Horse Trade Presents A New Production Of 'ECSTASY' 1/5

ECSTASY covers the lives of four blue-collar friends living in 1979 London and the drunken frustration in their lives, namely that of Jean, who struggles to escape the confines of her life and the people in it. While ECSTASY speaks to a very specific time and place, the socio-economic despairs and frustrations facing each character make the story universal and timeless; especially on the eve of our own financial crisis.

ECSTASY features Lore Davis, Stephen Heskett, Gina Lemoine, Josh Marcantel, Brandon McCluskey, and Mary Monahan.

The design team for ECSTASY includes Lore Davis (Costume Design), Paul Howle (Lighting Design), Brandon McCluskey (Fight Choreographer), Damon Pelletier (Set Design), and Christopher Rummel (Sound Design).

The production, produced by Horse Trade Theater Group and Black Door Theatre Company, will play at the Red Room (85 E. 4th Street, 3rd Floor) January 9-25, Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm, following preview performances January 5-8 at 8pm. Tickets ($18, $15 preview performances) are available by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444 or online at www.horseTRADE.info

Mike Leigh (Playwright) is an English film and theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright. Some of his well-known films include Life is Sweet (1990), the Gilbert and Sullivan biography Topsy Turvy (1999), and the bleak working-class drama All or Nothing (2002). His most notable works are arguably Naked (1993), Secrets & Lies (1996), Vera Drake (2004) Happy-Go-Lucky, and Abigail's Party.

Sara Laudonia (Director) is a veteran of the windy city where she landed after getting her BFA in acting from Otterbein College. During her time in Chicago, she was a founding member of The Treehouse Theatre Company where she had the unique opportunity to hone not only her acting skills, but also to cut her teeth as a director. Some favorite directing projects include: Gilbert Mandrake's Flying Saucer's on the Plains, by Corey Hinkle, Fulfilling Koch's Postulate, by Joan Schenkar, Hell to Get Along With, adapted by Ms. Laudonia from a Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. short story, and Camille: The Forgotten Artist, by Victoria Libertore. In New York she has been Assistant Director to Terry Schreiber on Night of the Iguana and the Director of Sunrise at the Quarry written by Nick Sanzo.

"Sara Laudonia's sensitive direction gives the many scenes individual pace and rhythm"

-Ron Cohen, Backstage about Sunrise at the Quarry

Black Door Theatre Company was created as a vessel for the artistic exploration of the human experience; including classic themes as well as current issues. Whether creating original material, collaborating with emerging artists, or re-thinking existing works, we intend to question, give voice, seek truth, and push the boundaries of form and expression.

Horse Trade Theater Group is a self-sustaining theater development group; with a focus on new work, it has produced a massive quantity of stimulating downtown theater. Horse Trade's Resident Artist Program offers a home to a select group of Independent Theater artists, pooling together a great deal of talent and energy. It is also the home of FRIGID New York - the first and only festival of its kind in New York City.

www.BlackDoorTheatre.com