JUDAS By Robert Patrick Opens 4/29 at Phoenix Theatre Ensemble

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble announces the casting, directors, design team for Robert Patrick's Judas, which will start previews on April 27, with official opening Sun April 29, and will run through May 13 at The Wild Project at 195 East 3rd Street in NYC.

In Patrick's version of 'the greatest story ever told,' Mary is the political revolutionary mother of a reluctant pacifist 30-year old prophet; Pilate is the urbane, witty and reasonable Prefect of the Roman Province of Judea, and Judas is a young man who is a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth and the protégé of Pontius Pilate. Judas struggles with what to believe and who to follow in this modern-dress battle of wills. The play concludes with Pilate and the prophet in an explosive ultimate showdown between simple faith and political opportunity.

Featured in the 8-member cast are Josh Tyson as Judas, Craig Smith as Pilate, and Jeffrey Marc Alkins as Jesus of Nazareth. Elise Stone will be seen as Mary and Craig Bannister as Joseph; Josh Moser is Klautus, Pilate's Chief of Staff, Ariel Estrada as the disciple Peter and Jim Sterling as Herod, King of Judea. Craig Smith is directing, Leo Lion is assistant director, Debbi Hobson is costume designer, Attilio Rigotti is video/projection designer, Juan Merchan is designing sets and lights, and Ellen Mandel is original music composer and sound designer, and Kerem SmithStone is assistant stage manager.

Robert Patrick's long and distinguished career began at New York's legendary Café Cino in the 1960's with his first play "Haunted Host." He went on to become a celebrated pioneer of Off-Off-Broadway theatre and the gay-theatre movement and in the 1970's Samuel French Publishing called him "New York's Most-Produced Playwright." His best known work, "Kennedy's Children," was produced in London, Broadway (Tony Award Shirley Knight), and around the world and is still frequently revived. However, Patrick has long held that his seldom produced "Judas" is his best work.

Craig Smith, Producing Artistic Director, states "this is the perfect conclusion to the PTE 2017-18 season which is thematically based on charismatics and the people who follow them. We began with Moliere's Tartuffe, followed by Cusumano's The Cult Play, and now with Judas we have one of the great charismatics of all time in the prophet Jesus of Nazareth, but Patrick has given us another very compelling leader in his singular creation of Pilate. This is a work for 2018 America, it is funny, provocative and deeply moving. I have been waiting for the right time to produce Judas and I think the right time is now."

Judas by Robert Patrick

April 27 through May 13; performances Tues-Sat @8pm; some Wed. and Sat @2pm; and Sun @3pm.

Information: http://www.phoenixtheatreensemble.org/; 212-465-3446

Tickets: Tickets are $35.00; Call 212-352-3101 or visit www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org.

The Wild Project @ 195 East 3rd Street St (Avenue A and Avenue B)

By Subway: 4,5,6 Train to Astor Place; F train to 2nd Avenue; N & R Train at Broadway & 8th Street. Bus 3rd Ave M103 to 4th Street; 2nd Ave M15 to 4th Street

Photo: Josh Tyson as Judas and Jeffrey Marc Alkins as Jesus of Nazareth in Robert Patrick's JUDAS. Photo by Monty Stilson

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is a non-profit theatre company now in its 14th season of presenting new and classical works. The 2017-18 season includes American Moor by Keith Hamilton Cobb (July/August @ Boston Center for the Arts); Tartuffe by Moliere (October/November in NYC), The Cult Play, world premiere by Topher Cusumano (January/February in NYC); and Judas by Robert Patrick (April/May in NYC). The reading series for 2017-18 will be rarely performed plays by Pirandello. www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org

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