Previews Of AVOW Begin 2/19

The Cardinal Group (D.H.  Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents "Avow" by Bill C.  Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354  West 45 Street. Previews begin this  Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at  7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement.  The play takes a timely and poignant  look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues, especially with  Proposition 8. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about  who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in  our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron  Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah  Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily  Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston.  The
production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Brian and  Tom ask their liberal parish priest, Father Raymond, to witness and bless their  vows to each other. Although Father Raymond understands their affection for each  other, he stresses that they must live a celibate life if they wish to be part  of the Church. Brian is then outraged while Tom becomes reflective. Irene,  Brian's sister, is single and to become a mother. Brian has convinced her to  have the baby, which he and Tom will adopt. Desiring nothing more than her  brother's happiness and security, she tries to mediate between the couple and  the priest. Much to her surprise she discovers a deep attraction to the priest  with the attraction turning out to be
mutual. This forces Father Raymond to  reexamine his life. Rose, Brian's and Irene's mother, works
very hard to come to  terms with her son's and daughter's "exotic" lifestyles in this timely  production.

Bill C. Davis is the  author of "Mass Appeal," which  premiered at The Manhattan Theatre Club, directed by Geraldine Fitzgerald, and  starred Milo O'Shea and Eric Roberts. The play moved to Broadway where it  received the Outer Critic's Circle Award. Mr. Davis adapted the play as a  screenplay and it was made into a movie starring Jack Lemmon and Charles Durning  and was chosen one of the ten best films for that year by The National Board of  Review. He also performed the role of Mark Dolson with Milo O'Shea, Charles Durning and Brian Keith. "Mass  Appeal" has played in Paris, where it received a  Molière Award; as well as staged in Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Sweden, South  Africa, Rome, Australia and in Munich, Germany.  Another play "Dancing in the End-Zone," premiered in a  production directed by Jose Ferrer and starring Elaine Stritch.

The play moved  to Broadway under Melvin Bernhardt's direction, with Pat Carroll. It was also  performed in Los  Angeles starring Lois Nettleton, where it received a Dramalogue award. His play, "Wrestlers,"  had its premiere in Los Angeles, with Mr. Davis acting opposite Mark Harmon. The  play was Critic's Choice for the LA  Times. Also in LA, he directed his play "Spine" with Meredith
Baxter and  Mackenzie Astin. It was also directed by the author at The George Street  Playhouse. He is collaborating on an original musical, "Austin's Bridge."  His most recent play, "The Sex King," received a workshop  production at Carnegie-Mellon University and is currently under  option.  He also writes political  essays and just completed his first novel, "Connecticut Wildlife."

Jerry Less has directed  "Henry IV Parts One" and "Two," "Antony and Cleopatra," world premiere of  "The Jazz Age" (lives of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest  Hemingway) by Allan Knee, "LOL," "Larry's Way," "Kit Marlowe" (Princeton Rep), "Half The Battle - life of Susan B.  Anthony" (national tour and Edinburgh  Festival), "Saint Nicholas" by Benjamin  Britten, and has also worked with Ashlawn Opera and Bronx Opera. This production  of "Avow" marks his fifth time  directing for Bill C. Davis, including the concert readings of "All Hallowed" with Frances Sternhagen and Malachy  McCourt and "Avow" with Marsha Mason and Frederick Weller.

Performances of the  limited Off Broadway engagement of "Avow" are: Wednesday – Saturday at  8:00pm; matinees at 2:00pm on  Saturday 2/21 & 3/7 and Sundays 3/1 & 3/8.  Opening 2/25 is at 7:00 pm, and a special performance Monday 2/23  at 8:00pm, through March 8th.  Tickets are only $18.00 and available through Smarttix: online at www.smarttix.com or by phone at (212)  868-4444.  For information please  call (212) 560-2221.

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