Ars Nova's CHARLATAN Begins Performances Tonight

Ars Nova presents the world premiere of Charlatan, in a limited Off-Broadway engagement, Tuesday, March 18 through Saturday, April 12 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Official Opening Night takes place Monday, March 31 at 7:00 PM.

Professional liar Vinny DePonto explores the many faces of deception - the impostors, the frauds and the fakes - in Charlatan, a night of mind-bending entertainment. Fall into a world of lies and misdirection in the capable hands of this indelibly charming conman. Don't worry, he'll only fool you as much as you want to be fooled.

Charlatan was developed through Ars Nova's Project Residency program.

Charlatan is written by Vinny DePonto and Josh Koenigsberg and performed by DePonto. Directed by Ars Nova's 2014 Director-in-Residence Andrew Neisler, the production features Scenic Design by Carolyn Mraz, Lighting Design by Joe Cantalupo, Sound Design by Josh Millican, Video Design by Bart Cortright and Prop Design by Noah Mease.

Vinny DePonto, a Brooklyn based magician and mind-reader, has been lying to audiences for over a decade. His love of sleight of hand and mental theatrics has consumed most of his life. His first evening length stage show Mysterious Delights premiered at Ars Nova's ANT Fest in 2012. When not performing on stage or at the private affairs of New York's elite, he writes and consults for shows on HBO and the Discovery Channel.
Josh Koenigsberg's plays have been produced/developed at Ars Nova, The Atlantic Theater, Naked Angels, The Old Vic, The Public Theater, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Williamstown Theater Festival and others. His plays include Al's Business Cards, Dance Lessons, The Mnemonist of Dutchess County (all published by Samuel French), Herman Kline's Midlife Crisis (published by Indie Theater Now) and Whiffman On The Mound (Winner of the inaugural Alec Baldwin Fellowship). He has written for the 24 Hour Plays/Musicals, Ars Nova's Play Group, At Play, The Living Newspaper, Old Vic New Voices, and "Naked Radio," a monthly podcast produced by Naked Angels. B.A. Bard College, M.F.A. Columbia University.

Andrew Neisler is a Brooklyn-based theatre-artist and Ars Nova's 2014 Director-in-Residence. Recent directing credits: Game Play (Ars Nova), Byuioo (Pipeline Theatre Company, Judson Church), Shoot the Freak (Paradise Factory), Tape (Strasberg Institute), Clown Bar (Pipeline), Folk Wandering (Ars Nova/Joe's Pub), Bebe Zahara Benet's Creature (XL Cabaret). Artistic Director, Political Subversities. Co-Founder/Co-Director, Fresh Ground Pepper. BFA, NYU/Tisch.

Photo by Ben Arons