Dream Out Loud Productions Presents BEIRUT at Under St. Marks, Beginning 9/13

Dream Out Loud Productions presents Alan Bowne's searing drama Beirut in the same downtown neighborhood that serves as the setting of the play. Performances run September 13 through 29, 2012 at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place, between First Ave. and Ave. A).

Beirut is set during a modern plague when people infected with a new virus are branded with the letter "P" for positive and quarantined in Lower Manhattan. Torch, a young man who is infected but asymptomatic, spends his days and nights in a rundown basement apartment, desperately seeking a way to make sense of his disease, maybe even to cure it. In between daily checks by a Lesion Patrol guard who enforces the quarantine, Torch dreams of his uninfected girlfriend Blue, and his pre-virus life. One night, Blue risks everything to visit him. Their electrifying reunion forces the would-be couple to face the reality of living in a new world order where a kiss or a touch could lead to their death. Beirut is an unrelenting love story, with equal parts desire, passion and exquisite pain. It premiered in 1987 during the first few years of the AIDS epidemic, and the play's powerful message continues to reverberate nearly three decades later.

Beirut stars Lynn Sher ("NYC 22"), Esteban Benito (The Root Collective's The Nomad Series, Cherry Lane Theatre) and Ian Campbell Dunn (New York Innovative Theatre Award-winning Balm in Gilead). Kerry Vaughn Miller, assistant director for Lobby Hero at T. Schreiber Studio and Theatre last fall, will direct the production.

Previews of Beirut will run Thursday, September 13th and Friday, September 14th at 8:00 pm before an official opening on Saturday, September 15th at 8:00 pm. The performance schedule continues September 20 through 29, Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 pm with an additional performance Monday, September 24th at 9:00 pm. Performances are at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place, between First Avenue and Avenue A, Subway: N/R to 8th St. or 6 to Astor Place). Running time is 65 minutes. Tickets are $18 for general admission, $15 for seniors and students (with valid ID) and can be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. For more information, visit www.beirutplay.com.