Freak Winds, Australian Comedy Thriller to Receive NY Premiere March 17

FREAK WINDS - the critically acclaimed comedy thriller from Australia - will receive its U.S. premiere at the Arclight Theatre (152 W 71st St), beginning March 17 thru April 22. The limited engagement begins previews on March 17, with an opening night set for March 28 at 8PM.

FREAK WINDS tells the story of brash young insurance salesman Henry Crumb, who is forced to take shelter in a stranger's house during a freak storm. The mild-mannered homeowner Ernest is not interested in Crumb's insincere sales pitch, but together with his live-in companion Myra rather indulges in displaying his own twisted intellect. A series of warped mind-games takes Crumb on a string of tantalizing twists and turns, as the smug salesman becomes a lamb to the slaughter…

Written, directed by and starring Australian TV star Marshall Napier, FREAK WINDS also features Tamara Lovatt-Smith and Damian de Montemas, reprising his role as Henry Crumb from its original run. FREAK WINDS has lighting design by Rie Ono, set design by Jeremy Chernick, sound design by Andrew Ivanov, and is produced by Hair of the Dog LLC.

Marshall Napier's FREAK WINDS has been staged twice at the Old Fitzroy Hotel, Sydney, Australia (1999 and 2000), and the Herald Theater, Auckland, New Zealand (2005), each time proving to be something of a phenomenon. The Sunday Telegraph raved, FREAK WINDS is "a funny pitch-black comedy cum psychological thriller with a smattering of sex…laced with violence", and the Sun Herald praised its "…ghoulish humor, jolting shocks and intense performances". In addition to glowing reviews, the comedy thriller also provoked an unprecedented response from the public. Each season became a sell-out with long waiting lists, ticket scalping, and violent scenes in the theater foyer. And unusual for a show of this nature people were coming back for repeat viewings - one audience member claiming to have seen the show seven times.

FREAK WINDS plays at the Arclight Theatre (152 W 71st St, between Broadway and Columbus) from March 17 - April 22, Mon-Sat at 8:00PM, Sat at 3PM, Sun at 7PM. Tuesdays are dark. Tickets are $25 ($15 concs.): 212-352-3101 or www.theatermania.com. For further information: www.hairofthedogny.com

BIOS

MARSHALL NAPIER

After early experiences as a factory worker, art student, truck driver and laborer, Marshall turned to acting in his 20s. He has since worked extensively in theatre, film and television. His theatre credits include lead roles in: Marat/Sade, Tooth of Crime, The Duchess of Malfi, Waiting for Godot, Simpatico and A View from the Bridge. Film roles include: "The Navigator", "Came a Hot Friday", "The Big Steal" and "Babe". Television includes: "Police Rescue", "Seven Deadly Sins", "Water Rats" and "McLeod's Daughters". Marshall began writing in his mid-40s. Freak Winds was his first full-length stage play and has been successfully produced in both Australia and New Zealand. He has also written and directed a number of short films and recently completed a Second Stage play.

DAMIAN DE MONTEMAS

Since graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Damian has worked extensively in theatre, film and television. His theatre credits include lead roles in Hamlet, King Lear, Hedda Gabler, Dancing at Lughnasa and The Way of the World (STC). He has appeared in numerous Australian and international television series and played the starring role of Jason in the incredibly successful "The Secret Life of Us", which won several Australian Film Industry (AFI) awards. In 2004/2005 he played Vincent in the Luc Besson produced martial arts, hit film "Tom Yum Goong". In 2003 he played Adam in the critically acclaimed Australian film "Somersault" which won 13 AFI awards, was selected for Cannes 2004 (Un Certain Regard) and premieres in NYC on the 21st of April 2006.

Tamara Lovatt-Smith

Tamara is an acting graduate and now teacher with the Atlantic Theater Co. in New York. Her training also included ATYP and NIDA in Sydney. Tamara has worked as a producer and actor with many Sydney theater companies - including SEL & GFO (Tony winners: Hairspray) - and currently is a co-director with Hair of the Dog in NYC. Tamara shares producing and acting credits with Jay Riedl and James M. Larmer for the success of Hair of the Dog's productions: He Died with a Felafel in His Hand, Secret Bridesmaids Business, The John Wayne Principle, MEN and the short film, "The List". Other acting credits include: A Man for all Seasons, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, Italian American Reconciliation, Paradise, Trust, Baby with the Bath Water, Henry V, and the films, Get Rich Quick, Enough Rope and Vodka Rocks.

HAIR OF THE DOG LLC

In April 2002, Jay (Justine) Riedl formed Hair of the Dog, LLC incorporated in New York, with Tamara Lovatt-Smith and James M Larmer. Hair of the Dog, LLC's aim is to surprise, entertain and challenge audiences through film and theater mediums. We believe strongly in the enhancement of our society through artistic expression. In 2003, Hair of the Dog celebrated a 9-month season of the Australian cult classic - He Died with a Felafel in his Hand. This production received many return viewers to the downtown hotspot, the Parkside Lounge. The Ohio Theatre in Soho played home to the 2004 Australian season. This collaboration included; Secret Bridesmaids Business, by ElizaBeth Coleman, The John Wayne Principle by Tony MacNamara and Brendan Cowell's Men. Hair of the Dog also produced their first short film, "The List", which is currently running the film festival circuit around the world.