Photo Flash - BOB: Blessed Be The Dysfunction That Binds, Previews 1/19

The Open Book, Marvin Kaye Co-founder and Artistic Director is set to present the fully staged production of "BOB, Blessed Be The Dysfunction That Binds" written and performed by Anne Pasquale and directed by Mary Ann Hay. The production previews Thursday, January 19th at 8:00 pm and opens Friday, January 20th at 8:00 pm. Performances continue Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, January 19th through February 4th 2012. All tickets are $18.00 and can be purchased on line at www.smarttix.com or by calling (212) 864 4444. The 78th Street Theatre Lab is located at 236 West 78th Street, just East of Broadway.

When mental illness comes home the entire family has special needs. In “BOB, Blessed Be The Dysfunction That Binds” actress and writer Anne Pasquale invites you to meet her special needs brother Bob, her family and share with them in the crisis, craziness, laughter ,tears and triumph that highlight this coming of age journey. This 90 minute solo show promises to shed some light on the lives of folks with disabilities and those who love them. You can learn more about the project at www.kickstarter.com or by visiting http://kck.st/sU1Kmi.

Playwright and performer Anne Pasquale has appeared in The New Dramatist's “Three Sisters,” Lincoln Center's “A View from the Bridge,” Theatre of the Open Eye’s “Birdbath,” The 78th Street Theatre Lab’s “Ruffian on the Stair” and “Paradise Lost” at The Actors Studio and Gallery Player’s “The Altruist” by TJ Edwards directed by Mr Brad Malow. Ms. Pasquale is a founding member of Accidental Repertory Theater and as such she has appeared in various ART productions under the direction of Mr. John Strasberg including Serafina Della Rosa in the “Rose Tattoo” section of “Tennessee Williams: “The Writer and His World,” Emma Goldman and Kristina Linde in “Variations on a Dolls House,” and the role of Judith Keith, the Jewish wife in “Brecht on Brecht.” Additionally Ms. Pasquale is an established teaching artist, the proud recipient of the Young Audience New York 2009 Roster Artist of the Year Award and creates and tours her repertoire of educational assemblies under the banner of “Living History Programs” for audiences of all ages in venues along the East Coast. Ms. Pasquale is also a member of The Actor's Studio. www.annepasquale.com.

Director Mary Ann Hay has directed and choreographed numerous musicals in collaboration with ArtsConnection and Music Theatre International in New York City. As an actress she has appeared in theater, film, TV and commercials including the role of Real Jean opposite Denis Leary in Rescue Me on FX TV. She is a member of SAG, AFTRA, AEA, Theatre Artists Workshop of Westport, Polaris North and Accidental Repertory Theater in New York City.

The design team includes sound by Keith Herron.

Founded in 1975, THE OPEN BOOK is New York’s oldest professional readers theatre company whose mission is to present the best of all worlds of literature—prose, poetry, drama and even nonfiction—to culturally diverse audiences with an emphasis on new under-appreciated literature and works of excellence.

Photo Credit: Keith Herron

Anne Pasquale

Anne Pasquale