SPIRITS OF EXIT ELEVEN Begins Previews Tonight

Previews begin on Thursday, January 10th for the World Premiere of Michael Puzzo's Spirits of Exit Eleven at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street, NYC). Presented by Justin Reinsilber and directed by Frank Licato, this new American play is directed by Frank Licato and opens on January 17th at 8pm. The production runs through February 2nd. Tickets are $19.25 (which includes a $1.25 restoration charge) and can be purchased online at www.telecharge.com, by phone at 212-239-6200 / 800-432-7250 or in person at Theatre Row Box Office.

Spirits of Exit Eleven tells the darkly comic tale of a ragtag crew of outcasts struggling to keep their dignity and their livelihood afloat at a rundown New Jersey Strip club/pizza parlor on Halloween. www.spiritsofexiteleven.com

The cast introduces newcomer Nicole Balsam and includes Michael Carlsen (The Wood, Rattlestick; "30 Rock;" "Pan Am;" Wreck it Ralph), Shane Patrick Kearns ("Law & Order SVU"), Stephen Payne (The Empty Ocean, Stella Adler, Sailor's Song by John Patrick Shanley, The Public Theater), and Deborah Rayne ("A Gifted Man," "All My Children"). Scenic design is by David Meyer, with lighting design by Adam Greene, costume design by Alexis Forte, sound design by Donald Stark, choreography by Marlo Hunter, and fight choreography by David Anzuelo.

Michael Puzzo is a playwright and actor. He has been a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company since 1997. His plays include The Dirty Talk (Fringe NYC & CSNY), Lyric Is Waiting (Irish Repertory Theater), The Horse Shoe King of Jersey City (Aspen Comedy Festival), The 11a.m Girl Says "Goodnight" (Access Theater) and most recently The Slasher's Lament (The New Ohio). As an actor, Michael's credits include John Patrick Shanley's Pirate! (New York Stage & Film) & Dirty Story (Harold Clurman Theater), Stephen Adly Guirgis' In Arabia We'd All Be Kings (CSNY), Penalties and Interest (Public Theater), Killing Women (Samuel Beckett Theater), The Body Politic (59E59), Philip Roth in Khartoum (Public Theater), and the film Doubt.

Frank Licato (Director) has been in the business for over 30 years as an actor, director, producer and teacher. As a director he has received an Applause Award from the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and his production of The Late Christopher Bean at the Summit Playhouse received eight 2011 Perry Award nominations. His production of Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things was selected as a regional finalist in the Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival. He has worked with such theatre luminaries as Joseph Chaiken and Peter Brook and was named best actor in Boston for his performance as Lt. Vukov in the American premiere of Barry Collin's Judgment. He was nominated for an Obie award for his performance in Deathwatch by Jean Genet, which The New York Times called a "performance on another plane." Regionally he has worked at The American Repertory Theatre, the Delaware Theatre Company and the Boston Shakespeare Company.

A member of LAByrinth Theater Company since 2000, producer Justin Reinsilber produced TENN99, a three day non-stop reading and celebration of Tennessee Williams' work at LAByrinth Theater Co. He has also produced original works by John Patrick Shanley, including Where's My Money and Winter Party, and he was executive producer of Sopohmore. As an actor, he played one of the leads in Ira Sachs' Keep The Lights On (Sundance and winner of a TEDDY at the Berlin film festival), as well as Off-Broadway and several film and television credits. He wrote fucking love (winner, best solo show at the HBO comedy festival in Aspen), his first feature will be shot in spring, 2013.

More Articles by This Author...