Hazeldon Foundation's BILL W. AND DR. BOB Opens Tonight at Soho Playhouse

The Hazelden Foundation presents the off-Broadway production of Bill W. and Dr. Bob by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey. Tickets are now on sale. Performances began Monday, July 8, 2013 at the Soho Playhouse in New York City. Opening night is tonight, July 16, 2013. For tickets, visit www.sohoplayhouse.com or call 866-811-4111 For Group Sales inquiries, email: billwgroupsales@gmail.com.

The award-winning play about the astonishing relationship between the two men that led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 in Akron Ohio, and their wives Lois and Anne and the founding of Al Anon Family Groups-a great American success story of the power of authentic connection to heal, told with humor and heart. For more about the show, visit www.billwanddrbob.com.

BILL W. AND DR. BOB will be directed by Seth Gordon (Associate Artistic Director, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Producer/Director Primary Stages, NYC) and will feature the design work of Teresa Snider-Stein (costumes; I'm Not Rappaport) and Ann Wrightson (lighting; August; Osage County, Tony nominee). Roy Gabay Productions is General Manager (Chaplin, Rock of Ages). Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey are award-winning writers of fiction (The House of God) and nonfiction (We Have to Talk: Healing Dialogues Between Women and Men), and doctors who have treated alcoholics and addicts for many years, at Harvard Medical School.

"On behalf of Hazelden Foundaiton, we could not be more thrilled to present this production Off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse, which is the perfect venue for Bill W. & Dr. Bob. At the end of this inspirational and entertaining performance, one leaves the theatre thirsting for more. Our hope is that everyone whose life has been touched by addiction-which means almost anyone at all-has an opportunity to experience this play Off-Broadway." - Nick Motu, Hazelden Publisher and Vice President

"When I direct this play, it amazes me how much everyone is moved by it. Even the most casual theatre-goer can appreciate how these two men find each other and change the world, just by healing each other. It's such a privilege to put this play on for people."-Seth Gordon, Director

BILL W. AND DR. BOB comes to Off Broadway after being produced in some thirty of the fifty United States, Australia, Canada, and England, to rave reviews and sold-out houses. It attracts a remarkably-diverse theatre audience, including many of those in the recovery community-helping to break down barriers with the general public, health care professionals, public servants, family, friends, and co-workers-and to bring to light the essence of this holistic treatment program, with physical, mental, and spiritual elements, that Bill Wilson and Dr. BoB Smith discovered 78 years ago.

Our vision and our service in this production will be Celebration, Education, and Outreach:

Celebrate the miracle of recovery in the lives of millions in AA and other 12-step programs, including Al Anon Family Groups;

Educate about the nature of alcoholism and other substance abuse, and the path to recovery, to de-stigmatize and de-mystify this disease and its treatment;

Outreach to all who still suffer-especially young people-and their families and friends, to "Pass it on!"

Since its 1949 founding in a Minnesota lakeside farmhouse, Hazelden has become one of the world's largest and most respected private not-for-profit alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers. Thousands in every state and more than 40 countries have turned to Hazelden for quality addition treatment, recovery support, and expertise on addiction and recovery issues. Hazelden helps restore hope, healing, and health to people affected by addiction.

This production is funded entirely by tax-exempt donations to Hazelden Foundation, with revenues going back to Hazelden for scholarships for young people, and a national college tour to deal with the epidemic of binge drinking on campus. Our vision is that, by working with donations only-without investors--the production will be self-sustaining, fulfilling its vision and service for a long run.

For information on making a donation go to: www.billwanddrbob.com. Performance of this work does not imply affiliation with nor approval or endorsement from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.