Nylon Fusion Theatre Company to Present HALF MOON BAY, 10/3-25

An aynredenish -- an obsession -- is worse than a disease, say our Yiddish elders. "Half Moon Bay" by John Jiler is a drama about a prize-winning Manhattan architect whose sudden fixation on a mysterious waitress sabotages his marriage and his career and causes him to abandon his ideals. Its world premiere, directed by Margarett Perry, will be presented by Nylon Fusion Theatre Company from October 3 to 25 at New Ohio Theatre, 154 Christopher Street.

A cutting-edge environmental architect named Richie would seem to have everything--great friends, a lucrative career and a gorgeous wife. But in the company of his lawyer and friend, Tom, he meets a mysterious waitress whose guileless combination of beauty, innocence and helplessness begin to obsess him. As Tom watches helplessly, Richie attempts to fold this strange girl into his newly burgeoning family, then resigns his posh job to follow her as she drifts from place to place. Even as he craves the purity she represents, he abandons his most deeply held principles to be near her. The play is a chilling reminder of the primal, Strindbergian compulsions that infect otherwise reasonable men (think now, you probably know one or two), and the price that's paid by those who love them.

The play had a reading at the Actors Studio Playwrights and Directors Unit, where it was seen by John Patrick Shanley, a member of the advisory board of Nylon Fusion Theatre Company, who recommended it to the troupe for a full production.

Playwright John Jiler (www.johnjiler.com) is a playwright, actor, novelist and journalist. He received the Richard Rodgers Award and the Kleban Librettists' Award for his accapella musical, "Avenue X" (Playwrights' Horizons and worldwide tour). Jiler's other musical, "Big Red Sun," won the Harold Arlen Award from ASCAP. He was a runner-up for the Weissberger Prize for his first full-length play, "Sour Springs," which was presented by Theater for the New City. His plays have been seen coast to coast, from the Eugene O'Neill National Playwright's Conference to the Kennedy Center to Seattle Rep and many places in between. Jiler's most recent book, "Sleeping With The Mayor," was named a "Most Notable Book" by The New York Times. His first, "Dark Wind," was deemed a classic by the Village Voice. As a journalist, he has written for the NY Times, The Nation, and the Village Voice (where the stories that led to "Avenue X" and "Sleeping With The Mayor" first appeared). He performed an autobiographical play, "Ripe," at Theater for the New City in 2012.

Margarett Perry (Director) has directed and developed new work Off-Broadway, in regional theaters, and in Los Angeles, Scotland and London. She is the Resident Director at the Kitchen Theatre in Ithaca, where she has directed over 20 productions. She is also a regular at the Human Race Theatre Company and an Artistic Fellow at The Lark. She is currently in development with Center Theatre Group on "Used to Was (Maybe Did)" by Brian Dykstra. Other upcoming projects include "Grand Concourse" by Heidi Schreck and "One Slight Hitch" by Lewis Black. (www.margarettperry.com)

The actors are Ben Gougeon as Richie, the architect; Brennan Taylor as Tom, the narrator; Jean Goto as Pam, Richie's wife and Ivette Dumeng as Alicia, the object of his obsession.

Costume design is by Debbi Hobson. Lighting design is by Wilburn Bonnell. Sound design is by Andy Evan Cohen. Set design is by Kyu Shin.

Nylon Fusion Theatre Company, led by Artistic Director Ivette Dumeng, is committed to giving voice and perspective to established and emerging artists, favoring plays that explore and advance political, social and cultural awareness. The troupe was named one of "Eight Young and Mighty Theatre Companies in New York City" by Backstage in July 2015 and is currently nominated for two 2015 New York Innovative Theatre Awards. It has produced 15 full-length plays and 15 one-act festivals, as well as readings and salons. Its company of over 30 artists includes as advisory board members the playwrights John Patrick Shanley and Paul Haggis.

From October 1 to 25, 2015 the company will be producing its first season of plays at New Ohio Theatre, 154 Christopher Street, featuring two world premieres. "Half Moon Bay" will be presented along side "Comes a Faery" by James McLindon on an alternating schedule. (See below.)