PLATH. Begins Tonight at FringeNYC

Plath. follows the story of Sylvia Plath's turbulent years at Smith College as she struggles with mental illness. With the help of her psychologist, Plath reflects on the words and stories of her journal written during this trying portion of her young life. Revealed is Plath's unique perspective on the universal themes of insecurity, self-doubt, jealousy, sexual desire, friendship, family, and love. Plath's poetry and prose inform the text of this innovative, witty, thoughtful piece of new musical theatre.

Plath. had its first production at Columbia University's Glicker-Milstein Theatre in Fall 2014, and the creative team is excited to bring this new musical to the New York International Fringe Festival this August under the direction of Emily Feinstein.

Sylvia Plath found her voice in the confessional poetry movement of the 1950s. This movement focused on extreme moments of individual experience - including previously taboo matters such as mental illness, sexuality, and suicide. Though suicide cut her life tragically short, she lives on through her poems, journals, and novels that continue to be relevant today.

Featuring: Allison Lea Bender* (Ensemble), Mara Jill Herman* (Mademoiselle), Michael Lorz* (Warren), Martavius Parrish (Ensemble), Shane Salk* (Dr. Lindemann), Samantha Schiffman* (Ensemble), Jenny Vallancourt* (Sylvia), RJ Woessner (Dick).

Creative Team: Alex Donnelly (Producer), Allie Carieri (Artistic Producer), Emily Feinstein (Director), Molly Rose Heller (Book/Lyrics), Fernanda Douglas (Composer), and Amelia Lembeck (Stage Manager).

Plath. is helmed by producer Alex Donnelly and artistic producer Allie Carieri, both recent Columbia University graduates.

Alex is delighted to be working with the talented cast, creative team, and crew of Plath.! Plath. is Alex's second FringeNYC production, having been an assistant producer on Lydia and Tom in Summer 2013. Alex has also produced a number of music festivals at Columbia University, where he graduated from in 2014. In his spare time, Alex is a 2nd year analyst at Bank of America. He would like to thank his friends and family for their terrific support of this incredible project.

Allie is excited to be returning to FringeNYC with Plath. She recently graduated from Columbia University with a degree in American Studies and English Literature. Her producing and production management credits include work with the King's Crown Shakespeare Troupe, The Columbia Musical Theatre Society, as well as at FringeNYC. She has also performed in and written for various theatrical groups at Columbia, as well as serving on their executive boards. Professionally, Allie has worked at Roundabout Theatre Company and The Public Theater. She is thrilled to be working with this fabulous team on such a powerful show.

Heading up the writing team is recent Columbia graduate Molly Rose Heller, and current Columbia student Fernanda Douglas.

Fernanda (Composer) is a composer and pianist from Goleta, California, currently studying music at Columbia University. Fernanda has acted as music director and rehearsal pianist for numerous productions at Columbia, ranging from scenes with the New Opera Workshop group to The Varsity Show, Columbia's longest standing theater tradition. Last year, she composed, orchestrated and conducted three original musicals at Columbia: She worked as assistant music director on Anthem in the 2014 Fringe International Theatre Festival and most recently was an assistant director on Lincoln Center Originals: The CRY HAVOC Company at the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Molly (Book and Lyrics) is excited to be debuting at NYCFringe just a couple months after graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Theatre and Drama Arts from Columbia University and a B.A. in Modern Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. As a multi-talented theatre artist, Molly's most recent theatre credits include acting the role of Faust in Faust 2.0, directingThe 121st Annual Varsity Show (Columbia), and acting the role of Miss Hodge in Design for Living (Berkshire Theatre Group).

Rounding out the creative team is director Emily Feinstein. Emily is excited to be making her FringeNYC debut with Plath. Other New York credits include The Taming of the Shrew (New York Classical Theatre, Assistant Director), The Group (Alchemical Theatre Lab),The 120th Annual Varsity Show: Morningside Nights, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and The Last 5 Years (Columbia University). She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Religion from Barnard College of Columbia University, and has completed semester-long training at both BADA and LAMDA in London, UK.

IF YOU GO:

PLATH.

Venue #7: The Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 107 Suffolk Street, New York, NY 10002 (between 2nd and 1st Ave - L train to 1st Ave)

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, August 20th at 7:00PM

Sunday, August 23rd at 9:00PM

Tuesday, August 25th at 8:45PM

Thursday, August 27th at 7:00PM

Saturday, August 29th at 1:45PM

Running Time: 75 minutes, with no intermission

For more: www.plathmusical.com @plath_musical Facebook.com/plathmusical

*Appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.