The Flea to Present Second Part of THE CUTTHROAT SERIES, 10/14-25

The Flea Announces 2nd Part of Grand Guignol Series, The Cutthroat Series: Grand Guignol Duels -- Cruelty, October 14-25.

The Flea Theater presents Pod 2 of their terrifying 4 part theatrical event - THE CUTTHROAT SERIES: GRAND GUIGNOL DUELS beginning October 14. These turn of the century French plays alternate between ghastly horrors and carnal comedies to create a gripping, deplorable evening of theater. To add to that thrill, audience members will vote on their favorite play from each of the four pods (titled GORE, CRUELTY, NIGHT TERROR, and LUST) and the winners will return for an extended run in January. The winner from GORE was TICS, OR DOING THE DEED.

The second Pod, titled CRUELTY, will include three one-acts, directed by Flea Resident Directors and featuring The Bats. All shows are designed by Andrew Diaz (set), Scot Gianelli (lighting), D.R. Baker (sound) and Alex J. Gould (fight direction). Featured are:

THE WOMAN WHO WAS ACQUITTED
Written by Andre de Lorde
Directed by Anne Cecelia Haney with Costume Design by Kara Branch
Featuring Isabella Sazak, David Alexander, A.J. Ditty, William Serri, Sarah Harper, and Jimmy Dailey
In the back room of a courthouse, an accused child murderer is privately interrogated. A doctor's unusual bedside manner brings out a truth - but can the judge stop her?

THE GET-A-WAY
Based on a play by Frederick Witney and Adapted by Rhett Rossi
Directed by David Delaney with Costume Design by Becky Willett
Featuring Stephanie Heitman, Ben Kaufman, Paul Thomas Truitt, and Ricardy Fabre
Laura waits in a remote cabin for her illicit lover, but her evening takes an unfortunate turn when she is confronted with two drifters with an appetite for more than table scraps.

THE SYSTEM
Written by Andre De Lorde and Adapted by Michael Raine
Directed by Michael Raine with Costume Design by Heather Carey
Featuring Ryan Stinnett, Jimmy Dailey, Matt Cox, David Alexander, Edan Jacob Levy, Cristina Pitter, Julia Anrather, Ricardy Fabre, William Serri, Artem Kreimer, and Paul Thomas Truitt
Two reporters visit an insane asylum to learn of its unique methods. Upon arrival they quickly realize that the system isn't what it seems.

Anne Cecelia Haney, is a Brooklyn-based director, and producer. Raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, she holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature. Recent projects include Measure for Measure (Underling Productions, Assistant Director) and El Coquí Espectacular & The Bottle of Doom (The Brick Theater). She is the Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Mad/Ecstatic Collective.

David Delaney is a brooklyn-based director and producer. He has developed and produced work with The Flea, The Atlantic, Theater for the New City, and Ma-Yi Theaters amongst others. His project Under the Hood which melds game theory and theatrical conventions was featured in the 2014 Come out and Play Festival and will be presented as part of The Best Games Festival in Pittsburg. He is a founding member of Play-well with Others.

Michael Raine A director, choreographer and teacher, Michael is thrilled to be part of the Halloween edition of The Cutthroat Series. He has been a faculty member at NYU's graduate acting program since 2008, as well as having directed and choreographed for NYU/CAP21 Conservatory, University of Miami, Music Theater Italy and Juilliard Drama. He has choreographed productions for Theater for a New City, Lincoln Center Jazz, NYMF, The National Yiddish Theater and the Maverick Theater in NYC. He has worked regionally for The Weston Playhouse, The Egg Theater in Albany, The Cincinnati Playhouse, Le Petite Theatre in New Orleans, and choreographed the Japanese tour of Rent.

Rhett Rossi's play, In God's Hat, (written under the pseudonym Richard Taylor - as he also acted in it) premiered in NY at the Peter Jay Sharp at Playwright's Horizons. The New York Times reviewed the play as, "in a single word: terrific" and "downright thrilling". His plays have been produced in NY, Chicago and San Francisco. Rhett is currently working on a commission piece for SF playhouse in conjunction with Bisno Productions. He has also developed a pilot with HBO about minor league hockey. He is very grateful to be a part of this series at The Flea Theater for whom he has mad respect for. Special thanks to Dave Delaney and our four brave actors.

The Bats are the resident acting company members of The Flea Theater. Each year over a thousand actors audition for a place in this unique company. The Bats perform in extended runs of challenging classic and new plays. The Bats have recently appeared in premieres by A.R. Gurney, Will Eno, Adam Rapp, Beau Willimon, Mac Wellman, Elizabeth Swados, Thomas Bradshaw, Itamar Moses, Sheila Callaghan, Julian Sheppard, Ken Urban, Tommy Smith, Jonathan Reynolds, Trista Baldwin, Laurel Haines, Qui Nguyen, Sean Graney, and Amy Freed.

The Flea Resident Director Program is an intensive program that invites young directors to work in support of The Flea's season under the supervision of Artistic Director Jim Simpson. Residents direct readings and workshops with The Bats throughout the season with the goal of a full production. Resident director productions include My Daughter Keeps Our Hammer, Mary-Kate Olsen is in Love, The Recommendation, a cautionary tail, White Hot, I Hate Mexicans, Job, The Wundelsteipen, The Electric Lighthouse, American Sexy, and Just Cause.

The Flea Theater, under Artistic Director Jim Simpson and Producing Director Carol Ostrow, is one of New York's leading off-off-Broadway companies. Winner of a Special Drama Desk Award for outstanding achievement, Obie Awards and an Otto for political theater, The Flea has presented over 100 plays and numerous dance and live music performances since its inception in 1996. Past productions include the premieres by Steven Banks, Thomas Bradshaw, Bathsheba Doran, Will Eno, Karen Finley, Amy Freed, Sean Graney, A.R. Gurney, Hamish Linklater, Enrique Gutiérrez Ortiz Monasterio, Itamar Moses, Anne Nelson, Qui Nguyen, Adam Rapp, Jonathan Reynolds, Roger Rosenblatt, Elizabeth Swados, and Mac Wellman. Recent successes include Drama Desk nominated She Kills Monsters, These Seven Sicknesses and Restoration Comedy, The Mysteries and eight World Premieres by A.R. Gurney including the WSJ Best New Play of 2013, Family Furniture.

The Cutthroat Series: CRUELTY runs October 14-25 (9PM on Oct 14-15,17-18; 7PM on Oct 19-20, 22, 24-25; 5pm on Oct 18). The Flea Theater is located at 41 White Street between Church and Broadway, three blocks south of Canal, close to the A/C/E, N/R/Q, 6, J/Z and 1 subway lines. Tickets $15 - $35 with lowest priced tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. They can be purchased by calling 212-352-3101 or online at www.theflea.org.

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