RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS WITH BILLY HAYES Closes Off-Broadway Today; Preps for International Tour

Hayes's story became an instant legend with the publication of his best-selling book, MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, in 1976 and the release of the OSCARÒ winning movie in 1978. This one man show, stars Billy Hayes as he recounts the riveting and true story of his arrest in Istanbul in 1970 for smuggling hash, his 5 years in prison, his spiritual awakening, and his brazen, harrowing escape, rowing 17 miles across the Sea of Marmara in a raging storm in the dark of night.

Thirty-nine years later, Hayes remains a mythical figure - a cultural anti-hero known around the world. Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes returned to New York after a sold out run at the Soho Theatre in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.