The RATS Theatre Company Presents EURASIAN INVASION! RATS IN REPERTORY, Now thru 7/1

Russian Arts and Theatre Studio (The RATS Company) announces the world premiere production of EURASIAN INVASION! RATS IN REPERTORY, a two show series, which includes Fred Pezzulli and Di Zhu's HOUSE OF CURIOSITIES and Aleksey Burago and Di Zhu's BILLY BOB BOILS THE SEA, both directed by Aleksey Burago. EURASIAN INVASION! will play a four-week limited engagement at The Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street, NYC). Performances begin tonight, June 8 and continue through to Sunday, July 1. Opening Night is Monday, June 11 (House of Curiosities) and Tuesday, June 12 (Billy Bob) (7 p.m.).

Tickets are available at www.smarttix.com. Press are invited to the second performance and beyond.

House of Curiosities is an evening of dark and exhilarating tales brought to life by The RATS Company based on the short stories of one of the world's most beloved authors, Roald Dahl. Director Aleksey Burago's spellbinding stagecraft and use of magical realism breathes new life into a mesmerizing array of characters. Enter a twisted world where reality shifts beneath your feet and the unexpected awaits at every corner. These moral tales for grown ups will chill your blood and tempt your soul. Come for some sadistic fun and prepare to be surprised.

Billy Bob Boils the Sea is a beautiful adaptation of an ancient Chinese fairy tale. Two angels, banished from the heavens for falling in love, are reborn on Earth as a sea creature and a drummer boy. When the two have a chance meeting by the seashore, they are mysteriously drawn to each other. The boy is determined to win her love and defy the gods by attempting the impossible. Physical theater bursting with dream-like characters, visual magic and dazzling acrobatics, this tale of love and courage will enchant all, a surrealistic journey discovering the boundless possibilities of the imagination.

The production of House of Curiosities stars Danusia Trevino* (winner Best Solo Show, United Solo Festival 2011) as Mary and Jawiga, Don A. Carlos, Michel Chahade, Snezhana Chernova, Gordon Kupperstein, Yael Dray-Barel, RoBert Freedman, Cordis Heard, Michael Donaldson, Mindy Luce, Stass Klassen, Kellen Lopes, Andy McCutcheon, Flavio Romeo, Barry Schneider, Aya Shapovalov, Natalie Solomonov, Charles Sprinkle*, Di Zhu, and Marius Zilberstein

The production of Billy Bob stars Natalya Rudakova (Film: Transporters 3) as Billy Bob, Ariel Polanco, Charles Sprinkle*, Irina Yemialyanava, and Di Zhu.

*Performing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. AEA approved showcase

The production features scenic design by Olia Rogova (HC) and Nikolay Sviridchik (Billy Bob), costume design by Catherine Siracusa, lighting design by Joyce Liao and projection design by Joseph Spirito. Name of Designer is the sound engineer and Name is the stage manager.

House of Curiosities plays the following schedule:

Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 at 2 p.m.
Monday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Opening
Thursday, June 14 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 16 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 17 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 20 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 22 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 24 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 28 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 30 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 1 at 8 p.m.

Billy Bob plays the following schedule:

Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. Opening
Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 16 at 8 p.m
Sunday, June 17 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 21 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 23 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 24 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 27 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 29 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 30 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 1 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and are now available online at www.smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ hour prior to performance.

Running Time: 120 minutes

Visit www.theratscompany.org for more information.

In collaboration with Russian director Aleksey Burago he has adapted the following Russian works for the American stage: On The Eve" by Ivan Turgenev, "In Paris" by I. Bunin, and "An Absolutely Happy Village" by Boris Vakhtin.

He studied playwrighting with Paul Selig, Katherine Long, and Tina Howe. He is a member of Dramatists Guild, a founding member of the 42nd Street WorkShop, and a member the Playwright/Directors of The Actors Studio.

ALEKSEY BURAGO (Director) helms the RATS Company as its Artistic Director overseeing the company's artistic vision, theatrical form, seasonal programming and message. He directs the ensemble with passion & intimacy, works closely with the creative team, and centralizes the
company's inventive & inspired work environment.

Having graduated from Moscow Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS), he studied under the internationally renowned director Peter Fomenko. Aleksey returned to his native city in St. Petersburgh to stage numerous shows in different state theaters, including the Theater of Youth, Puskin Theater and the Baltic House Theater. His production of "Beyond Recognition" premiered at the Hermitage Theater and received international attention. His directorial work has received awards both in New York and abroad, the most current being the 2010 Best One Person Show at the United Solo Festival. In Russia, he had been awarded Best Director in the Moscow Annual Festival of Classical Plays and also the St. Petersburgh Comedy Festival.

Aleksey has taught acting in the Theater Academy and Conservatory in St. Petersburgh, Danish Theater School (GITIS) in Scandinavia, Manhattanville College, and most recently at the International Theater Festival in Mexico. He is currently on the faculty at HB Studio, where he also serves on the HB Ensemble Board.

The RATS Company is committed to theater production and education utilizing the main principles of the Moscow Art Theater & Michael Chekhov Technique. Our approach to theater is deeply rooted in all elements of art: movement, dance, music, sculpture and painting. At the heart of our mission lies the desire to serve our community by providing affordable theater that can both entertain and provoke audiences while providing an uplifting truth. Our multi-ethnic ensemble is united with the cause of raising consciousness and reconciling cultural tensions through classical and contemporary works. The RATS Company aims to both preserve and advance these principles so that theater and the arts together become more relevant to audiences of today:

• Theater as Cathedral
• Theater as Oasis
• Theater as Home

THE RATS THEATER COMPANY previously known as The Russian Arts Theater
& Studio, the company was founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Aleksey
Burago and acclaimed actress Snezhana Chernova. The couple both
graduated from distinguished theater academies-namely, the Moscow
Academy of Theater Arts (GITIS) and the St. Petersburgh Academy of
Theater Arts. They brought forward their extensive study and
experience in hopes of creating a New York theater company that would
pass on the rich theater traditions and practices of Stanislavski and
Michael Chekhov as well as introducing lesser-known Russian repertoire
to American audiences.

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