoln Center); and A Lie of the Mind (Promenade Theatre). Films include: Synecdoche, What Happens in Vegas, Imaginary Heroes, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Secondhand Lions, Fearless, The Quitter (upcoming) and Pastime (Nominated for Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Actress). TV includes many guest stars and movies for TV as well as series regular roles on L.A. Doctors and Second Noah.

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