Erik Ehn's QUIET HOUSE Begins Tonight at Planet Connections

Erik Ehn's Quiet House directed by Glory Kadigan premieres tonight, June 23, at the 2017 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity (The Festivity runs June 12 - July 9 at The Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC). The presentation will be tonight, June 23rd, at 7:00 p.m.

Erik Ehn's riveting play, underscoring the homelessness crisis, will be one of the two headlining presentations of the reading series of Planet Connections 2017 Summer Theatre Festivity. Directed by Glory Kadigan, founder of the Festivity, "Quiet House" tells the story of Jackie, a woman who cycles in and out of homelessness. Jackie's daughter,, Sarolta, seeks her out. "Planet Connections has a long history of innovative cultural advocacy. I'm fortunate to sit as a learner in their school of compassion." Mr. Ehn stated.

A tradition of Planet Connections is to dedicate each production to a worthy cause. Quiet House will benefit Women In Need, the largest provider of shelter and supportive housing for NYC's homeless families. Women In Need has been transforming lives for over 30 years.

As New York City is facing a homeless crisis on a scale never before seen, a disproportionate number of the homeless are actually families, most of them led by women. These mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and sisters - many of whom have fled domestic violence - are the forgotten faces of homelessness in our city.

Planet Connections' award-winning actor, Max Woertendyke, (who appeared on Broadway in Ivo Van Hove's production of A View From the Bridge) said of Planet Connections, "Given the state of the world and our cultural inclination towards panic, it can be tempting to think of the theater as another unnecessary luxury, a useful distraction, but not a cultural need. While I believe we should all reject that thought on principal, Planet Connections goes a step further, making it impossible to come to that conclusion. Pairing the soft power of theatrical story telling with the impact oriented and data driven work of organizations and institutions dedicated to issues of social justice, Planet Connections makes sure that the works of art they present not only feed the soul of the nation, but also have an immediate and quantifiable impact on it as well."

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Maggie Bofill* (Jackie) is a founding member of LAByrinth Theater Company, member Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST). She has appeared as an actor in several NYC Theaters, including The Public, EST, Labyrinth Bank St. Theater, INTAR, Clubbed Thumb, Repertorio Español, The Vineyard, are some of many. And Regional Theaters: Mixed Blood in Minneapolis, Indiana Rep, Gala Hispanic Theater in Washington D.C. among others. TV and film include "Smash," "Law and Order," independent film Cold by Nature.

Carlotta Brentan (Sarolta) is an actress, producer and theater artist. Recent theatre: World Premieres of Erik Ehn's Clover (LaMaMa, a Planet Connections production), Frank J. Avella's Lured (Theater for the New City), Cyndy A. Marion's You Are Perfect (WorkShop Theatre.) Carlotta can also be seen in features, shorts & heard in voiceovers of all genres in multiple languages. Member of Kairos Italy Theater & Executive Producer since 2013 of In Scena! Theater Festival. Graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Academy Company, and Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab. www.carlottabrentan.com

Alexander Hodge (Ranger) is an actor & writer based in New York City. Recent theatre includes cul-de-sac (workshop), The Land of Cheesecake and Ice Cream (Theatre Row), The Shotgun Message (workshop), Canuck Downunder (Fringe NY). Recent TV includes Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC), Bull (CBS). Alexander is pleased to return to Planet Connections after reading Marco Calvani's Maspeth in 2016! Alexander graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (2016) and is a co-founder & editor of The Dionysian magazine. www.alexander-hodge.com & www.dionysianmagazine.com

James Kennedy (Paul and various): James was last seen in Erik Ehn's Clover at La Mama directed by Glory Kadigan. Selected recent stage credits include Hall of Fame pitcher Rube Waddell in Jonathan Goldberg's Sousepaw: A Baseball Story at the NYC, Minnesota, Indianapolis, & San Francisco Fringe Festivals (Fringe Famous Nominee- Best Actor, Winner- Best of SF Fringe). Shelby Company's Ephemerama (Magnet Theatre, NYC), Carey Lovelace's Couples Counseling (Edinburgh Fringe, & 59E59 St. Theater NYC), Dan Moyer's New Beulah (Planet Connections Award Winner- Best Featured Actor), & Ashley Jacobsen's His Beauty (Planet Connections Award Nominee- Best Supporting Actor).

