THE CHESS LESSON Adds 1/27 Performance

Due to popular demand, Slightly Altered States Theater Company announces the additional performance of World Premiere of THE CHESS LESSON, an absurdist comedy by Sari Caine, a chess champion and teacher. The added performance will take place on Sunday, January 27 at 9pm at IRT Theater.

By audience request, the company will also offer a free beginners chess lesson sponsored by The Chess Forum on Saturday, January 26 from 12:30pm - 2pm at IRT. Taught by Sari Caine and David Crommett, it is open to the public and appropriate for ages 8 and up. To participate, you must RSVP to sastheatercompany@gmail.com.

In THE CHESS LESSON, three very different parents have come to take a chess class with their children's teacher. Despite everyone's best intentions, the adults keep turning into children, the class keeps slipping out of control, and the teacher is one romance novel away from a nervous breakdown. Four strangers all at a crossroads, alone together in a classroom for children, have no choice but to examine who they are, and remember who they were.

Directed by Eliza Beth Miller, THE CHESS LESSON stars David Crommett, Sari Caine, David Rigo and Meg Fee, with a production team that includes Daryl Embry (set), Derek Wright (lighting), Andre Fratto (sound), Zach Tait (stage manager) and Sonya Sobieski (dramaturg). It was developed through residencies at Space on Ryder Farm, Jimmy's No. 43, IRT, and with a donation from the Sidney and Beatrice Albert Foundation.

Sari Caine (Teacher/Playwright/Artistic Director/Co-Founder SAS) is a NYC bred playwright, actress, and chess instructor. Her plays have been produced at IRT, Jimmy's No. 43, Roy Arias Theater, and The Strawberry Festival. As a competitive chess player, she placed 10th in the country in the junior high division, and won city-wide tournaments. Named "The Best Beginner Chess Teacher in NYC" on Mommypoppins.com, she's taught in every borough since she was 13, teaching for over two dozen programs, including the Montessori Schools, NY Public Libraries and The Harlem Children Zone. She is an Artistic Associate with Purple Rep Theater Company. As an actress she has appeared off and off off broadway in The Crucible, Hey You Lightman, Picasso at the Lapin-Agile, The Children's Hour with Kate Burton, A Change Of Address with Allison Janney, Schoolhouse Theater: Imaginary Invalids, The Crucible, and shows at Circle in the Square, EST, York Theater, St Clements, La Mama, and Arclight. Film includes Mr Destiny, June Roses, The Year of the Nail, Artworks.

Slightly Altered States is a not-for-profit theater company made up of actors, writers, and improvisers. The company devoted to darkly funny, slightly absurd material that deals truthfully with the extraordinary in everyday circumstances. Since its inception in 2011 under Artistic Director Sari Caine and Managing Director David Rigo, Slightly Altered States has been the recipients of residencies at IRT, Space on Ryder Farm, Jimmy's No. 43, and Manhattan Theater Source. For more information, visit www.slightlyaltered.org.

THE CHESS LESSON runs through January 27, Thursday - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm & 9pm. IRT Theater is located at 154 Christopher Street between West and Washington Streets -- accessible from the 1 train to Christopher Street or the A, C, E, B, D, F, or M trains at West 4th Street. Running time is 65 minutes. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door and can be purchased at 1-800-838-3006 or BrownPaperTickets.com.