MISS KIM Comes To 45th Street Theatre Off B'way

Elvin Roytman and Bein' It Productions will present the Off-Broadway run of Gina Kim and Ryan Tofil's MISS KIM, a daring and brutally honest new play about a young Korean- American woman at war with her abusers, her family and herself, January 17 to 29th at the 45th Street Theatre. Matthew Corozine directs the production that will officially open on January 20.

A raw and naked account of the psychological torment behind sexual abuse and family betrayal, MISS KIM is the strikingly candid true-story of Gina Kim's battle to salvage sanity and spirit through humor, years after being molested by her uncle. Family denial, gut wrenching heartbreak and a slew of misguided decisions pervade this new play that pits past transgressions against a present dating life in a war for love and happiness.

"Sexual abuse is a subject most people simply don't want to talk about," explains Director Matthew Corozine, "especially in the Korean culture, which is ironic, because Korea has one of the highest populations of sex offenders. But stories like Gina's need to be told to let survivors see that the past is really the past and that they're still whole, complete and worthy of living a fulfilling life."

The cast of MISS KIM includes Broadway's Kathy Dietch (Wicked, Footloose, Hair at Encores!), Tessa Faye, Justin Gentry, Gina Kim, Matthew McCurdy and Ryan Tofil.

Gina Kim recently produced 2 short films and currently in process of creating her first musical. She has performed back-up vocals for K-POP stars in Korea, various pageant competitions, singing competitions, Regional Theatre (Flower Drum Song as Mei Li), Local Theatre (Chorus Line as Connie), and the 2011 NYC Koreatown Vagina Monologues in addition to working in Finance, which she has for 13 years. She has degrees from New York University and Hunter College with a BA in Psychology and Economics.

Ryan Tofil (Playwright) teaches acting at the Mathew Corozine Studio (MCS) in Times Square and has also taught and directed preteens at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA). He also teaches Special Education in the NYC public school system. Ryan has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre from the New School University, with an additional focus on creative writing. He co-wrote and performed in the critically acclaimed MISS KIM, THE PLAY, which was originally produced through MCS and FringeNYC in 2010. He is currently writing and work-shopping a new play shining a homosexual light on the biblical laws of Leviticus titled, LEVITICUS IN LOVE.

Matthew Corozine (Director) has been training actors "to get outta their head" since 2000. He created the Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre (MCS) in NYC, an acting studio rooted in The Meisner Technique and is proud to "house" working actors, budding talent, a teaching staff of 4 (MCS musical theatre class coming soon) and a support staff of 3 and growing! In NYC, Matthew Corozine and his acting studio have produced and directed over 15 productions. In 2009, Matthew Corozine directed the FRINGEnyc critically acclaimed hit, THE BOYS UPSTAIRS, (Soho Playhouse) that was extended as part of the FRINGEnyc Encore Series. For the 2010 FRINGEnyc Matthew directed MISS KIM written by MCS' Ryan Tofil (Acting Teacher) and Gina Kim (inspired by the personal monologue exercises at MCS). Matthew also has guest coached on Reality TV. MCS students have appeared in film/tv in LA and NYC on Broadway in WICKED; LEGALLY BLONDE, GYPSY, THE ADDAMS FAMILY; ROCK OF AGES; BOOK OF MORMON; ANYTHING GOES; WONDERLAND, RENT among others. MCS hopes to expand and build a bigger theatre and offices in 2012.

Set and lighting design are by David S. Goldstein, costume design is by Michelle Eden Humphrey and the Stage Manager is Laura Hirschberg.

Performances of MISS KIM are Thursday's - Sundays. Thursday and Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 7PM. Matinee performances are on Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM.

Tickets for MISS KIM are $18.00 and can be ordered online at www.smarttix.com, or at www.misskimtheplay.com

As part of an ongoing commitment to support organizations that make a difference for victims of abuse, the production team of MISS KIM has chosen the Korean American Family Service Center (non-profit serving to prevent and end domestic violence and relationship abuse) and Restore NYC (non-profit empowering survivors of sex trafficking) to be community beneficiaries of the 2012 MISS KIM production.

The 45th St. Theatre is located at 354 West 45th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues in NYC.

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