KATHLEEN O'NEILL* (Ethylene and various): NYC favorite original theatre acting credits include Landlady/Helgeland/Old Mrs. Cronin/Ensemble in Clover, Older in Over the River and Through the Woods with Planet Connections, directed by Glory Kadigan, Annie Jump Canon in Insignificant by Sean Michael Welch, Nana Jo in Sweet Sweet Spirit by Carol Carpenter, Blue Heron in Dark Water by David Stallings and the role of Su in A Collapse by Vincent Moreno. Other cherished credits include Lyubov in Cherry Orchard, Jessica Lyons in Cat's Paw and Olympia in The Conduct of Life(won The Hispanic Festival's Best Supporting Actor award). She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA. Kathleen has a Production Company, BOO-Arts Productions. www.kathleenaoneill.com. She is delighted to be part of this wonderful company creating this new work. Thank you Planet Connections, Glory Kadigan and Erik Ehn.

Meghan St. Thomas* (Young Jackie) has performed in several Off-Broadway venues such as 59E59 Theaters, Playwrights Horizons, Theatre Row and The New Ohio Theatre. She was recently seen in The New World Stages Obie award winning production of The Woodman, puppeteering the Tin Man, the Crows and several other characters. Film credits include PBS, Broadway HD, ABC Digit, & Discovery ID. Meghan received her B.F.A. from SUNY Purchase Acting Conservatory and is the recipient of the Most Outstanding Actor Award. Recently Meghan played the lead role Nina in Penny Jacksons Safe directed by Glory Kadigan at the 14th st. Y theater. She will be making her ABC Debut on Love and Longitude produced by Rainn WilsoYou can follow Meghan's career and check out her upcoming comedy shows at www.meghanstthomas.com, or @The_M_Saint

Harold Surratt* (David) was last in Erik Ehn's Clover at La Mama directed by Glory Kadigan. Prior to that, he performed ReGina Taylor's Biting the Bullet for Planet Connections' Playwrights For A Cause also directed by Glory Kadigan. Credits include: (Broadway) Impressionism directed by Jack O'Brien, and Serious Money directed by Max Stafford-Clarke. (Regional) The Convert by Danai Guirira at The McCarter, The Goodman, and The Kirk Douglas directed by Emily Mann. Trouble in Mind, and The Sunset Limited at Triad Stage directed by Preston Lane; Familiar by Danai Gurira, directed by Rebecca Taichman at Playwrights' Horizons; Seven Guitars directed by Coleman Domingo at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Also seen in Father Comes Home from the Wars by Susan-Lori Parks, Directed by Jo Bonney at the American Repertory Theater. Other theaters include Premiere Stages, The Public, Keen Company, Berkshire Theater Festival and The Folger. Television: "Madam Secretary", "Babylon Fields" (pilot), "Orange is the New Black," "The Temptations" (mini-series), "Fringe," "The Practice," and "ER." Films: "Sudden Death," "The Pelican Brief," and "Blood In Blood Out."

MAX WOERTENDYKE* (Riley): Broadway: Ivo Van Hove's A View From the Bridge. Off-Broadway: Romeo and Juliet (The Public Theater). Regional: Frankenstein (DCPA). Film & Television: "Longmire" (Netflix), "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2", "The Airport Run". Max is also the founder of G44 Productions/Backyart thru which he has produced and/or directed 5 short films, a full-length webseries, internet spec commercials and video for museum exhibitions. He is a 2015 graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama and the recipient of their Career Advancement Fellowship Award for 2015-17. Planet Connections Award for Outstanding Actor in 2011 for his work in Antenora.

Perri Yaniv* (Seelu and various) is a New York native who has performed in over 30 productions locally, regionally and internationally. Has originated roles in new works by John Patrick Shanley, Candido Tirado, Owen Panettieri, Jose Agueros, and most recently, originated the role of Jesus in the world premiere production of Erik Ehn's Clover, under the direction of Glory Kadigan. He has played the title roles in revivals of George Bernard Shaw's Don Juan in Hell and S. Ansky's The Dybbuk. Film work includes Delivery Hour, Winter Has No Sun, The Wolf of Wall Street, and a number of short films and web series. Thanks to Glory, Erik, and all the lovely actors; it is an honor to be in good company for a Planet Connections Theatre Festivity debut. www.perribazyaniv.com

KAYTE ZHANG (Stage Directions) most recently appeared as Polly in Erik Ehn's Clover at La Mama. Kayte was born in Shenyang, China, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Kayte has performed theatre and musical theatre all over the US, favorite past credits include The Fantasticks (Louisa), 4000 Miles (Amanda), The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn), Candide (Sheep #1), and Sunday in the Park with George (Louise). Nowadays Kayte can be seen performing long form improv in basements and other small theatre spaces throughout New York City. Kayte has a BM in Musical Theatre from Arizona State University.

