Tony Nominee Brian Murray to Star in SIMON SAYS at Lynn Redgrave Theater

Three-time Tony Award nominee and Theater Hall of Fame inductee Brian Murray stars in the thriller, SIMON SAYS, a new play by Mat Schaffer, which will have its New York premiere at The Culture Project's Lynn Redgrave Theater (45 Bleecker Street) where it opens on Saturday, July 9th. Directed by Myriam Cyr, SIMON SAYS will begin previews on Wednesday, July 6th and will play a limited engagement through Saturday, July 30th. Tickets are $20 for previews and $30 for all other performances. Premium seating is available at $65. For tickets visit: www.cultureproject.org or call 866-811-4111.

"We only part to meet again..."

Simon Says tells the story of a young psychic who has been the subject of a retired professor, set out to scientifically prove the existence of the soul. In this thriller, the young man whose rare gift allows him to channel a mysterious entity named Simon, is ready to abandon the work until a young widow convinces him to do one last reading. Through their unexpected connection, will a 2,000-year-old murder be solved?

SIMON SAYS, penned by radio host Mat Schaffer, is loosely inspired by Edgar Cayce, one of the primary psychics of the 20th century, and Jane Roberts, who channeled a being named Seth in the 1970s. "I've always been interested in spiritualism, spirituality, religion and phenomena for which there are no easy answers," says Schaffer, who holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Mysticism from Tufts University. "I have also discovered that there are no accidents."

In addition to Brian Murray, who returns to the stage after a four year absence, the cast features newcomers Vanessa Britting and Anthony J. Goes.

The set is designed by Janie Howland, costumes are designed by Cat Stramer, and lighting is designed by John Malinovski.

The performance schedule for SIMON SAYS is as follows: Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM.

Brian Murray is an accomplished performer and director in film, theater, and television, whose career spans over four decades. Born in South Africa, he started acting as a child performer in theater productions in Johannesburg and later moved to a local theater in London, where he performed in Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet, Othello, A Midsummer's Night Dream, and King Lear, among other celebrated productions. An American Theater Hall of Fame inductee, Murray is a three-time Tony Award nominee. He is also the recipient of an Obie Award for Lifetime Achievement, two Drama Desk Awards and a Lucille Lortel Award for Body of Work. Select Broadway credits include: on Broadway: The Importance Of Being Earnest, Mary Stuart, The Rivals, The Crucible, Noises Off, and Uncle Vanya; Off-Broadway: Me Myself And I, Gaslight, Colder Than Here, The Play About The Baby; TV appearances: Person of Interest, The Good Wife, 30 Rock, Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Additionally, he has directed and acted in numerous Broadway productions and U.S. tours.

Mat Schaffer (Playwright) is the James Beard Award-nominated former restaurant critic of the Boston Herald and Boston Magazine. He has written about the Boston food scene for the Boston Globe, Food & Wine, Metropolitan Home, Cigar Aficionado, Simply Seafood, Food Illustrated, Boston Common and Where Boston magazines as well as epicurious.com. He is the co-author of Chef Daniel Bruce: Simply New England (Lyons Press, 2013). A longtime Boston radio personality, Schaffer is host of the Boston Sunday Review public affairs program on 98.5 The Sports Hub, previously having worked at WBCN-FM and KISS 108, where he critiqued film and theater as "the Culture Vulture."

Myriam Cyr (Director) is a Poet Laureate, critically acclaimed writer and award winning actress who has turned her sights to directing. Last seen in New York as Julie Taymor's princess in The Green Bird, she recently directed two premieres: NPR's Jack Beatty's new play,The Battle Not Begun, Munich 1938 and Michel Marc Bouchard's The Divine: A Play for Sarah Bernardt. Ms. Cyr is currently Artistic Director of The Black Box Lab (Hamilton, MA). Her book Letters of a Portuguese Nun was named "book of the month" for the Guardian and translated into 8 languages. Myriam was a member of Steven Berkoff's company at the Royal National Theatre under Richard Eyre and played Salome opposite Al Pacino. She is currently producing Hedda Gabler for Universal Studios in a screenplay adaptation by Oscar and Tony Award winner Christopher Hampton.

Vanessa Britting's television credits include: Back In The Game, The Protector, Desperate Housewives, Hello Ladies, Without A Trace, Numbers, and The Young And The Restless. She also co-wrote and starred in the short film Big Breaks and has appeared in independent films and comedy videos, recently writing and producing M.O.M

Anthony J. Goes' recent credits include: Captain O'Hurley in FLY (Off-Broadway), Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. Regional credits: Olives & Blood, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Comedy of Errors, Take Me Out, Moonlight & Magnolias, Paul, Much Ado About Nothing, Three Musketeers, Big Love, Hairspray, His Girl Friday, Romeo & Juliet, O Beautiful, and Odysseus DOA to name a few. Theatres: Pasadena Playhouse, New Victory, Crossroads Theatre, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Chautauqua Theatre Company and The GAMM.

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