Fulcrum Theater Presents BIRD IN THE HAND at Theater for the New City, Now thru 9/23

BIRD IN THE HAND-a new play by Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas, author of the critically-acclaimed BLIND MOUTH SINGING-will be given its world premiere production Off-Broadway by Fulcrum Theater. The official press opening is tonight, September 5 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue at 10th Street).

Directed by Mr. Cortiñas, the cast of BIRD IN THE HAND features Crystal Finn (Fulcrum's JULIUS BY DESIGN, Ethan Lipton's LUTHER with Clubbed Thumb), Susannah Flood (Paula Vogel's CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS, Long Wharf), Robert Grimm (BROOKLYN UNDERGROUND), Theo Koppel, Alejandro Rodriguez (The Acting Company, Guthrie Theater) Debargo Sanyal (INVASION!), and Alicia Ohs.

Mixing theater and dance, BIRD IN THE HAND is Mr. Cortinas's wry comedy about feeling out of place. The play follows a man named Felix and how he came to run a theme park in Florida that exhibits tropical birds. A chorus of flamingos (as choreographed by Katie Workum) becomes a vehicle for the play's exploration of exile.

Fulcrum Theater supports and launches the work of New York based playwrights-of-color. Fulcrum made its debut last summer with the world-premiere of Kia Cothron's JULIUS BY DESIGN. The company believes that "theater should reflect the demographics of the city in which we live," and that "playwrights benefit when they control the means of their own artistic production. We create a space for playwrights-of-color to develop new work on their own terms, we foster solidarity and community between those playwrights by turning them into collaborators, we place our playwrights at the center of the company's decision-making process and we produce new plays in top-notch productions."

INTAR, and MALETA MULATA produced by Camp Santo + Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco. His play SLEEPWALKERS was presented by ALLIANCE THEATRE in 2002, having previously been awarded the Carbonell Award for Best New Work at Area Stage. His awards include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts; as well as the Helen Merrill Award; "playwright of the year" in El Nuevo Herald's 1999 year-end list; a Writers Community Residency from the YMCA National Writer's Voice; and the Robert Chesley Award. He has been commissioned by the Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Repertory and Playwrights Horizons. He is a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, an alumnus of New Dramatists and a resident playwright at Fulcrum Theater.

BIRD IN THE HAND has set and light design by Jiyoun Chang, sound design by Matt Stone, costume design by Mark Nagle and choreography by Katie Workum.

Scheduled through September 23, BIRD IN THE HAND will perform Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved by calling SmartTix at 212 868 4444 or online at www.fulcrumtheater.org.

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