Cherry Lane's THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE Begins Tonight

Cherry Lane Theatre presents the second production of the company's award-winning MENTOR PROJECT 2016, Sarah Einspanier's play THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE, being presented at Cherry Lane (38 Commerce St.) from tonight, March 23, through April 2.

Joshua David Robinson (IAN), Will Dagger (PARKING WARS), Kelly McCrann (LOUIE) Crystal Lucas-Perry (STORM, STILL) and Ariel Woodiwiss (HERESY) comprise the cast of THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE. Portia Krieger (THE BACHELORS) directs.

Ms. Einspanier is mentored by Sheila Callaghan, herself a former Mentor Project playwright whose work LASCIVIOUS SOMETHING was presented during Mentor Project 2006. Ms. Callaghan's numerous works include BED and ROADKILL CONFIDENTIAL.

THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE follows Margaret, a scholar, and Katherine, her partner, who are moving to a small-town in Missouri. Katherine packs and Margaret procrastinates while their friend Lauren tries to convince them to stay. REI, self-loathing and the 17th century threaten their course. A play about your surroundings and failing to escape yourself. (And also ants.)

This 18th season of MENTOR PROJECT -- which annually pairs new playwrights with seasoned writers for a season of play development, casting, rehearsals and a fully-staged production -- marks the first time that all three mentors had previously been young writers themselves in the theater's celebrated MENTOR PROJECT program.

Rajiv Joseph, who mentored Christopher Gabriel Nunez's play THE SURGEON AND HER DAUGHTERS this winter at Mentor Project was mentored by Theresa Rebeck in 2005 for his play HUCK AND HOLDEN. Also serving as Mentors to young writers this season will be: Mentored playwright Sheila Callaghan (2006, LASCIVIOUS SOMETHING) this season will Mentor Sarah Einspanier for her play THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE (March 23-April 2); and Mentored playwright Katori Hall (2006, HOODOO LOVE) will Mentor Antoinette Nwandu and her play PASS OVER from April 13-23. Ms. Callaghan was mentored by Michael Weller in 2006 and Ms. Hall was mentored by Lynn Nottage in 2005.

THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE has set design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Asta Bennie Hostetter, lighting by Amith Chandrashaker, sound by Lee Kinney, props by Deborah Gaouette and choreography by Ani Taj. Jesse Thurston is assistant director; Angela Perez is stage manager; assistant stage manager is John Michael Crotty.

THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE will perform tonight, March 23, through April 2 - Mondays through Saturdays at 7 pm. Tickets are $19. For info and reservations visit www.cherrylanetheatre.org or call OvationTix at 866 811 4111.

Cherry Lane's MENTOR PROJECT received an Obie Award and James Kirkwood Award for American Playwrights for its dedication to providing professional opportunities for emerging writers to hone their craft in tandem with seasoned playwrights of note. The company opened its 2015-16 season with Adam Seidel's dark comedy CATCH THE BUTCHER, followed by director Austin Pendleton's staging of Ingmar Bergman's NORA, adapted from Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE. This June Cherry Lane Theatre will present the world-premiere of Israel Horovitz's play OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES starring Estelle Parsons, Judith Ivey, Angelina Fiordellisi and Francesca Choy-Kee.

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