Phoenix Theatre Ensemble to Stage Dostoevsky's GAMBLER

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble (PTE), now in its 12th season, announces that Olivier-nominated playwright Glyn Maxwell's The Gambler will begin performances on January 21, 2016 at The Wild Project at 195 East 3rd Street in NYC's East Village. It will be playing in repertory with Strindberg's Creditors through February 14.

Fyodor Dostoevsky in 1866, in serious debt, addicted to roulette and rejected by several women, wrote 'The Gambler,' a brilliant tragicomic novella in a feverish few weeks to stave off ruin. Set in Roulettenburg, a fictional spa town in the Alps, Maxwell's new version takes us deep into the mind of Alexei Ivanovich, servant to a bankrupt family, who falls madly in love twice- first with the lovely unobtainable Polina, then with the forbidden thrill of the Casino. In the meantime a cast of villains and victims--Polina's weak, infatuated uncle 'the General', the pretty young gold-digger he falls for, and a scheming French aristocrat with designs on Polina--wait to inherit millions from her dying Granny - until the old lady herself bursts in, foul-mouthed, furious, and up for a good time.

Maxwell was originally commissioned by the BBC to adapt Dostoevsky's novella 'The Gambler' into a radio play, which aired in 2009 and 2010. Maxwell, who serves as Phoenix Theatre Ensemble's playwright in residence, has now adapted The Gambler for the stage, which is directed by Karen Lordi-Kirkham with PTE resident actors Elise Stone, John Lenartz, Joe Menino, Morgan Rosse, Matt Stapleton and introducing new actors to the ensemble as the two leads, John Cosentino as Alexi and Poppy Liu as Polina.

The NYIT nominee design team includes Jennifer Stimple-Kamei (sets and costumes), Tsubasa Kamei (sets and lights), sound by Ellen Mandel. Stage Manager is Mark Brystowski.

Tickets are $25, discount 4-admission passes are available, TDF Vouchers are welcome, Group discounts available. To order tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org.

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