DANA BOLL (Choreographer) has performed in plays and musicals, danced modern and jazz works, and is a playwright. Her play with dance about WWII refugees, Bella's Dream, premiered in NYC in 2013. Choreography: The Merry Widow, Oklahoma!, Carousel, The Mikado,(Village Light Opera Group); Jane Austen's Persuasion (GTTP), The Sandman's Coming (Frigid Festival), Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public (Opening Doors Theatre Company). Ensemble member: New Stage Theatre Company. Residencies: LaMaMa Umbria International Directors Symposium, Ayatana Artistic Research Program. She is currently writing a new environmental musical, My Toothbrush Killed an Albatross!? www.thealbatrossmusical.com ?

Erik Ehn (Playwright) Work includes The Saint Plays, No Time Like the Present, Wolf at the Door, Tailings, Beginner, Vireo(w/composer Lisa Bielawa), and Clover (dir, Glory Kadigan). The Soulographie project, a series of 17 plays on U.S. history from the point of view of its genocides, was produced at La MaMa, NY, November 2012. Soulographie scripts include Maria Kizito, Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling, Yermedea, and Drunk Still Drinking. Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Tenderloin Opera Company. Graduate, New Dramatists. Erik has written for Playwrights For A Cause 2014 and 2015, presented by Planet Connections.

BENJAMIN EHRENREICH (Lighting Designer) REGIONAL: Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins (Berkshire Theatre Group) Owners (Yale Repertory Theatre). NYC: Playwrights for a Cause 2016, SAFE by Penny Jackson (Planet Connections), Clover by Erik Ehn (La Mama), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Gallery Players), Ultimate Beauty Bible (NYU TISCH Experimental Theatre Wing). OTHER: As You Like It, Lottie in the Late Afternoon, Iphigenia Among the Stars, Antony and Cleopatra (Yale School of Drama). A View From the Bridge (Vertical Player Repertory, New York), Macbeth (Community20 Productions, London). Benjamin was the Allen Lee Hughes Light Fellow at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. from 2008 to 2009, and he received his MFA in Lighting Design from the Yale School of Drama.

Glory Kadigan (Director) founded Planet Connections Theatre Festivity and served as the Producing Artistic Director for six seasons. She also founded Playwrights For A Cause and served as Producing Artistic Director for four seasons. Among her directing credits: World Premieres of ReGina Taylor's Biting the Bullet and John Patrick Shanley's Doublecross at the Playwrights for a Cause benefit at the Atlantic Theater, St. Anne's Soup (Israel Horovitz, World Premiere), Breaking Philip Glass (Israel Horovitz, World Premiere), Her Speech (Erik Ehn, World Premiere), Over the River and Through the Woods (Neil LaBute, World Premiere), Two Minute Warning (Neil LaBute, World Premiere), Safe by Penny Jackson (14th Street Y), Stain by Kristina Poe (Nylon Fusion), Five Sandwiches by Michael Puzzo (Nylon Fusion), The Picture of DorIan Gray (MT Works), Two Rooms (Workshop Theatre), Most recently, she directed Erik Ehn's Clover at La Mama. This summer, directing the World Premiere of Lyle Kessler's Mean Girls and Michael Puzzo's Without. Ms. Kadigan is also a playwright whose work as been presented in Singapore, London and New Zealand.

JENNA R. LAZAR* (Stage Manager) Recent favorites include: Summer Shorts (six seasons - 59E59); Death for Five Voices (Prospect Theater Company); Honor and 35mm (Prospect IGNITE Concert Series); The Drawer Boy (Soho Playhouse; dir. Alexander Dinelaris); The Hummingbird's Tour (Theatre at St. Clements); Order (dir. Austin Pendleton); Pimm's Mission; The Seafarer; Playwrights for a Cause; The Mar Vista; A Hard Wall at High Speed; Sex Good; Money Bad; Twelfth Night; and Hamlet. Jenna has been the Technical Director for the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity for five seasons. Member AEA.

Jacob Subotnick (Sound Design) is a NYC based composer and sound designer who has designed over 90 Off and Off-Off Broadway productions. Selected Off-Broadway: A Midsummers Night Dream (Masterworks Theater); Donkey Punch (SOHO Playhouse); InnerVoices 2014 (TBG Theater); Any Given Monday (59E59). Selected Off-Off-Broadway: The Ballad of Rodrigo (Funny...Sheesh: Nominated for Outstanding Original Music NYITA 2015); Virus Attacks Heart (Nominated for Outstanding Sound Design PCTF 2014); Tulpa or Anne and Me (Winner: Outstanding Sound Design PCTF 2011); The Picture of DorIan Gray (Nominated for Outstanding Sound Design PCTF 2010); The American Play (The Dirty Blondes/FringeNYC 2015); The Tunnel Play (The Dirty Blondes/FringeNYC2014); Why You Beasting?, Judgement Day (FringeNYC 2013). Selected Regional: Hair (Mount Washington Valley Theater: Nominated for Outstanding Sound Design NHTA 2010). www.jacobsubotnick.com

* Denotes Actors Equity Association