A Dark Comedy POUNDING NAILS IN WITH MY FOREHEAD Comes to Montreal 6/2-18

Eric Bogosian's stunning and massively successful 1994 exploration of American urban and suburban life as it exists out of the mainstream is being staged at The Wiggle Room from June 2-18 (see various times below) as part of this year's 2017 St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival. Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead answers the questions on everyone's lips, "How did we get here?!" The show's collection of monologues is performed by stand-up comics and Montreal Burlesque artists.

In the winter of 2016, Knox was looking for something to stage during the upcoming summer that would be fun and kick a little ass - these being tumultuous times and all. Knox had been in a production of Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead in the late 90's and had been looking for an excuse to stage it again, thinking it a perfect vehicle to showcase actors' talents. It was also more current than ever...

Knox explains, "The more I read the play, the more I realized there's no way of looking at these monologues without thinking about where we have come to politically. As you read and listen to what these offbeat characters are saying, you come to the realization that we were always on this path - Trump, or someone like him, was always in our future. Bogosian nailed it!"

When Bogosian first staged the play, to rave reviews, the North American economy was slowly coming out of a slump, Bill Clinton was President of the United States and the political divide between left and right was widening with the proliferation of right-wing hate-radio. People on both sides of the divide were feeling cynical and pissed. Sound familiar...? Now is the perfect time to revisit Bogosian's searing and prescient monologues that are by turns, comic, satiric and poignant, and describe many of the contemporary dilemmas we face. These raucous, take no prisoners' monologues are also highly entertaining and darkly funny. www.facebook.com/PoundingMyForhead

Delivering these raw monologues are:

Daniel Carin: Featured in 2016 at the Just For Laughs 'Homegrown' competition, and in stand-up, sketch and improv shows around the country.

Rodney Ramsey: Just for Laughs home grown competition, which premiered on City TV's in House comics, performed on CBC's The Debaters, and created Canada's first all-black comedy tour "The Underground Comedy Railroad"

Dan Derkson: Actor, comedian, singer and entertainer performing internationally for over 30 years, and a regular performer and host at Montreal's favourite Burlesque venue, The Wiggle Room.

Jason Hatrick: A Montreal based stand-up comic who has performed in 6 countries. A finalist in multiple comedy competitions, he's featured in festivals across Canada.

Shauna Feldman: Actress, Burlesque performer. She is co-creator of Montreal's Sitcom Burlesque and co-produced, co-wrote and starred in 2016 Fringe hit, Bedrock Burlesque! When not performing Bogosian monologues, Shauna can be seen performing as her burlesque alter ego, Elle Diabloe.

Troy Stark: Actor, comedian. Troy has acted in stage plays and performed stand-up around the country. Originally from P.E.I. he now makes his home in Montreal and is co-creator of The Nerdy Show.

Karl Knox: Comedian, actor. Karl Has made three appearances in the Just For Laughs festival, fringed his way across the country and is host of a weekly radio show entitled, 'Your Media Sucks!' He is also director and producer of this show.

Pounding Nails in the Floor with my Forehead

Monkey Shines Productions at the St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival

Venue- OFF W- The Wiggle Room, 3874 St. Laurent (across from Schwartz')

Dates: Special Preview, Fri. June 2- 7pm; Thurs. June 8- 11pm; Fri. June 9- 9pm;

Sun. June 11- 9pm; Tues. June 13- 7pm; Thurs. June 15- 11pm; Fri. June 16- 9pm; Sat. June 17- 7pm; Sun. June 18- 9pm Running time: 60 minutes All Shows 18+

Tickets: $10.00 (+$2.50 service charge)

To purchase tickets: 514 849-FEST (3378), or online at www.montrealfringe.ca

During the Festival: Tickets also available at the box office located at FRINGE Park (corner Rachel and St-Laurent) or at The Wiggle Room as of one hour before show time.

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