Manhattan Repertory Theater Presents SLEEPER, 4/3 & 4

Manhattan Repertory Theater, a longstanding establishment for upcoming playwrights, is hosting the world premier of "Sleeper" by Stephanie Bramson on April 3rd and 4th. Leal Vona directs this actor- ?driven drama starring Rocco Chierichella and Christina Roman.

"Sleeper" traces the cross- ?country quest of an unlikely trucker and a hitchhiker as they travel across country. Adam is a midwestern artist who never left home before finally hitchhiking out of North Dakota in search of the woman he loves. Naturally, the only ride he can catch is with the feisty and uprooted trucker Isabelle in search of anything except a home. With so much time together in the cab of an interstate truck, there is no telling what could happen between two polarizing characters.

The audience is granted unique voyeurism: not only do they bear witness to the conversation from the first awkward greetings, but they are also granted glimpses into the past of the occupants of the cab. Bramson's play traces the ways in which experience can define a person and their perspective. The humanity is the focus of the production with simple and effective staging by Vona: a few chairs and simple lighting bring the rich tapestry of the road to life and highlight the developing relationship between Adam and Isabelle.

Sleeper was written nearly four years ago and has been in a state of constant revision since the first staged reading: also featuring Christina Roman as Isabelle. In the saturated world of New York theater it returns to the origins of black box theater: simple and adventurous theater focused on the craft and characters. The cast and crew have developed a storytelling experience in less than three weeks. This is the first fully realized production of the play and the first NYC production by Bramson. It will be performed April 3rd and 4th at 9pm at Manhattan Repertory Theater located at 303 W 42nd St # 3. Tickets are $20. More information is available online at SLEEPERtheplay.com