Photo Flash: First Look at David Lee Nelson in THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET at Kraine Theatre

David Lee Nelson's timely autobiographical play THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET, about his "coming out" as a Democrat to his staunchly Republican father officially opened at the Kraine Theatre (85 East 4th Street) on Sunday, October 21. Directed by Adam Knight ("No No No Yes" at Ars Nova), written and performed by Mr. Nelson, and presented Off-Broadway by Slant Theatre Project in association with Roust Theatre Company, THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET will continue for three more performances: Tonight, Monday, October 22 at 8pm; Sunday, October 28 at 8pm; and Monday, October 29 at 8pm.

Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Finding inspiration from the work of Spalding Gray and Mike Daisey, comedian David Lee Nelson's THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET is a solo work full of bi-partisan fervor that takes the audience on a madcap dash through the history of the Republican party as Nelson works up the courage to come out to his father...as a Democrat.

THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET has lighting and projection design by Gertjan Houben, set design by Ashlee Springer, and dramaturgy by Kristin Vieira.

David Lee Nelson is an actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. His last show, the solo piece "David Lee Nelson...Status Update," created with Adam Knight, premiered at Piccolo Spoleto. It went on to be performed at The Warehouse Theatre (Greenville, SC), WaterTower Theatre (Dallas, TX), 59E59 (NYC), and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It was named Top Touring Show of the 2010-2011 season by the Dallas/Fort Worth critics circle.

Adam Knight (Director) has directed premieres by Lucy Alibar, Bekah Brunstetter, Michele Lowe, Mat Smart, and Thomas Ward, among others, at venues such as Ars Nova, P.S.122, Poetry Project, HERE, The Tank, E.S.T., and Cherry Lane Theatre. Recent credits: "Polaroid Stories" (Strasberg Institute), "Exit Carolyn" (Drilling Company), "No No No Yes" (Ars Nova). Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Warehouse Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse.

Kristin Vieira (Dramaturg) has worked as a dramaturg on numerous workshops and productions of new plays such as "Binge" by Thomas Ward, (Slant Theatre Project), "The Last Seven Words of Christ" created by Scott Alan Evans (Chamber Society of Lincoln Center), and "Missing Celia Rose" by Ian August (NYC Summer Play Festival).

Slant Theatre Project is a group of artists that thrive on the danger of building the plane in flight. They do visceral work. They tailor each process to the artists and performance space, and are committed to creating a playground for emerging theatre artists. Since 2004, they have produced new works by Bekah Brunstetter, Evan Cabnet, Craig Clary, Marcus Gardley, Lisa Kron, Michele Lowe, Adam Rapp, Theresa Rebeck, Mat Smart, and many more.

Roust Theatre Company is dedicated to radical and epoch-making theatre. The company aims to challenge and inspire its audience, to hold them in an unrelenting and imaginative grip and encourage the questioning of the world around us. Roust firmly believes that theatre is much more than entertainment, it has the power to make a difference in the world.

THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET performs Sundays at 8pm and Mondays at 8pm from October 14th through the 29th at the Kraine Theatre (85 East 4th Street, New York, NY). Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 1-800-838-3006 or online at brownpapertickets.com.

For more information about THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET or on David Lee Nelson, visit www.davidleenelson.com.

Photo Credit: Gertjan Houben