Joanna Pickering's New Work CEASE AND DESIST Will Be Performed at Theater 555

Playwright Joanna Pickering is set to unveil her psychological thriller, Cease and Desist, with its first performances in New York City this February and March.

The production will have its first look performance dates at Theater 555 on February 25th, March 11th, and March 18th, with its full off-Broadway production planned for later in 2025.

Set in the high-flying luxury world of executive entertainment, Cease and Desist follows an idyllic relationship that takes a dangerous turn. When the couple are forced to seek marriage therapy, as dark secrets and vulnerabilities are exposed, they must decide how far they will go to protect themselves. Audiences can expect suspense, explosive storytelling, and unexpected twists. Industry insiders have described it as a startling take on the psychological thriller.

Pickering is also set to perform in her work as a solo piece. Cease and Desist's tony-nominated Broadway and off Broadway producer Eric Krebs says, "I was overwhelmed by Pickering's driven and focused energy on stage. That combination with her writing skills is a force to be reckoned with."

Pickering's plays have been produced on world-wide stages and gain attention for their psychological depth and ability to impact audiences. Her work often tackle themes of abuse combined with fearless storytelling.

Cease and Desist is similarly themed as a disturbing psychological thriller. It involves high stake mind-games, manipulation and fraud. "I was also interested in trust and how we share vulnerability. I was told about the thin skull plaintiff law." Pickering explains, "When a person is vulnerable, we have, by law, a greater responsibility to that person, not less. I wanted to explore what happens when you push that person to the limit. Things are going to get interesting." While Pickering acknowledges her work's advocacy, she insists her main goal is to create a realistic edge of the seat thriller.

"I got the facts on the law. I had consults with a N.Y. super-attorney who knew the depths of these types of characters. If psychological games are involved, even in the aftermath, there's an entire web of deceit to unravel, a whole world of jaw-dropping discovery. The statute of limitations run from last discovery not last harm. Each reveal is a new, chilling plot twist. You can't get better grounds for a thriller. I have written a roller-coaster ride that will make you sit up and about real issues."

Cease and Desist is the basis for a novel and screenplay as well as the play. In late 2024, the story reached the table for consideration for the future slate at Frances Moody Productions, UK, the company behind the Netflix mega-hit Baby Reindeer.

"As with all my work in the last five years, it does address themes like Baby Reindeer, but it is a whole new and different story. I wrote it in late January, 2024. I'm grateful to Richard Gadd for breaking the barriers and making these issues mainstream. We need more, not less, focus on these stories. If we are fearless in telling them, they are unique, nuanced, complex, and mind-blowing."

Pickering's team agrees that the script is dynamic. "There are many mediums and avenues to explore. This is the beginning of something bigger." Pickering is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment in the USA.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Tickets for Cease and Desist will be available by RSVP at boxoffice@theater555.com.
Venue Address: 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues)
Dates: February 25th, March 11th, and March 25th. All shows 7pm.
Running time 90 mins.

The Tank, NYC, will release next dates for Cease and Desist, to be announced.
For more information and updates on all production dates, visit www.joannapickering.com.
Press photo of Miss Pickering courtesy Andrzej Liguz @moreimages, Location: Mondrain Hotel, LA, Feb, 2024.

Meet the Team

Joanna Pickering is is a multi-award-winning British playwright, actress, and screenwriter. Her plays have sold out in New York City, Paris, and London. They are available at The Drama Book Shop in New York City. In 2023, Joanna performed in her one-woman show "Don't Harm the Animals" at The Chain Theater, NYC. In 2022/23, "Bad Victims" sold out its two runs at The Courtyard Theater in London, starring Pickering and West End’s Richard Emerson (Chess, ENO Coliseum), directed by Erica Gould (Neil LaBute, Theresa Rebeck). In 2023, "Cat and Mouse" was performed at The Drama Book Shop with Pickering and TV star Dan Lauria. In 2022, "The Endgame" premiered off-Broadway at New Perspectives Theatre Company, directed by award-winning Illana Stein, before moving to Paris with The Big Funk Company. In 2021, "Truth, Lies and Deceptions" played to sold-out audiences at Le Pave D'Orsay Theatre, Paris. In 2020, "Sylvie and Sly" was performed by Caroline Aaron (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Mauricio Bustamante, directed by MultiStages, Lorca Peress. Most recently, "Lara’s Journey" was selected for the Spark Theatre festival, NYC debuting March 2025. Pickering was also selected to work with The American Ukraine Institute, NY Ensemble Studio, and Town Square Productions debuting March 2025. As an actress, Joanna performs in her own work, gaining national press. She has won Best Actress six times, including at the New York International Women Festival, the 7th Annual Los Angeles Film Awards, the Austin Film Festival, and The Actors Awards, as well as Outstanding Performance awards for her film work on "Diva" in 2023. She is a member of The Actor's Studio Playwright Directors Unit, The Actors Gym, The International Centre of Women Playwrights, The League of Professional Female Playwrights, NPTC's Women's Work LAB, and SAG. Joanna is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment, Metropolis Agency, and Talented in Paris.www.joannapickering.com @joannapickering

Eric Krebs theatrical career spans more than 50 years. On Broadway, he produced "Bill Maher: Victory Begins At Home" (Tony nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event), Neil Simon’s "The Dinner Party," "It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues" (nominated for 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical), and "Electra" (nominated for 3 Tony Awards). Current and recent Off-Broadway productions include "Romeo and Bernadette," a musical of Verona and Brooklyn (NY Times Critics Pick), Laughing Liberally's "Indictment Excitement," Judge Andrew Napolitano in "Why Is The Government in My Soup?," and the world premiere of William Mastrosimone's "Rules of Desire” and "Tallulah Hallelujah" (starring Tovah Feldshuh), as well as the world premiere of "Bash" written by Neil LaBute, The Physics Show” (Drama Desk Award - over 500 performances) and later added "That Chemistry Show" (over 300 performances). In 1974, he founded the George Street Playhouse regional theater in New Brunswick, New Jersey, now celebrating its 50th year. He built and operated Off-Broadway’s John Houseman Theater Center and Douglas Fairbanks Theater for over 20 years. Most recently, he renovated and became the operator of a 160-seat Off-Broadway theater, reopening it as Theater 555 at 555 West 42nd Street in New York City. He has been awarded the Robert Whitehead Award for excellence in producing.

Theater 555 is a 160-seat off-Broadway theatre located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues) has been rechristened as Theater 555. The theater was the home of the Signature Theatre and Pearl Theatre Company.  Its most recent tenant was the New York arm of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Theater 555 is owned and operated by longtime off-Broadway and Broadway producer Eric Krebs, whose long career has included the building and operating of the former John Houseman and Douglas Fairbanks Theaters on 42nd Street’s Theater Row for over 20 years.

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