APAC brings The Pillowman to Astoria

"Energizing ...[what makes] the unsettling and exhilarating new play from Mr. McDonagh...so gripping as theater is how narrative art becomes the play's and the character's very life blood." --NY Times.

"[McDonagh is] a dangerously prodigious master of theatrical form with a talent that goes far deeper than most people understand...The Pillowman [is] thoroughly startling and genuinely intimidating." --Chicago Tribune.

"McDonagh's least forgiving, bravest play." --Variety.

"A complex tale about life and art, about fact and illusion, about politics, society, cruelty and creativity." --Financial Times.

ASTORIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Proudly Presents

THE PILLOWMAN
A blindingly bright black comedy--NY Times

Written by
MARTIN MCDONAGH

Starring
JORDAN BLOOM, NATHAN BRISBY, RICHARD D. BUSSER, AVERY CLARK*, SETH DUERR*, JUSTIN HERFEL*, ANTHONY PIERINI, KAREN STANION*
*Performing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.  AEA approved showcase.

Directed by TOM WOJTUNIK

THREE-WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
NOVEMBER 5 - NOVEMBER 21, 2009 AT THE GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

OPENING NIGHT IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 AT 8 P.M.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT APACNY.ORG

Astoria Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce their production of the 2005 Tony Award nominee for Best Play, Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman, directed by Tom Wojtunik. The Pillowman will play a 3-week limited engagement at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102. Entrance on 30th Road.) Performances begin Thursday, November 5 and continue through Saturday, November 21. Opening Night is Saturday, November 7 (8 p.m.).

With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka, and the Brothers Grimm, The Pillowman is a dark comedy about the interrogation of a fiction writer, in an unnamed totalitarian state, whose gruesome short stories have eerie similarities to local horrific child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art.

***
The Pillowman stars Avery Clark* (Off'-Broadway's Coronado) as Katurian, Seth Duerr* (The Acting Company: Moby Dick, Rehearsed; The Public Theatre: Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth) as Tupolski, Richard D. Busser ("Hal" in APAC's Proof) as Ariel, Nathan Brisby ("JP Morgan" in APAC's Ragtime, "Uncle Ernie" in The Gallery Player's The Who's Tommy, Finalist in this year's NYMF Next Broadway Sensation contest) as Michal, Justin Herfel* (The Gallery Players: The Underpants, Man of La Mancha) as Father, Karen Stanion* (Fringe NYC: And Sophie Comes Too, NY IT Award Nominee for The Palooka) as Mother, Anthony Pierini ("Tommy Age 4" in The Who's Tommy, The Gallery Players) as Boy, and Jordan Bloom ("Little Girl" in APAC's Ragtime) as Girl.

The production features set design by Stephen K. Dobay, costume design by Emily Morgan DeAngelis, and lighting design TBD. Kristyn R. Smith is the sound designer, Ryan Homsey is the composer, Ryan Kasprzak is the fight director, Ashlee Springer is the props designer, Rebecca Lewis-Whitson is the assistant director, Katie Courtien is the dramaturg and Paul Brewster is the stage manager.

***

The Pillowman plays the following regular schedule through Saturday, November 21:

Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  Available online at www.apacny.org or by calling 866-811-4111. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Theatre Box Office, 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Directions to the theatre: Take the N or W Subway to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave. to Crescent St. (Mount Sinai Hospital is on the corner.) Walk one block South to 30th Road.

Running Time: 155 minutes

Website: www.apacny.org