National Jewish Theater to Present THE SOAP MYTH, 3/23-4/22

National Jewish Theater, Producing Artistic Director Arnold Mittelman, will present a limited Off-Broadway run of The Soap Myth, by Jeff Cohen, from March 23 – April 22 at theBlack Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street, between 6th Avenue and Broadway).  Directed by Arnold Mittelman, this production will starGreg Mullavey (television's "Marty Hartman") and features Andi Potamkin, Donald Corren, and Dee Pelletier.  Tickets range in price from $50 to $60 and can be purchased online at www.nationaljewishtheater.com or by calling (212) 352-3101.  Official press opening is slated for Monday, March 26 at 7pm. 

The horrific possibility that the Nazis turned Jews into soap is the catalyst for The Soap Myth, a play by Jeff Cohen.  Cohen's lead characters, a survivor and a young investigative journalist, go on a collision course to ascertain how much fact is needed for something not to be fiction.  The Soap Myth, directed by Arnold Mittelman, includes set design by Heather Wolensky, costume design by David Winitsky and lighting design by Jason Scott. 

Author Jeff Cohen's most recent play, last season's The Man Who Ate Michael Rockefeller, received virtually unanimous critical acclaim, including Critic's Picks in The New York Times and Time Out New York.  His play Men of Clay was selected Best New Play of 2005 by the Baltimore City Paper.  His adaptation of Uncle Vanya set in West Virginia– Uncle Jack – was published in the anthology "Playing With Canons," edited by Martin Denton.  Cohen's adaptation of The Seagull set in the Hamptonshas starred, variously, Laura Linney (NY stage debut), D.B. Sweeney, Tammy Grimes, Christopher Collet, Marin Hinkle, Neal Huff, and Lizbeth MacKay.  It was selected to the annual "Ten Best List" of The Boston Globe.  His adaptation of Woyzeck – Whoa-Jack! –marked the NY stage debut of Golden Globe nominee Michael Ealy.  Highlights of his work as Producer, Artistic Director, and Director include: The Normal Heart (Public Theater with Raul Esparza and Joanna Gleason – Drama Desk nomination); the NY premiere of Four by Christopher Shinn (two Drama Desk nominations, Lucille Lortel Award); the world premiere of The Moonlight Room by Tristine Skyler (two Lortel noms, Outer Critics nomination); the NY premiere of The Mystery of Attraction by Marlane Meyer (Obie Award); and the Tribeca Playhouse Stage Door Canteen – a ten week series in the aftermath of 9/11 to entertain the rescue and recovery workers at Ground Zero (Drama Desk Award).