Ars Nova Extends SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS, Adds Saturday Matinees

Ars Nova announces a two-week extension and added Saturday matinee performances for critically-acclaimed world premiere production of Small Mouth Sounds, a new play by Bess Wohl, directed by OBIE Award-winner Rachel Chavkin. Due to demand, Small Mouth Sounds will now play through Saturday, April 25, with newly added Saturday matinee performances on April 4, 11, 18, and 25. The production, which was originally set to play through April 11, began previews March 10 and celebrated its Official Opening Night on Monday, March 23 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street), must end April 25.

In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat. As these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Filled with awkward humor, this strange and compassionate new play asks how we address life's biggest questions when words fail us.

The New York Times observes, "As funny as it is moving, Bess Wohl's play is a model of ingenuity." The New York Post proclaims, "Silence speaks louder than words in evocative Small Mouth Sounds. A wonderful, perceptive new play," and the New York Daily News declares it "wry and observant...turning off the volume turns up your attention." Time Out New York raves, "Bess Wohl's luminous new play is as entertaining as it is transcendent," and Variety calls it "flawless" and "shattering."

Small Mouth Sounds features Jessica Almasy (A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes), Marcia DeBonis (Television: "Homeland"), OBIE Award-winner Jojo Gonzalez (The Romance of Magno Rubio), Brad Heberlee (This Beautiful City), Sakina Jaffrey (Television: "House of Cards"), Erik Lochtefeld (Metamorphoses) and Babak Tafti (The North Pool).

This production includes scenic design by Laura Jellinek, costume design by Tilly Grimes, lighting design by Mike Inwood, sound design by Stowe Nelson, projection design by Andrew Schneider and prop design by Noah Mease.

Bess Wohl was a member of Ars Nova's 2012-2013 Play Group, where the play was first developed, in addition to Ars Nova's Summer Artist Retreat program. Small Mouth Sounds marks Rachel Chavkin's first return to Ars Nova since her OBIE Award-winning direction of the electro-pop phenomenon Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.

Small Mouth Sounds plays through April 25 as follows: Monday through Wednesday at 7pm and Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, with added Saturday matinee performances at 2pm on April 4, 11, 18, 25.

Tickets are $45 for all evening, and $35 for all afternoon, performances. Mighty Nova Membership packages to Ars Nova's 2015 season are now available and start at $50. Members receive free tickets to Ars Nova's Off-Broadway productions, discounts to all comedy, music and developmental programming, priority booking, and other perks. To become a member, and book your Small Mouth Sounds tickets today, visit arsnovanyc.com or call 212-352-3101.

Ars Nova's 2015 season launches with Small Mouth Sounds. Up next in the season: a one-night-only blow-out concert celebrating alt-cabaret powerhouse and Ars Nova All Star, Bridget Everett Gets F*cked by Ars Nova (April 9); ANT Fest, the annual festival of All New Talent (June 1-27); and coming up in Fall 2015, Soho Rep. and Ars Nova present the New York premiere of FUTURITY, a new musical with music by César Alvarez with The Lisps, book and lyrics by César Alvarez, directed by Sarah Benson.