Abby Rosebrock's DIFFERENT ANIMALS Will Make Its Off-Broadway Debut in May

Playwright Abby Rosebrock's Different Animals will open on May 4th at The Cherry Lane Theater. Previews will begin on April 20th. Rosebrock, an Upright Citizen's Brigade alum, will also star in the show.

DIFFERENT ANIMALS follows a few old-fashioned souls as they search for spiritual fulfillment among the churches and chain restaurants of the New South, in the age of social media and monogamy's decline. A raunchy comedy and a study of modern marriage, Different Animals is based lovingly on Rosebrock's experience growing up among promiscuous Lutherans in South Carolina.

The supporting cast of Different Animals features an array of up-and-coming comedic talent including: Cesa Pledger, Dirk Keysser, Brady Kirchberg, Maria Panoski and Sienna Sternick.

DIFFERENT ANIMALS will be directed by Bruce Ornstein, the acclaimed film and theater writer, director and actor who has helmed more than 80 shows since the 1970's. Ornstein, who co-starred opposite John Travolta in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, is also the founder of the Bruce Ornstein Acting Workshop, one of the most prominent acting schools in New York City. Ornstein will produce the show alongside Richard Neustadter, whose previous credits include the acclaimed independent film ELECTRICK CHILDREN set for theatrical release this Friday, March 8th at the IFC Center.

"This extraordinary work by Abby Rosebrock, marks the entrance of a major voice in the American theatre scene," Ornstein and Neustadter said in a joint statement.

DIFFERENT ANIMALS centers on Jessica Tarver (Cesa Pledger), a young woman still clinging to the gospels of romantic comedy and happily-ever-after. But by her late twenties, she finds herself languishing in Spartanburg, South Carolina - reeling from the sting of a failed business venture, disappointed by her May-December marriage and committing adultery in the bathroom of an Olive Garden. Though Jess finds a figment of romance in her childhood friend William Burnip (Kirchberg), now a charismatic liberal activist and the pastor of her Lutheran church, Will is interested in little more than sex. Meanwhile, Jessica's husband Leo (Keysser) sets his sights on Molly Gardner (Abby Rosebrock), an unstable young coworker, who in turn falls in love with both of the Tarvers at once. When the couple tries to save their marriage by inviting Molly into the bedroom, Jessica is torn between an electric new friendship and an inescapable tie to Will.

Opening night is scheduled for May 4th at 7pm. Previews will begin on April 20th.

For tickets and more information please visit: http://www.differentanimalsplay.com/tickets or https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/921665