REBELLION DOGS to Return to the Stage at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange

REBELLION DOGS, an original play written and directed by Leelee Stranger, returns to the stage at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange for a very limited special engagement, following a sold out world premiere presentation at the Arthur Seleen Theater in Manhattan earlier this year.

Based on real events, REBELLION DOGS is a one-act play about lovers and friends longing for connection while dying of loneliness.

Meet Nila and Elliott, a young couple living in a dark basement apartment in sunny California. Lonely, lost and in love, they strive for intimacy and connection only to be thwarted by their past and the barriers they unwittingly pit against one another. Unable to return to the simplicity of their youth, they struggle to move on together, but rebellion dogs their every step.

"I'm a recovering heroin addict. There's no way to put that gently, although I try to everyday day," says Brooklyn-based playwright and director Leelee Stranger. "I don't look like people's imagined drug fiend. When people find out, we do a little dance. They want to know, how did that happen? So I wrote a play about it. REBELLION DOGS is my attempt to share what active addiction was like for me. It's written viscerally. The audience is invited in - not only to see it, but to feel it." The piece feels especially poignant against the overdose epidemic that is currently sweeping the country. "If there's any way my personal experience can help further the understanding and battle the tragic consequences of addiction, I am humbled and privileged to be of service."

The cast of REBELLION DOGS features Marc Lombardo, Victoria Ratermanis and Tyler Reed. REBELLION DOGS is written, directed and produced by Leelee Stranger. The production also includes Carlotta Brentan (Associate Producer) and Jared Myers (Light and Sound Design.)

Leelee Stranger (Author, Director, Producer) was born in the States and grew up in Finland before relocating to California when she turned 21, where she spent the better part of a decade immersing herself in Californian party culture. REBELLION DOGS is her first play, an autobiographical story about the culmination of those party years. Her previous credits include co-writing and starring in the short film "Traveling with Ani" directed by John McNulty, which will be featured in the 9th Annual Reel Recovery Film Festival in Los Angeles in October 2017. Leelee lives and creates in Brooklyn, and is excited to bring REBELLION DOGS to local audiences.

Marc Lombardo (Elliott) is an actor based in New York. Favorite roles include Sid in WAITING FOR LEFTY (St Paul's Theater) and Macbeth in MACBETH. Upcoming projects include playing Victor in LOU GEHRIG DID NOT DIE OF CANCER (Under St. Mark's Theater, Sept. 17-19, 2017) and a site-specific production of MR. BOOM, a new play by Jake Fallon (December 2017.)

Victoria Ratermanis (Nila) is a Brooklyn-based actor, who has been a part of REBELLION DOGS since its conception. Since having trained at Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab, she has played such roles as Andy Warhol in Leelee's film "Traveling With Ani," Trisha in the original play SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA, and Becca in "The Rose Garden," for which she recently won the Best Actress award at the 2017 North East Film Festival.

Tyler Reed (Odets) is an American actor. He has studied most recently at Playhouse West and with Elizabeth Kemp. He made his Off-Broadway debut last April with the Chain Theater in their production of IN THE BOOM BOOM ROOM by David Rabe. Dedicating these performances to the memory of Elizabeth Kemp for all her love and guidance, Rest In Peace.

Note: REBELLION DOGS is recommended for mature audiences.

Performances will be held October 6th and 7th at 8pm at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange (421 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215). Tickets: $17 online and $20 at the door. Tickets include a complimentary beverage. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Learn more at www.rebelliondogs.org or email rebelliondogs2017@gmail.com.

This production is being presented through BAX's Visitors Program, a subsidized performance package rental program, and is a self-production by Stranger Productions.

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