MAGDALEN to Premiere 8/12 as Part of New York International Fringe Festival

The world premiere of MAGDALEN, written and performed by Erin Layton, will be part of the 16^th Annual New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYC at the Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond Street near Lafayette).

MAGDALEN is inspired by the stories and experiences of the women and girls who were sent away to "wash their sins" in Ireland's commercial Magdalene Laundries run by nuns in the Twentieth Century.   More than 30,000 women – deemed promiscuous and in need of rehabilitation – reportedly passed through the Ireland asylums, which were open until 1996. Long silenced voices spring to life in this one-woman play about the concealed lives hidden behind convent walls.

The production features direction by Julie Kline, with scenic and lighting design by Cat Tate Starmer and graphic design by Arnold Bueso. The production manager is Ashley Theagene, and the stage manager is Katie Barnhard.

Playwright and performer Erin Layton: NYC credits include the two-person adaptation of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (Off-Broadway, Off-Broadway Alliance Nominee), LET US GO THEN, YOU AND I (Undergroundzero Theatre Festival), WEIRD SISTERS, NO EXIT (East Third Ensemble), PITCH (East Coast Artists, LaMaMa), DARGER (Stage Left Studios), PEARL MERCHANT (Threads Theatre Company), among others. Regional credits include CANDLES TO THE SUN (Actors Theatre of Louisville), SALTWATER (InterNational Theatre Collective), THE GREEKS/HECUBA, THE RIVALS (St. Louis Shakespeare Company). Erin has worked as a guest performing artist with Long Island University's Performing Arts Dept. in their productions of FIRES IN THE MIRROR, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, TWELFTH NIGHT and GEORGE DANDIN (The Kumble Theater). MAGDALEN is Erin's first full length play and solo performance previously workshopped at Primary Stages, Stage Left Studios, The Kumble Theater and Harry Warren Theatre. 

Director Julie Kline is a Literary Associate at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, Artistic Associate of Rising Phoenix Repertory, and an Associate Director with Roots & Branches Theater.  As a 2012 SPARC Artist, Julie conceived and directed the original performance piece, SENIORS AND THE CITY: STORIES OF OUR NEW YORK, created and performed by members of the St. Peter's Church Senior Center.  Other recent directing credits include MAGDALEN (Long Island University & Harry Warren Theater), Kristen Palmer's THE STRAY DOG (Rising Phoenix Rep CINO Nights), the ensemble-created LET'S EAT! and GOING DUTCH (Associate Director, Roots & Branches), and Maya Macdonald's THE REALLY IMPORTANT PEOPLE (RPR).  Assistant Director: LADY (Rattlestick), RABBI RABINO (PS 122), TOO MUCH MEMORY (RPR/New York Theatre Workshop).  As an actor, Julie appeared most recently in LEAVE THE BALCONY OPEN at 3 Legged Dog.  BFA in Acting from The Theatre School, DePaul University, Chicago. 

The performance schedule for MAGDALEN is Sunday, August 12 at 9:30 pm; Saturday, August 18 at 1:45 pm; Tuesday, August 21 at 8:00 pm; Wednesday, August 22 at 4:15 pm and Friday, August 24 at 9:00 pm at Venue#9, the Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond Street near Lafayette; Subways: 6 to Bleecker or B/D/F/M to Broadway/Lafayette). Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.fringenyc.org.