Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA

Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Melissa James Gibson 's WHAT RYHMES WITH AMERICA, starring Atlantic ensemble member Chris Bauer leading a cast featuring Aimee Carrero , Seana Kofoed and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, directed by Daniel Aukin . WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA began previews Monday, November 19; officially opened last night, December 12; and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, December 30, 2012 off-Broadway at Atlantic's main stage Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street). Check out photos from opening night below!

A father (Bauer) and his teenage daughter (Carrero) stand on either side of a closed door. Life is unraveling for him, and is entirely uncertain for her. So begins Melissa James Gibson's poignant, funny new play about estrangement and the partially examined life.

Playwright Melissa James Gibson makes her Atlantic Theater Company debut following her acclaimed Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist play This playing Off-Broadway. She received an Obie Award for her play [sic], and the prestigious 2011 Steinberg Playwright Award for her body of work. Gibson wrote the screenplay for the Untitled Christmas Tree Project, starring Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd, and is currently a staff writer on the new FX show "The Americans."

Director Daniel Aukin recently staged Joshua Harmon's play Bad Jews and Sam Shepard's Heartless Off-Broadway and 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog at Lincoln Center. This production marks his fifth collaboration with Gibson, after staging her plays This, Current Nobody, [sic] and Suitcase.

Atlantic Theater Company AT THE LINDA GROSS THEATER is located at 336 West 20th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues). The production plays Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 3pm and Sunday at 7pm. Wednesday matinees at 2pm on December 19 and December 26. No Sunday 7pm performances on December 9 and December 23. All tickets are $70.00 and available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 (www.ticketcentral.com) or at the Atlantic Stage 2 box office at 330 West 16th Street.

For more information, visit www.atlantictheater.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Atlantic Theater Company's 'What Rhymes with America'

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Chris Bauer, Aimee Carrero & Seana Kofoed

Chris Bauer

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Chris Bauer, Aimee Carrero & Seana Kofoed

Chris Bauer & Aimee Carrero

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Chris Bauer, Aimee Carrero & Seana Kofoed

Chris Bauer

Neil Pepe

Neil Pepe & Amanda Green

Daniel Aukin

Mary McCann

Chris Bauer

Daniel Aukin, Chris Bauer and Melissa James Gibson

Melissa James Gibson & Daniel Aukin

Adam Rapp

Chester Gregory

Mary McCann & Chris Bauer

Jeffory Lawson & Mary McCann

Seana Kofoed

Seana Kofoed & Chris Bauer

Aimee Carrero

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Chester Gregory & Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Da'Vine Joy Randolph & Chris Bauer

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Chris Bauer, Seana Kofoed & Aimee Carrero

BWW Hi-Res Gallery - Original Version

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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