The 13th Street Repertory Theater Presents World Premiere of PERVERSION

The 13th Street Repertory Theater presents Perversion, a world premiere allegory of modern America written and directed by Judson Blake. The cast of eight includes Harry Bainbridge, Daniel Cuff, Tony Del Bono, Dana Jesberger, Irina Kaplan, Robert Lewis, Andrew Nordin and Jenn Susi. Thirty performances will be staged at the 13th Street Repertory Theater, 50 West 13th Street in NYC 10011 from March 30-April 30, 2017.

Into a quiet urban home come two strangers on a sinister mission they don't disclose. They frighten some, entertain others, and refuse to leave. As the home invasion worsens, their hosts reveal some twists of their own. In a dark and surreal evening of fantasy, farce and betrayal, you should be forewarned: It's about something real. A scathing political satire of the America we lived through and where we still live today.

From playwright Judson Blake
"I chose to write an allegory because I believe naturalistic theater is inadequate to approach the impersonal crimes of our age. Traditionally the crime of murder takes dramatic moment from some relationship between the killer and the victim. But what if there is no relationship? What if the victims are faceless and the killer protected by lies thoughtlessly believed? And what if this lack of vision makes murder all the more tolerable to our society? It is my belief that only drama of a different kind can hold a picture up to the world of crimes the world has accepted and even praised."

Perversion is presented by the 13th Street Repertory Theater. Assistant Director: Allison Hohman; Set Designer: Alexandra DelBello; Costume Designer: Mychael Fuller; Artistic Director: Joe Battista; House Staff: Cristelle Belinga; Public Relations: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR.

Tickets are: $24. For more information and tickets, visit SmartTix.com or call 212-868-4444.

Performances will be staged on Thursday & Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm & 6pm from March 30-April 30, 2017.

Judson Blake (playwright/director) has performed in theater in New York and New Mexico. After a sporadic career in Wall Street and scientific research, he has extracted Perversion - the play from a small part of an unusual novel he hopes soon to publish.

Allison Hohman (assistant director) is not a native New Yorker, but tries to pretend she is at most times. In her five years here she has had the privilege to be involved in many different pursuits, some of which include being a theatre critic for Stagebuddy.com, a casting internship with Roundabout Theatre Company, and leading children's acting classes with her best friend. She has found a niche within stage management and technical theatre. A recent graduate at The New School, she spends her free time working, working, and occasionally not working.

The 13th Street Repertory Theater has long been a warm and welcoming center of independent theater in the West Village. It was started forty years ago by Edith O'Hara, mother of Jenny O'Hara, the much lauded television and screen actress. Today the Artistic Director of the theater, Joe Battista, continues that rich tradition with an imaginative stream of ground-breaking new shows.

Meet the Cast

Harry Bainbridge grew up between Washington DC, and Connecticut. Raised on The Birdcage, hand drumming, and Cajun food, he eventually wound up in New York City in 2009 to accommodate his eclectic interests. Shortly after graduating from NYU film school in 2011, Harry studied acting under physical drama and clown professor Christopher Bayes of Yale and Juilliard for several years. He continued to study under other major professors such as Olympia Dukakis and Fay Simpson. Harry has worked on a variety of productions, including "Saturday Night Live" several times and the Democratic National Convention. To view some of Harry's work, please visit his website HBno2.com.

Daniel Cuff was born and bred on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. He studied Theater and Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Recent NYC credits include The Brink of Us at the Great Room in Brooklyn and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at the Adam Roebuck Theater in Manhattan. He performed in The Whaleship Essex at the Vineyard Playhouse.

Tony Del Bono appeared in Israel Horovitz' classic Line at 13th Street Rep in 2016. His last theatrical performance was in Anonymous, Anonymous, at FringeNYC 2016. He has been otherwise busy appearing in a number of independent films including "The Walker," "Used Car," and "The Devil's Well," as well as several web-series including "In Our Backyard," "No Soliciting," and "Wonder." A Queens native and NYU graduate, Tony has trained most recently with Heidi Marshall, Rob Sedgwick and Catherine Russell. www.tonydelbono.com

Dana Jesberger - Recent NY Stage Credits include: Seasons on the N Train (The Players Theatre), The Interview (The Secret Theatre), Night Out in Spain (Theatre at 14th Street Y), Viola in Twelfth Night and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Arena Players), and Joan Plowright in Austin Pendleton's production of Orson's Shadow (Theatre Row Studio Theatre). Film credits include leading roles in "Unwound," "Perfect,"and "Host."Graduated with an award for Academic Excellence from LIU:Post's BFA program. Irene Ryan Nominee. www.backstage.com/danajesberger

Irina Kaplan - credits include Snow White in the U.K. tour of BBC play Bad Elvis, and playing both Margaret and Dogberry in an all female cast of Much Ado About Nothing at the Brick Theater. Before moving to NYC to pursue her acting career, Irina taught Kindergarten with the help of a small but loyal puppet named LambChop. Irina holds a BA in American Culture from Vassar College and an MFA from The Actors Studio Drama School.

Robert Lewis - Confidence and charisma, two words that describes Robert Lewis. Born in Piscataway, New Jersey, Robert was involved in sports at a young age. Excelling at football and basketball, but in college would discover a new passion. After appearing Thornton Wilder's short stories he fell in love with the arts and continued his studies in both classical and contemporary work.

Andrew Nordin recently wrote and co-starred in the mini web series SO TOTALLY US and has been seen in various stand-up, improv and sketch shows around the city. He has a BA in Theatre Arts from Point Park University and has also trained with the Upright Citizens Brigade and The Barrow Group. Find him on Instagram @andrewnordin or at www.andrewnordin.com.

Jenn Susi - Some favorite roles have been Satin from Biblical Bitches (The Kraine Theatre, NYC), The Queen from Alice Unraveled (Theatre Row, NYC) and Hemera from Mythos: Love Cursed (Elektra Theatre, NYC), a show she was proud to premiere in Toronto as well in the character of Siobhan. Most recently, Jenn has performed Lisa at the Hudson Guild Theatre, an important piece about Domestic abuse. B.F.A in Theatre from Adelphi University; MSED in Theatre Education from Lehman College.

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