Variations Theatre bucks trend, casts AA lead (Mar12)

New York, NY, March 1st, 2012 – Variations Theatre Group is presenting the world premiere of Jay Prasad’s new play Prisoner of Love, a work that has been in development for the past year under the supervision of Rich Ferraioli, Artistic Director. Ferraioli decided to stage this work because “it is a play that has something for everyone, and it will make you leave the theatre rethinking about your beliefs on several topical issues of today.”

Prisoner of Love deals with Julian, who as a young, wealthy teenager is imprisoned for a murder that he believes was an accidental shooting. In jail, Julian is preyed upon by stronger, tougher inmates, but soon learns the art of survival, and transforms himself into a hardened, macho man. The play picks up from his parole and subsequent re-entry into a world that he no longer knows, into a family who never cared for him, and a life he is not sure he can lead. His wealthy mother is terminally ill and, upon her death, Julian learns that he is the sole heir to her fortune. His three adopted stepsisters step up a campaign to get a share of the money, and a harassed Julian begins to think nostalgically about his days in jail where he was happy with his lover, a young prisoner he had taken under his protection. As the days go by Julian becomes increasingly tormented and gets into ugly confrontations - and the play ends with Julian finally finding a way out of his existential predicament.

Prisoner of Love stars Asian-American actor and New York University Graduate, Roger Yeh as Julian. Also featured are Jael Goad as Janice, Tara Lynn Gillfillan as Norma, and Whitney Brown as the sexually provocative Pauline. Rounding out the cast are Andrew J. Langton as Ralph, Jamie Geiger as Kurt, and Leo Goodman as the Parole Officer. The show reunites the successful pairing of Rich Ferraioli as director and R. Allen Babcock as Scenic/Costume Designer, the two having worked together on Variations Theatre Group’s critically acclaimed production of Fool For Love last February. Greg Solomon is the Lighting Designer.

Variations Theatre Group, a nonprofit theater company, launched its inaugural season with successful productions of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things in Manhattan and Long Island City. In a review of the play, The Queens Chronicle said, “Variations Theatre Group is setting the bar high... the fledgling company has staged one of the most captivating productions the borough (Queens) has seen this year." The NY Performing Arts Examiner said “Variations Theatre Group instinctually crafts intelligent theater that investigates the art and the truth of the human condition. The emerging company’s production of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things is skillfully performed and cleverly developed. These artists will be promising to watch, rising on the NY Off-Off Broadway Theatre circuit.”

Performances will take place at the 45th Street Theatre (www.the45thsttheatre.com), located at 354 W 45th Street (8th & 9th Aves) at 8pm on April 5th - 7th. 10th - 14th, and 17th - 21st. There will also be a matinee performance at 2pm on the 8th and the 15th of April.

General Admission tickets are $25.00; Student/Senior tickets are $20.00. Theatre professionals with a resume/headshot pay $20.00. On Tuesdays “Buy One: Get One Free”, and on Wednesdays “Pay What You Can.” TDF vouchers are also accepted. Visit http://www.variationstheatregroup.com/ or call 646.580.6003.

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	VARIATIONS THEATRE GROUP PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF PRISONER OF LOVE New York, NY, March 1st, 2012 – Variations Theatre Group is presenting the world premiere of Jay Prasad’s new play Prisoner of Love, a work that has been in development for the past year under the supervision of Rich Ferraioli, Artistic Director. Ferraioli decided to stage this work because “it is a play that has something for everyone, and it will make you leave the theatre rethinking about your beliefs on several topical issues of today.” Prisoner of Love deals with Julian, who as a young, wealthy teenager is imprisoned for a murder that he believes was an accidental shooting. In jail, Julian is preyed upon by stronger, tougher inmates, but soon learns the art of survival, and transforms himself into a hardened, macho man. The play picks up from his parole and subsequent re-entry into a world that he no longer knows, into a family who never cared for him, and a life he is not sure he can lead. His wealthy mother is terminally ill and, upon her death, Julian learns that he is the sole heir to her fortune. His three adopted stepsisters step up a campaign to get a share of the money, and a harassed Julian begins to think nostalgically about his days in jail where he was happy with his lover, a young prisoner he had taken under his protection. As the days go by Julian becomes increasingly tormented and gets into ugly confrontations - and the play ends with Julian finally finding a way out of his existential predicament. Prisoner of Love stars Asian-American actor and New York University Graduate, Roger Yeh as Julian. Also featured are Jael Goad as Janice, Tara Lynn Gillfillan as Norma, and Whitney Brown as the sexually provocative Pauline. Rounding out the cast are Andrew J. Langton as Ralph, Jamie Geiger as Kurt, and Leo Goodman as the Parole Officer. The show reunites the successful pairing of Rich Ferraioli as director and R. Allen Babcock as Scenic/Costume Designer, the two having worked together on Variations Theatre Group’s critically acclaimed production of Fool For Love last February. Greg Solomon is the Lighting Designer. Variations Theatre Group, a nonprofit theater company, launched its inaugural season with successful productions of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things in Manhattan and Long Island City. In a review of the play, The Queens Chronicle said, “Variations Theatre Group is setting the bar high... the fledgling company has staged one of the most captivating productions the borough (Queens) has seen this year." The NY Performing Arts Examiner said “Variations Theatre Group instinctually crafts intelligent theater that investigates the art and the truth of the human condition. The emerging company’s production of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things is skillfully performed and cleverly developed. These artists will be promising to watch, rising on the NY Off-Off Broadway Theatre circuit.” Performances will take place at the 45th Street Theatre (www.the45thsttheatre.com), located at 354 W 45th Street (8th & 9th Aves) at 8pm on April 5th - 7th. 10th - 14th, and 17th - 21st. There will also be a matinee performance at 2pm on the 8th and the 15th of April. General Admission tickets are $25.00; Student/Senior tickets are $20.00. Theatre professionals with a resume/headshot pay $20.00. On Tuesdays “Buy One: Get One Free”, and on Wednesdays “Pay What You Can.” TDF vouchers are also accepted. Visit http://www.variationstheatregroup.com/ or call 646.580.6003. Home \| News \| Calendar \| Directory \| Plays \| Library/Storefront \| Timeline Copyright 2012, Roger W. Tang Questions? Email

VARIATIONS THEATRE GROUP PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF PRISONER OF LOVE