Soaking WET Presents the World Premiere of Tricia Brouk's COMMITTED, Now thru 4/20

Committed is a dark and intensely beautiful book musical that hopes to not only entertain, but also create awareness around mental illness. The topic of mental illness needs to be more readily talked about with compassion and awareness. Committed is focused on eight people, played by Sarah Bierstock, Alexis Fishman, Heather Hamilton, Mike Longo, Erica Lustig, Hiroyuki Matsuura, Kathryn Mowat Murphy and Andrew David Sotomayor, who are working through the pain of their mental illnesses at an Upper East Side psychiatric clinic during the late 80's. Their poignant personal stories, told through song and dance, touch on several mental illnesses and the rollercoaster of emotions they evoke. The characters are likable and relatable. We understand them and want them to get better. The subject matter is difficult, but there is no lack of humor.

Committed, presented by The Bang Group's Soaking WET series, will premiere at The West End Theatre today, April 17th, 18th, 19th at 6:30 pm, April 20th at 2pm (Please note the early curtain time). Written and directed by Tricia Brouk (Golden Thumb recipient from Roger Ebert for Romance and Cigarettes, writer, director and choreographer of 50 Shades of F****D Up, a musical parody and screen play that had sold out runs in New York City and The Red House Theater in Syracuse). Committed features 11 original songs by lyricist/composer, Andrew David Sotomayor, who is also the lyricist/composer for 50 Shades of F****d Up and whose original song The Right Time, earned a 2014 Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs (MAC) Award for Best Song.

The Bang Group (TBG) is a rhythm based, non-profit theatrical dance company in New York City. TBG has toured in 13 countries and 23 states, many of TBG's works have achieved international acclaim (Velcro Duet, Slapstuck (Bessie Award for Design),Nut/Cracked- which has been touring for the past 10 seasons and ShowDown- a danced version of Annie Get Your Gun).

"Committed explores the emotional complexities of eight people struggling with mental illness. Through song and dance, we get to know and love each character. It is my hope that not only will Committed entertain, but will also start a dialogue that ultimately destigmatizes mental illness."- Tricia Brouk, Director

For tickets, $15, log onto www.committedthemusical.com. Running Time: 80 minutes with no intermission.