Ilene Kristen Joins MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING 2/3

Ilene Kristen joins the cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding February 3rd! She will fill the role of Aunt Toniann, currently played by Carla Marie Mercun.
The production currently features Anthony J. Wilkinson, Gregg Baker, Eric Carpenter, Brett Douglas, Liz Gerecitano, Leah Gerstel, Randi Kaplan, Chad Kessler, Carla-marie Mercun, Marissa Perry, Meagan Robar, Joe Scanio, Adam Shorsten, Billy Yoder and Adam Zelasko. Teresa A. Cicala directs.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding is described as such: "Planning a wedding can be hell... or a hell of a lot of fun! Two handsome grooms, one overbearing Italian mother, a jealous ex-boyfriend, the wedding planner from Hell, and an assortment of kooky family and friends all gather together for Off-Broadway's newest laugh-out-loud comedy with a heart."

The production also features choreography by J. Austin Eyer, scenic design by Rob Santeramo, costume design by Philip Heckman, lighting design by Graham Kindred, choreography by J. Austin Eyer, original music and lyrics by David James Boyd, scenic design by Rob Santeramo, costume design by Philip Heckman and lighting design by Graham Kindred.

A native New Yorker, Ilene made her Broadway debut as a dancer in Henry, Sweet Henry. She originated the role of Patty Simcox in Grease and portrayed the infamous Leona Helmsley in Mayor. Off-Broadway shows include Acts of Providence, All That Glitters, Light Up the Sky, The Dolphin Position, Cowboy, Trust, The Gig at Goodspeed and Marvin's Room at the Helen Hayes in Nyack. She recently appeared there in "Asking for Trouble", "Silver to a Trading Agent" and a new comedy revue called "Bar Night Plays. Film appearances include Preacherman, Lady in Red, Why Would I Lie, Tinseltown, Signs of the Cross, Mattie Fresno and the Holloflux Universe, Luscious, Knock, Knock Manhattanites, Hunting Season and My Big Assed Mother with Abel Ferrara. Perhaps best known for her portrayal of Delia Ryan on Ryan's Hope, she is currently the gambling, beer-guzzling and always inappropriate hairdresser Roxy Balsom on One Life to Live for which she received the 2004 and 2005 Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Ilene along with a rockin' quartet is a regular performer at The Triad where she has guest starred in Erotic Broadway.

In addition to a full time performing career Ilene was a co-founder of The Jean Renoir Cinema (1976-78) a film theatre showing independent and foreign films and during that time produced the award winning short"The Aftermath" In 1997 she was one of the producers of the feature "Angels with Angles" starring Frank Gorshin and Rodney Dangerfield. As a songwriter, Ilene has penned album cuts for teenage phenom Kaitlyn Lusk and jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb as well as producing for the label Tuxedo Records.

St. Luke's Theatre is located at 308 West 46th Street. Tickets are $69.50, including $1.50 restoration fee, and are available through Telecharge.com or by phone at (212) 239-6200.

For more information visit www.BigGayItalianWedding.com