SLEEPOVER by 17-Year-Old Playwright Debuts at FringeNYC Tonight, 8/12

Seventeen-year-old Chelsea native and award-winning playwright Max W. Friedlich will see the World Premiere of his searing drama SleepOver in this year's renowned New York International Fringe Festival. Developed in tandem with New York Theatre Workshopand Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwright's Program, the full-length play dives headlong into the emotional minefield two New York teens face as they explore the boundaries of school pressures, race, class and the challenges of friendship in modern-day New York City.

Chosen as a winner of a 2012 Stephen Sondheim Young Playwrights Award, SleepOver grew out of Friedlich's desire to see his peers portrayed not just realistically, but powerfully. Audiences can expect an explosive glimpse into the language, social lives, sexuality and isolation of contemporary teen life.

To lead the creative team, Friedlich handpicked director Dann Fink, a two-time veteran of FringeNYC, whose New York Times favorite The Hurricane Katrina Comedy Festival, and the Dungeons and Dragons-themed Audience Favorite Saving Throw Versus Love were both awarded slots in the highly sought Fringe Encores series in 2010.

The cast features recent LaGuardia High School grads BranDon Reilly and Jared Kemp, along with Marcus Maurice (Jitney; HBO'S OZ) and Brandy Zarle (August: Osage County, Second Stage's Once Around the City).

Scenic design is by Stephen Dobay, lighting by Ryan Metzler, sound design by John Emmett O'Brien, costumes by Kathleen Doyle, and casting by Cindi Rush Casting, all Fringe Festival veterans. Julie Miller, also a Fringe veteran, serves as Line Producer.

SleepOver will be performed at The Cherry Lane Theatre, located at 38 Commerce Street. Showtimes are tonight, Aug. 12 at 9:00pm; Aug. 17 at 2:00pm; Aug. 21 at 8:30pm; Aug. 22 at 7:00pm; and Aug. 25 at 5:30pm.

For more information and tickets, visit www.fringenyc.org.