'American Girls' New Play Opens Off-Bway April 6

The World Premiere of American Girls, a new play by Hilary Bettis, directed by Jeff Cohen will begin previews on Thursday, April 3 with Opening Night set for Sunday, April 6 at the 45th Street Theater.

"American Girls is the story of two 14-year-old mid-western girls who are on a collision course with pop culture and faith. Please note: American Girls has mature themes and may not be suitable for audiences under 14 years of age," describe press notes.

In American Girls, her first play, Ms. Bettis draws on her experience working in the adult entertainment industry (in this case, strip clubs) to explore what would happen if innocent 14-year-old girls, growing up in America's heartland, rationalized their love of Jesus with an obsessive desire for fame.

Jeff Cohen, Dog Run Rep's Artistic Director, was Artistic Director of the Worth Street Theater Company.  Mr. Cohen directed the World Premiere of Tristine Skyler's The Moonlight Room (Beckett/Theater Row) and the NY premiere of Christopher Shinn's Four (Manhattan Theatre Club). Worth Street's other notable work included the acclaimed revival of The Normal Heart at The Public Theater and the Drama Desk Award-winning Tribeca Playhouse Stage Door Canteen.

American Girls will have costume design by Gail Cooper-Hecht, set design by Ryan Kravitz, lighting design by Evan Purcell and video design by Gray Winslow.

Dog Run Rep has produced Jeff Cohen's play Men Of Clay (Best New Play 2005, The Baltimore City Paper), Bill Weeden's Into The Weeds and the 2007 Seaport Summer Theatre Festival at the South Street Seaport.   In 2008, the Festival will expand to productions in the summer, fall and winter, and will feature the Free Concert Series Broadway at The Seaport on Pier 17.   Pat Blake's producing credits include The Exonerated and In The Continuum. 

American Girls will begin performances Thursday, April 3rd and open Sunday, April 6th at The 45th Street Theater, 354 W. 45th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues). Performances will be Wednesday through Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 and 8 pm and Sunday at 5 pm.  Tickets for all performances will be $55  and can be purchased by calling SMARTTIX at (212) 868-4444 or online at www.smarttix.com .  

There also will be two types of RUSH tickets available 30 minutes before curtain: General Public RUSH tickets for $25 and Student RUSH tickets, for students 21 years and younger, for $10. All RUSH tickets are Day of Performance, cash sales only, subject to availability.   

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