Alan Ayckbourn's HERO'S WELCOME & CONFUSIONS to Run in Rep as Part of Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters

59E59 Theaters will welcome the Stephen Joseph Theatre back to Brits Off Broadway with the NYC premieres of HERO'S WELCOME and CONFUSIONS, written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn. HERO'S WELCOME begins performances on Thursday, May 26 for a limited engagement through Saturday, July 2. Opening Night is Thursday, June 9 at 7 PM. CONFUSIONS begins performances on Saturday, May 28 for a limited engagement through Sunday, July 3. Opening Night is Wednesday, June 8 at 7 PM. The shows run in rep with a general performance schedule of Tuesday - Thursday at 7 PM; Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM & 7 PM. Please see the performance calendar for the individual show schedules. Single tickets for HERO'S WELCOME and CONFUSIONS are $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org.

Written 40 years apart, the NYC premiere of CONFUSIONS, one of Alan Ayckbourn's most popular and studied plays, is joined by the US premiere of HERO'S WELCOME, his latest (and 79th!) play.

About HERO'S WELCOME:

Seventeen years ago, Murray fled the neighborhood under somewhat of a cloud and certain local folk have long memories, not least Alice, the mayor, whom he left standing at the altar. Indeed, few of his friends - once the welcome flags have stopped waving and the town band has ceased playing - seem particularly happy to see him back. Murray's declared intention of staying put and settling down with his new bride threatens to stir up all sorts of old rivalries and resentments. Suddenly the couple, in search of peace, find themselves once more in the firing line.

The Guardian said, "Ayckbourn's talent for recording the wanton damage we do to each other remains undiminished." And the Daily Mail said "storytelling that holds you to the end."

The cast for HERO'S WELCOME features Stephen Billington, Elizabeth Boag, Russell Dixon, Evelyn Hoskins, Charlotte Harwood, and Richard Stacey.

About CONFUSIONS:

From a devoted and isolated mother, to her unfaithful travelling salesman husband, through a solicitous waiter to well-heeled diners and an utterly shambolic garden fete, human frailty is laid bare as one hilarious situation after another unfolds. Each of the plays connects to the next through one of its characters until the final one is reached when four people sit alone on park benches. From high farce to poignant observation; the laughs, however dark, keep coming.

Alan Ayckbourn's 1974 play, one of the most popular and studied plays of the last 40 years, comes to New York City for the first time.

The Independent called CONFUSIONS "funny, touching and clever." And The Guardian said it had "an exceptional cast" and that it offered "a masterclass in comic acting...the laughter is infectious!"

The cast for CONFUSIONS features Stephen Billington, Elizabeth Boag, Russell Dixon, Charlotte Harwood, and Richard Stacey.

The design team for both plays is Jason Taylor (lighting designer) and Michael Holt (production designer). The production stage manager is Veronica Aglow.