50 SHADES OF F***** UP Begins Performances 5/19 at Sophie's Broadway

Who's counting? A new unauthorized musical parody of the international best-selling behemoth "50 Shades of Grey" takes up residence at Sophie's Broadway, 318 West 53rd Street, beginning Monday May 12. Written, directed and choreographed by Tricia Brouk, with original songs by Andrew David Sotomayor, "50 Shades of F****d Up" bursts on the scene from out of nowhere and will be the only unauthorized musical parody north of Times Square.

It opens, and boy does it open, on Monday May 19 at 7pm. Performances are Saturday at 7pm & 10pm and Mondays at 7pm. For tickets call Ovation Tix at 866/811-4111 or visit www.50shadesfdup.com.

A parody of a parody, "50 Shades of F****d Up" has dark fun bringing out the humor of this self-serious popular phenomenon. When Anastasia Steele, the naïve and bookish college student who does not own a computer and has never masturbated, falls head over heels for Christian Grey -- the dashing, dancing billionaire shipping magnate -- our story seems destined for a wonderful sunset. It's the happy ending we've all been dreaming of... when our young maiden is rescued and made to feel safe, and then allows that she really wanted to be smacked around in the bedroom. Except in this twist on the old story by E.L. James, the power dynamics are a lot more dynamic!

Brouk has whipped together a cast of four that includes Jenna Dallacco as Anastasia, Ben McHugh as Grey, and -- in multiple roles -- Krista DeMille and Cedric Leiba, Jr., who is most penetrating as everyone's Inner Goddess.

A veteran burlesque director and choreographer from top to bottom, Brouk brooks no nonsense as she reveals the deeper attractions in male-female interplay in the 21st century. She has directed and choreographed "Broadway Varietease," "Erotic Broadway: Vintage Variety," and "Tokio Confidential" at Atlantic Stage 2. In addition to "The Zombies: A Musical" her choreography credits run the gamut from television (Capital One and the Travel Channel) to film -- "Romance and Cigarettes," "Rescue Me," and "The Hoax." Sotomayor, who leads a band of two, is also responsible for the arrangements. His music directing credits include "Cutman: a boxing musical," "Frankie and Debbie: Live at the Martini Lounge," and "Erotic Broadway: Vintage Variety." His composed the scores for "Bent" and the short films "Cuba 1961: A Love Story" and "Timeless."

"50 Shades of F****d Up" plays an open engagement, scheduled through Monday June 7 at Sophie's Broadway, 318 West 53rd Street, beginning Monday May 12 at 7pm, with an opening on Monday May 19 at 7pm. Performances are Saturday at 7pm & 10pm and Mondays at 7pm. For tickets, which are $39.69 (+ a 2-drink minimum), call 866/811-4111 or visit www.50shadesfdup.com (Running time is 80 minutes.)