Built For Collapse Closes THE ELEPHANT MAN At Wings Theatre 10/1

BUILT FOR COLLAPSE PRESENTS THE ELEPHANT MAN By Bernard Pomerance, Directed By SANAZ GHAJARRIHIMI
"If your mercy is so cruel, what do you have for justice?"

Wings Theatre
154 Christopher Street, New York, NY
September 23 - October 1, 2010
$15 General Admission - For advance tickets, please visit: www.smarttix.com
For more information, please visit: www.built4collapse.wordpress.com

In this vicious and darkly comic story a horribly deformed young man who has been a freak attraction in a side show is admitted to a prestigious London hospital. Under the care of a famous young doctor, he transforms from a sensational object of disgust to a favorite of the aristocracy. Based on the life of John Merrick, THE ELEPHANT MAN is "an enthralling and luminous play" that "nests in the human heart." Featuring a spell-binding score composed by Drama Desk nominated Adam Cochran, ground-breaking choreography by FUERZABRUTA cast member Ben Hobbs and dangerously precise direction by Drama League Alum Sanaz Ghajarrahimi.

Performances are:
September 23 at 11pm
September 24 at 11pm
September 25 at MIDNIGHT*
September 29 at 11pm
September 30 at 11pm
October 1 at 11pm
*Special opener Minq Vaadka at 11pm

Featuring Rachel Baker, Fernando Contreras, Brian Edelman, Molly Gillis, Cyrus Moshrefi, Claire Rothrock, Dante Sterling, Soren Stockman, Maggie Thompson and Daniel R. Wood.
Lighting Design by Sean Daniels. Associate Costume Design by Gemma Kaneko.

What reviewers have to say about past productions by Built for Collapse:
"...has the audience gripping their seats." - NYTheatre.com
"...a spectacle not to be missed." - NYTheatre.com
"...innovative works and creative new approach to theatre." - Happen to like New York

SANAZ GHAJARRAHIMI (Director) is an Iranian-American director and choreographer based in New York City. Recent directing credits: Kill to Eat by Caridad Svich (Hangar Theater), Nuclear Love Affair (East River Amphitheater), Orpheus and The Plastic Masquerade (Galapagos Art Space), Stork & Owl (Bleecker Street Theater), Hamlet (Galapagos Art Space, Grace Exhibition Space), Romeo and Juliet (Access Theater), Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl (Robert Moss Theater), and Jet of Blood by Antonin Artaud. Recent Assistant Credits: Prima Donna by Rufus Wainwright, directed by Daniel Kramer at the Manchester International Festival. Her work has also been seen in the critically acclaimed Theatre Mitu production of Death of a Salesman and in Tune Up, Faulty Piston! (Fringe Festival Spotlight Series). Sanaz is a Drama League Alum, graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and Founder/Artistic Director of Built for Collapse.

BEN HOBBS (Choreographer) recently joined the cast of the Off-Broadway smash hit FUERZABRUTA. A dancer/acrobat from upstate New York, his training includes NYU, Tisch School of the Arts (BFA, Drama), Shanghai Theater Academy, and Point Park University (Dance). Recent credits: Lynn Barr Dance Theatre (Judson Church, Kaatsbaan); Theater Mitu's Hair at Skirball Center for the Arts; choreographer/performer in Hamlet ; the title role in Orpheus and The Plastic Masquerade at Galapagos Art Space. Ben is Associate Artistic Director of Built for Collapse.

ADAM COCHRAN (Composer) is a Drama Desk-nominated composer/performance artist fascinated by the intersection of popular music, the avant garde and often cross dressing. Recent composer credits: Theater Mitu's Crane Story (HotINK Festival) and A Play On War (Connelly Theatre) for which he received a nomination for a 2010 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music in a Play; Maya Rudolph's short film The Expatriates; Built for Collapse's Romeo and Juliet (Access Theater) and Hamlet (Galapagos Art Space, Grace Exhibition Space). Adam also performs as his neo-cabaret-rock persona Minq Vaadka who recently released his debut album The Plastic Masquerade at Joe's Pub and played his music as a live score to Orpheus and The Plastic Masquerade, in collaboration with Built for Collapse at Galapagos Art Space. Listen to his music at www.minqvaadka.com

DANIEL WOOD (Treves) was last seen as Merle/MacDuff in On the Rocks' production of Macbeth at the Connelly Theater. Other recent credits include Dakota Rose's Marat/Sade (Robert Moss Theater), Sanaz Ghajarrahimi's Romeo and Juliet (Access Theater), and Andrew Scoville's Tune Up, Faulty Piston! (Fringe Festival Spotlight Series). Danny has also written a number of plays and one-man performances including Ears, Bloom, and The Revival of Organisms. He is currently involved in an upcoming adaptation of Marlowe's Doctor Faustus.

Soren Stockman (John Merrick) is an actor and a poet. Recent credits: Nuclear Love Affair (East River Amphitheater), Hamlet (Galapagos Art Space, Grace Exhibition Space), The Leader (440 Studios), and The Seagull (Concord Academy). Soren has studied poetry with Anne Carson, Henri Cole, Peter Gizzi, Kimiko Hahn, and Miranda Field. He currently attends the Gallatin School at New York University.

Claire Rothrock (Mrs. Kendal) is a New York City based actor. She holds a BFA from NYU, Tisch School of the Arts. She was also classically trained by the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. Recent credits: Ophelia in Eggs (45 Bleeker), Carmen in The Forgetting of Things (Bushwick Starr), Klover in Our Farm (The Tank) and Attica in Alligator Summer ( NY Fringe Festival). She can be seen in the upcoming film Illuminati Bros. at the New York Film and Television Festival.

*Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. New York City

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