Doumanian and Barrow Street Theatre Team Up for New Work

Jean Doumanian Productions is partnering with Barrow Street Theatre to develop new plays and musicals, explore international markets and elevate the profiles of individual artists in a concerted effort to bring new work to Off-Broadway.   The announcement of the deal follows Jean Doumanian Productions' 2008 Tony Award win for Best Play for August: Osage County, on which the company is a lead producer.

"I am extremely pleased to form this progressive venture with Barrow Street Theatre to find new voices in theatre," said Jean Doumanian, founder and CEO of Jean Doumanian Productions.  "Through our collaboration, we anticipate developing innovative work for Off-Broadway and following through on our mission to highlight new works both off and on Broadway."

As part of the joint effort, Jean Doumanian Productions and Barrow Street Theatre will share a literary department focused on new writing, comedy and improvisation. The partnership also provides Jean Doumanian Productions with an exclusive first look deal for all projects developed or produced by Barrow Street's producing team.

Overseen by Producing Executive Director Tom Wirtshafter and Producing Managing Director Scott Morfee since 2003, Barrow Street Theatre has been home to Nilaja Sun's No Child, Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, Gone Missing by The Civilians and TJ &Dave. The Barrow Street producers also share history with Jean Doumanian Productions and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning August: Osage County playwright Tracy Letts via a 1998 production of Killer Joe, and Bug, which received its Off-Broadway premiere at the Barrow Street Theatre in 2004. Morfee and Wirtshafter are also currently producing the acclaimed musical Adding Machine at the Minetta Lane Theatre.

"We are thrilled to partner with Jean Doumanian Productions, a company that shares Barrow Street Theatre's goal to explore new work and respects many of the same artists and writers as we do," said Wirtshafter and Morfee in a joint statement.  "By working together, we can combine our creative resources and focus our efforts more effectively on many specific projects."

The Barrow Street Theatre is a 200 seat venue located in New York City's West Village.

In addition to August: Osage County, Jean Doumanian Productions' previous Broadway credits include Tom Stoppard's Jumpers, Michael Frayn's Democracy, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and Amour. The company's Off-Broadway credits include The Great America Trailer Park Musical, Fuddy Meers, Bat Boy the Musical, Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight, Dinah Was, and Death Defying Acts.

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