Apple Core Theater Debuts A MODEST SUGGESTION at NYC's Studio Theatre, 5/10-27

APPLE CORE THEATER COMPANY (ACTC) has announced its world premiere production of a new satire by Israeli-American playwright, Ken Kaissar: A MODEST SUGGESTION.

Directed by Walter J. Hoffman, A MODEST SUGGESTION will play a limited engagement at the Studio Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th/10th). Performances begin Thursday, May 10 and continue through Sunday, May 27. Opening Night is Tuesday, May 15 (7 p.m.).

In an anonymous conference room, in an anonymous city, an anonymous group of businessmen meet to discuss the next item on their agenda. As the four yes-men weigh the pros and cons of one pretty tough question, A Modest Suggestion asks: Why do racism and anti-Semitism exist? What does it mean to be Jewish? How does racism turn into violence? And do Jews eat bacon? ACTC seeks to inspire laughter and an honest, thought-provoking discussion around these difficult topics.

The production stars Jeff Auer* (ACTC's As Is), Bob Greenberg (The Jazz Singer)*, Ethan Hova* (The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler), Russell Jordan* (Beirut), Jonathan Marballi (Upright Citizens Brigade), and Robert W. Smith (Boy Gets Girl)*.

The production features scenic design by Jared Rutherford, costume design by David L. Zwiers, and lighting design by Jordan Acosta.

A MODEST SUGGESTION plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, May 27: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and are available online at www.telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Theatre Row Box Office, noon to 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday, noon until curtain on Sundays. Visit www.applecoretheatercompany.org for more information.

KEN KAISSAR (Playwright) Born in Ramat Gan, Israel, playwright Ken Kaissar holds a BFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA in playwriting from Columbia University. His adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales was commissioned by Columbia in 2008, and his ten-minute play Ceasefire (written in response to Israel’s war with Hezbollah in 2006) was the winner of the West Boca New Play Competition and a regional winner in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. His play The Victims, or What Do You Want Me To Do About It was a runner-up for the 2009 Princess Grace Award and was honored by the Lark Play Development Center as part of the Middle East America Play Commission. A Modest Suggestion was recently produced as an independent film and has also been performed at the Jewish Theatre Workshop in Baltimore.

WALTER J. HOFFMAN (Director) is a New York City-based actor and director, as well as a co-founder and the associate artistic director of Apple Core Theater Company. Most recently, Walter directed Undertow by Mel Nieves in the Downtown Urban Theater Festival (HERE Arts Center). ACTC directing credits include By the Dawn's Early Light, an evening of two one act plays (Los Embrujados and Midnight Mass), by Mel Nieves, the 25th Anniversary production of As Is by William M. Hoffman, and Won and Lost (Pvt. Wars by James McLure and The Return of Odysseus by Steven Gridley).

APPLE CORE THEATER COMPANY produces emotional, entertaining plays by American writers. ACTC debuted with Won and Lost, two one-acts about the American veteran experience: "Pvt. Wars" by James McLure and "The Return of Odysseus" by Steven Gridley. Appearing at the TBG Arts Center in April 2009, the production was received enthusiastically by audiences and critics alike, with Martin Denton of nytheatre.com writing. "The high level of work on display here portends great things for Apple Core Theater Company." As part of their commitment to provide affordable theater to NYC, they welcomed numerous veterans to the production for free through the NYC Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and established their current top ticket price as $15.

In October 2010 at Theatre Row, ACTC produced As Is by William M. Hoffman, one of the first plays about the AIDS crisis as it hit the gay community of NYC. Continuing their audience outreach efforts, they participated in TCG's Free Night of Theater and donated free tickets to Gay Men's Health Crisis. After asking audience members to contribute to a great cause, they raised over $1,500 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. They were thrilled to sell out houses and garner rave reviews, including one from the Village Voice calling the production a "powerful revival of William M. Hoffman's revolutionary play."

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