Ars Nova Sets SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS Cast; OBIE Winner Rachel Chavkin to Direct

New York City's premier development hub and acclaimed new work producer Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Renee Blinkwolt, Managing Director) has announced casting for the world premiere of Small Mouth Sounds, a new play by Bess Wohl, directed by OBIE Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated March 10 - April 11 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Official Opening Night is Monday, March 23.

Small Mouth Sounds features Jessica Almasy (A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes), Marcia DeBonis (Television: "Homeland"), OBIE Award-winner Jojo Gonzalez (The Romance of Magno Rubio), Brad Heberlee (This Beautiful City), Sakina Jaffrey (Television: "House of Cards"), Erik Lochtefeld (Metamorphoses) and Babak Tafti (The North Pool).

In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat. As these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Filled with awkward humor, this strange and compassionate new play asks how we address life's biggest questions when words fail us.

Small Mouth Sounds includes scenic design by Laura Jellinek, costume design by Tilly Grimes, lighting design by Mike Inwood, sound design by Stowe Nelson, projection design by Andrew Schneider and prop design by Noah Mease.

Bess Wohl was a member of Ars Nova's 2012-2013 Play Group, where the play was first developed, in addition to Ars Nova's Summer Artist Retreat program. Small Mouth Sounds marks Rachel Chavkin's first return to Ars Nova since her OBIE Award-winning direction of the smash hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.

Tickets go on sale February 9 and are priced at $35 for all performances. A special ticket initiative aimed at matching Ars Nova's innovative emerging artists with diverse, adventurous audiences, offers tickets at $15 from March 10 - 14 and $25 from March 16 - 21. Tickets are now on sale to Ars Nova members. Mighty Nova Memberships start at $50 and offer free tickets to Ars Nova's Off-Broadway productions, discounts to all comedy, music and developmental programming and other perks. To become a member, and book your Small Mouth Sounds tickets today, visit arsnovanyc.com/membership or call 212-352-3101.

Small Mouth Sounds plays March 10 through April 11 as follows: Monday through Wednesday at 7pm and Thursday through Saturday at 8pm. Tickets available by visiting arsnovanyc.com or calling 212-352-3101.

Photo by Jennifer Broski