Jeremie Bracka's ARAFAT IN THERAPY Comes to United Solo, Now thru 11/4

Described as a 'comic genius: Australian actor/comic, writer and human rights attorney, Jeremie Bracka, who won rave reviews from theatre critics and standing ovations from audiences when he first appeared in New York City at the 2007 NY International Fringe Festival in his one-man tour de force, Enough About Me•••••Let's Talk about Jew! returns to the New York stage with his newest international hit, Arafat in Therapy, for three performances only at New York's 2013 United Solo Theatre Festival on Theatre Row tonight, October 29 at 9 PM, Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6 PM and Sunday Nov. 4 at 6 PM. (Note: The performances on Sunday, Oct. 29 and Nov. 3 are virtually sold out; tickets for Sunday, Nov. 4 at 6 PM are available.)

Written and performed by Bracka, Arafat in Therapy is a hilarious one-man political comedy that satirizes the Middle East peace process through farce, mockumentary and autobiographical monologue. It is a journey through Jeremie's personal experiences as a human rights lawyer in Israel and at the U.N., in which he plays more than 20 different characters, male and female. The show, created in 2010, comes to New York following critical-acclaimed sold-out performances in Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

Directed by Pip Mushin (Strictly Ballroom) and with music by Tomi Kalinski (former Musical Director to Dame Edna), the show parodies the Middle-East peace process through farce, mockumentary and 'autobiographical' monologue.

A satirical tour-de-force, Arafat in Therapy is also a journey through Jerernie's real-life experiences as a human rights lawyer in Israel and at the UN! Showcasing more than 20 different characters, it is a-fast paced one-man 'piss-take' on the Middle-East. From U.N. resolutions to CNN, Arafat sends up politicians, peacemakers and human rights campaigners across the political spectrum.

2013 United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, presents 121 productions, all of which are staged at Theatre Row: 410 West 42nd St, NYC. Tickets are $18, and are available at the Theatre Row Box Office, online at www.telecharge.com or by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets for a SOLD OUT performance, check with the Theatre ROW Box Office on the day ofthe show. Should there be any last-minute returns, tickets will become available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"'Arafat in Therapy' is a touching and hysterical auto-biographical monologue which he threaded together from the absurdist narrative of Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat as an American couple in therapy," says Jeremie. "The show uniquely showcases different Arab, Jewish, Palestinian and Israeli voices. The performer who has most inspired this show, I would say, is Billy Crystal whom I greatly admire. Like him, I am interested in using comedy as a vehicle for pathos and taking audiences on a journey from laughter to tears. My portrayal of all 20 characters is based on what I have seen and heard from them, and read about them, through the years. Interestingly, I performed this show quite successfully in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, using the title, Peres in Therapy. It was the same show."

Born in Melbourne, Bracka trained at The National Theatre School of Performing Arts (Melbourne). Over the last decade, he has portrayed a dazzling array of original characters in his hit one- man comedies: Lox, Shmocks and Two Smoking Salmons (2005) and Enough About Me ...Let's Talk About Jew! Jeremie has since delighted thousands oftheatre-goers in major arts festivals in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Auckland and New York.

Since graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and the Victorian College of the Arts (Film and Television) director Pip Mushin has accumulated a wealth of experience as a director and actor in the Australian theatre, film and television industries. Pip began his directing career in theatre, where his credits include Prick The Musical, Avenue Q (Victorian Music Theatre Guild awards nomination - Best Production, Best Director), Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Crossing Delancey, Big AI, Yentl, La Serva Pedrona, Arafat in Therapy, From Phantom to Figaro, More Sex Please We're Seniors, Falsettos (Victorian Music Theatre Guild awards nomination - Best Production, Best Director) and Biloxi Blues ('Most Outstanding and Memorable Production of the Year' nomination, Victoria Drama League). In 2005 Pip wrote and directed the feature film, Josh Jarman, which was released nationally through Hoyts Cinemas and selected for six international film festivals. As an actor Pip has appeared in numerous Australian TV shows and is well known for his roles in the hit film Strictly Ballroom and the award winning TV series Frontline. Pip also featured in Peter Jackson's international blockbuster, King Kong. On stage Pip has performed with many leading theatre companies, including the Melbourne Theatre Company and Playbox Theatre.

Interspersed throughout the show, musical accompanist Tomi Kalinski plays music and cabaret. A founding member of the cabaret group "The Hot Bagels" in the early 1980's, Tomi became the touring Musical Director of Barry Humphries (Dame Edna) throughout Australia and New Zealand, from 1984 - 1989. In 1992, Tomi was nominated for a Green Room Award, for her roles as Aphrodite and accompanist to Evelyn Krape, in Ginger. Tomi has participated in many productions of the Melbourne Yiddish Theatre and has accompanied International Artists, including Theodore Bike!' For the past five years, she has conducted, co-ordinated and accompanied the "Mir Kumen On" Melbourne Yiddish Choir. A music and Yiddish educator of many years standing, in 20] I Tomi (together with Evelyn Krape and Elisa Gray) formed "Zaftik," a Yiddish theatre troupe which created an original theatre piece, "Ek Velt," about the history of Yiddish theatre in Australia. "Zaftik" was invited to stage the world premiere of"Ek Velt" at the 2011 Montreal International Yiddish Theatre Festival. This was followed by the sold-out Australian premiere season in Melbourne, in March 2012.

JEREMIE BRACKA is ARAFAT IN THERAPY
Directed by Pip Mushin, Music by Tomi Kalinski
2013 United Solo Theatre Festival Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street October 29 (Sold Out), November 3 (Sold Out) and November 4 at 6 PM Tickets $18 www.telecharge.com Tel: 212-239-6200

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!