THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA Plays Final Performance Today, Sept 1

The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award® winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award® nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), will play its final performance this evening, September 1, 2012 upstairs at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Previews began on July 11, 2012 with Opening Night on August 2, 2012.

It was also announced that a cast album is in the works for release at a future date.

The four member cast features Drama Desk Nominee Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) as Pam, Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q) as Phyllis, John Bolton (A Christmas Story, "Gossip Girl") as Ernie, and Jake Boyd (MCC's Carrie) as Jimmy.

In a world where smoking has recently been outlawed and the penalties are growing stricter by the minute, Pam is having an impossible time trying to quit. Her husband Ernie dreams of being a rock star and relentlessly practices his guitar in the basement, while their videogame-addicted son Jimmy listens to so much rap music he thinks he's black. As if Pam isn't pushed to The Edge of reason already, her nosy, anti-smoking zealot neighbor Phyllis is on a mission to catch transgressors mid-puff. Will Pam kick the habit or fight for her right to light up? The Last Smoker in America delivers explosive satire and smoking wit, along with a thrilling rock score that will leave you craving for more.

The creative team includes Charles Corcoran (sets), Michael McDonald (costumes), 2012 Tony Award®-winner Jeff Croiter & Grant Yeager (lights), Bart Fasbender (sound), and Jay Binder (casting). Roger Alan Gindi is the General Manager and Pamela Edington is the Production Stage Manager.

The producers for the New York run of The Last Smoker in America include Andy Sandberg, Whitney Hoagland Edwards, Michael Palitz, and Stephanie Rosenberg.

Director/Producer Andy Sandberg had this to say about the end of the engagement, "I am incredibly proud of the production and all of the extraordinarily talented artists who have given their time and talent to this show." He went on to add, "We are tremendously grateful to the audiences who have supported this show throughout its run and shared their enthusiasm and laughter with us. We remain excited for the future life of The Last Smoker in America as we continue on with our journey."