DONKEY PUNCH to Begin Previews 7/25 Off-Broadway at SoHo Playhouse

After a critically acclaimed run in June, Ivy Theatre will transfer their production of Micheline Auger's DONKEY PUNCH to Off-Broadway. Directed by Audrey Alford, previews of this limited engagement begin July 25 at SoHo Playhouse. Opening night is slated for Thursday, July 31.

In DONKEY PUNCH, uninhibited Kareena delves into monogamy while her uptight best friend, Sam, starts dating a pornographer. In this fast-paced world of sex, shifting relationships, and blurred lines, is it punch or be punched?

DONKEY PUNCH stars Stephen Stout (The Mysteries and Restoration Comedy at The Flea), Cleo Gray (A Cautionary Tail at The Flea), Lauren Dortch Crozier (Black Ice at MITF), and Michael Drew with set by Jason Simms, lighting by Mark Hankla, sound by Jacob Subotnick, and costumes by Tristan Raines. The production team includes Stephanie Garcia (Stage Manager), Samantha Turlington (Assistant Stage Manager), Darling & Company/Jennifer Conley Darling (General Management), Eva C. Scanlan (Company Manager), Megan Eileen Kosmoski (Marketing), Amber Mathis & Nick Bixby (Production Management), Michelle Jasmine (Production Assistant), Robin Miller (Production Assistant), and CMcKenna Casting (Casting).

In addition to DONKEY PUNCH (formerly titled The Feminism of a Soft Merlot, or How The Donkey Got Punched), Micheline Auger's recent productions include the Untitled Degradation Play (Rising Phoenix Rep's Cino Nights Series, 2013; O'Neill Semi-finalist) and American River (Lesser America, 2012). Her other work has been developed or produced by Dixon Place, Primary Stages, Westside Theatre, Miranda Theatre, Amoralab, FringeNYC, New York Madness, OMPF, Horse Trade Theatre Group, Riot Act, Caps Lock Theatre Company, Sugarspace and Highways Performance Complex, among others. She is the recipient of the 2012 National Theater Conference Paul Green Award, creator of Theaterspeak.org and the creator/producer of Write Out Front: A Playwright Happening which will put over 100 playwrights writing new plays in the window of the Drama Book Shop in August 2014. For more information, www.michelineauger.com or visit www.theaterspeak.org.

Audrey Alford has directed in multiple cities across the country and is now settled in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 2013, she founded Ivy Theatre Company and was nominated for Best Director in the Midtown International Theatre Festival for Black Ice by Lezlie Revelle. The New York Times called her production of Like Poetry, by Kristian O'Hare, in FringeNYC "beautifully structured, with an impressive blend of poignancy and humor, nicely distinct performances, and respectfully playful direction." She directed Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, an adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher, to sold out houses at CAST in Charlotte, North Carolina. In New York, Audrey has directed for Sanguine Theatre Company, Estrogenius, and was a member of Labrynth Theater's Ensemble Workshop. In New Orleans, she attended Loyola University and assisted directors including Anne Kauffman, Ryan Rilette, and Lane Savadove.

DONKEY PUNCH runs July 25 - August 31, Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 6pm. SoHo Playhouse is located at 15 Vandam Street between Varick Street and 6th Avenue -- accessible from the C & E trains at Spring Street. Tickets are $25 for previews, $45 after at 212-691-1555 or www.sohoplayhouse.com.