Anthony Nielson's 'Penetrator' Has NY Premiere May 31

Working Man's Clothes Productions (Winner of 6 2006 NY Innovative Theater Awards for To Nineveh: A Modern Miracle Play) will present the NY Premiere of Anthony Neilson's Penetrator. Performances will run from May 31 to June 23, 2007 at The American Place Theatre (520 8th Ave.) in NYC. Previews begin May 31 for a June 2 opening. Penetrator is directed by Jeremy Torres, with an original score by Adam Smith.

"Playstation, pornography and drug-use are the modus-operandi for two struggling urban roommates, Max and Alan, stereotypes of 20-something American bachelors, whose discussions revolve around pop culture, girls and the ongoing war as seen on TV. When their old friend Woody arrives unexpectedly at their doorstep with nowhere to sleep, their world is turned on its head as they learn that Woody has abandoned his duties as a soldier in Iraq. Max and Alan's friendship is put to the test as they sort out the bizarre stories of Woody's experiences with violent rape and boyhood nostalgia," as the show is described in press notes.

"Written in response to the 1991 Gulf War, Penetrator is a product of the exciting British In-Yer-Face Theatre revolution.  In-yer-face theatre shocks audiences by the extremism of its language and images, unsettles them by its emotional frankness and disturbs them by its acute questioning of moral norms. This updated take on Neilson's 1993 male-psyche-in-crisis play explores the razor-thin lines between friendship and violence, loyalty and sexuality, aggression and humor."

Overseas, Penetrator was produced to acclaim at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs.

The cast includes Jared Culverhouse, Michael Mason and Cole Wimpee. Dramaturgy is by Bekah Brunstetter (To Nineveh). The production team includes Ace Eure (Set Design), Jake Platt (Light Design), Adam Smith (Original Score/Sound Design) and Candace Thompson (Costume Design).

The American Place Theatre is at 520 8 Ave. (22 Floor) between 36 & 37 Streets in NYC. The show plays a limited engagement from May 31 to June 23, 2007. Previews begin 5/31 for a 6/2 opening. It plays Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are $15. To purchase call 212-868-4444 or visit http://www.smarttix.com.

Visit www.inyerface-theatre.com for more information on In-Yer-Face Theatre and www.workingmansclothes.com for more on Working Man's Clothes Productions.

Photo of Michael Mason (Max) by Julie Rossman