THE THIRTEENTH COMMANDMENT to Make World Premiere with Libra Theater, 4/18-5/5

This spring, Libra Theater Company presents the world premiere of The Thirteenth Commandment, a new play by Joshua H. Cohen.

In this provocative, real-time drama, Jason - a popular high school teacher - tries to provoke intelligent debate among his sleepy 11th grade class by presenting "evidence" that the Holocaust didn't happen. But when the press gets wind of Jason's controversial lesson, sharp battle lines are drawn at his small ski-resort town high school, putting jobs and reputations in jeopardy.

Directed by Tom Costello, The Thirteenth Commandment features Justin Danforth, Joe Fellman, Glenna Grant, Nora Hummel*, Pete McElligott, Lauren Pennline, and Jennifer Dorr White* (Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association)

The production features scenic design by Andy Yanni, costume design by Travis Boatright, lighting design by Carl Wiemann, assistant direction by Jessika Doyel, stage management by Bridget Siebert, fight choreography by Alex Gould, dramaturgy by Molly Marinik, and assistant stage management by Bryce Lourie.

The Thirteenth Commandment will be performed at The Bridge Theatre at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, from April 18^th through May 5^th, 2013 (Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2pm; No Saturday matinee on April 20^th).

All tickets are $15. To purchase tickets, visit Libra's website at www.libratheater.org or go directly to the event ticketing page at www.artful.ly/store/events/982. (Contact reservations@libratheater.org about group rates)

The Thirteenth Commandment is an AEA Approved Showcase.

Joshua H. Cohen's honors include a Jonathan Larson Grant, the Anna Zornio Children's Theatre Playwriting Award for his lyrics to Keep On Walkin' (upcoming production, Amas), and a MAC Award nomination for his cult cabaret hit "The Sacrifice of Love" (a.k.a. the waxing song). The Thirteenth Commandment was a semifinalist for the Princess Grace and Playwrights First Awards. The musical Tamar of the River will premiere this fall with Prospect Theater Company; New York Theatre Barn and Choral Chameleon produced an oratorio version. His songs have been heard at The Duplex, No Name Presents the Uptown Cabaret, and the Laurie Beechman, including Libra's revival of his cycle The Entropy Songs. Other work includes the play Fun and Games (multiple NYC readings/workshops), the musical Ordinary Island (workshops, WKU/Before Broadway and Momentum Rep), and one-act "Odysseus Swims For It" (publication, Smith and Kraus). Member, Dramatists Guild; 2008-10 Fellow, American Lyric Theatre's Composer-Librettist Development Program; August 2012 CAP21 Writers Residency. BA: Amherst College, MFA: NYU-GMTWP. www.JoshuaHCohen.com

Tom Costello is a freelance director and alum of the Atlantic Acting School. Currently, he is a Resident Director at the Flea Theater where he recently directed The Wundelsteipen (and other difficult roles for young people) by Nick Jones. Other productions include co-directing The Flying Latke by Arthur Yorinks (Flea), Pipeline Theatre Company's productions of Sleepless City by Tim Chawaga, Shakespeare the Dead by Alex Mills (Dream Up Festival) and Bubble and Squeak by Evan Twohy which was a finalist in the 2011 Samuel French Off-Off-Broadway Festival. He has also directed numerous productions with the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School. BFA in Drama from NYU/Tisch.

Libra Theater Company believes all artists must maintain a balance between art and everyday responsibility. Since its inception in 2010, Libra has been dedicated to creating quality theater that is flexible and works with the time commitments of its artists. In 2012, Libra produced Poems & Moon Songs, a revue of music by Will Reynolds (The Greenwood Tree), andWilliam Shakespeare's 12th Night directed by Evan Mueller. Featuring an ensemble cast including Drama Desk nominee Jeremy Morse (Bloodsong of Love), this sold-out production earned a 2012 NY Innovative Theatre Award for "Outstanding Original Music" by Jeff Raab. Other past work includes the annual Songs You Should Know concert, The Entropy Songs by Joshua H. Cohen, and Fleet Week and Other Reasons to Sail by Sam Carner and Derek Gregor (Prospect Theater's upcoming Unlock'd).

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