The Berserker Residents Land at Ars Nova With The Lapsburgh Layover 8/31

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly presents the world premiere of a new work by 2011 Ars Nova Artists-in-Residence, The Berserker Residents. The Lapsburgh Layover will play a limited Off-Broadway engagement August 31 - September 24, with Official Opening Night on Monday, September 12 at 7:00 PM.

The Berserker Residents, comprised of long-term collaborators Justin Jain, Dave Johnson, and Bradley K. Wrenn, bring their singular theatrical style to Ars Nova with the debut of The Lapsburgh Layover. The model citizens of tiny, isolated Lapsburgh have prepared an exemplary theatrical entertainment to help their American guests to pass the time while their international flight refuels. More than just an ordinary layover, the performers seek to beguile and delight the new arrivals with Lapsburgh's many charms, but darker forces lurk just beyond the borders. This wildly theatrical, interactive theater piece has been in development at Ars Nova since 2009.

The Berserker Residents draw on bold physical performance styles, alternative comedy and music in crafting and delivering compelling stories for the theater. With a commitment to thrilling live performance, this Philadelphia-based company devises and produces original, ensemble-driven work. Often site-specific and drawing upon audience interaction, the Residents' unique blend of humor and horror has been showcased in productions including Philadelphia Fringe hits The Jersey Devil (which appeared in Ars Nova's ANT Fest 2009), The Giant Squid and The Annihilation Point (which also appeared at New York's Abrons Art Center in January 2011); and The Very Merry Xmas Carol Holiday Adventure Show (Theater Horizon, December 2009).

Director Oliver Butler is co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society, where he has developed and directed seven new plays with writer/performers Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, including Buddy Cop 2, Cape Disappointment and The Eaten Heart. He is currently developing two new plays with the company and is a 2011 Sundance Institute Fellow.

The Lapsburgh Layover features Justin Jain, Dave Johnson, Leah Walton and Bradley K. Wrenn. Set Design is by Lisi Stoessel (The Annihilation Point). Costume Design is by Sydney Maresca (Buddy Cop 2). Lighting Design is by Brian Tovar (Spidermusical). Sound Design is by M.L. Dogg (The Pee Wee Herman Show).

Ars Nova awarded The Berserker Residents a commission to create this project in addition to naming the company 2011 Artists-in-Residence. The project has been developed through Ars Nova's Summer Artist Retreat and Next Step programs.

About Ars Nova:
Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theater, comedy and music artists in the Early Stages of their professional careers. Its unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voIce To a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work. For more information on Ars Nova's programs, visit www.arsnovanyc.com. Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener.

Producing credits include: The 54/10 Music Marathon, Be A Good Little Widow, The Wii Plays, ANT Fest, Now Circa Then, Bloodsong of Love, Missed Connections NYC, Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed, Mel & El: Show & Tell, Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers, Playlist, Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, boom, From Up Here, Dixie?s Tupperware Party, At Least It?s Pink, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, Holy Cross Sucks!, Freestyle Love Supreme and The Wau Wau Sisters.

The Lapsburgh Layover plays August 31 - September 24 as follows: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM, with Opening Night performance Monday, Sept. 12 at 7:00 PM.

Tickets on sale now. Tickets are $30 with special Preview Ticket Pricing: $10 August 31 - September 3 and $20 September 6 - 10. Tickets may be purchased through www.arsnovanyc.com, 212-352-3101 or at the Ars Nova box office starting 30 minutes prior to each show (subject to availability). Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th Street.

Ars Nova Memberships beginning at $30 offer half-prIce Tickets and other perks. For more info, please visit www.arsnovanyc.com/membership.

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