M.I.T. Productions presents Michelle Krusiec's Made In Taiwan at the 14th annual New York International Fringe Festival - FringeNYC. Written and performed by Krusiec (Saving Face, ABC FAMILY's "The Secret Life of The American Teenager") and directed by Andy Belser (Artistic Director of the Juniata Theatre in PA, and The Gravity Project), Made In Taiwan will play five performances, August 14th - 24th, at The New School for Drama Theater (151 Bank Street). For tickets and information visit www.FringeNYC.org.
Made in Taiwan is a family comedy that pits a young daughter against her mother. A woman who resorts to any action (including pimping her daughter out for fresh fish) in the name of education. The mother, pragmatic, foul-mouthed and world-weary, is determined to uncover the identity of her husband's mistress. The daughter, a young innocent, makes the mistake of announcing that Dad's mistress doesn't exist. Tragedy ensues in this David and Goliath story set in suburbia.
Made in Taiwan has developed under the artful eye of
Larry Moss (off-Broadway's Syringa Tree). Director Andy Belser and Krusiec have workshopped the comedy in Los Angeles and at various festivals, including the first Annual Asian American Theater Festival. Both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter hailed this solo show as festival favorites when it premiered at the HBO Aspen/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.
"Playing at the NY Fringe is like ultimate speed dating," says Krusiec "You get five chances to perform something that's been incubating for a long time and you hope they leave wanting more. I've had a nice career in TV and film, but nothing beats the rush of performing in front of a live audience ...especially an audience of New York theatergoers. It's exhilarating!"
Renowned acting coach and director
Larry Moss calls Made in Taiwan "a sincere exploration of growing up in a particular family at a particular time in history. You feel the authenticity of the author and the pain and humor of being an outsider, both in society and in your own home. A wonderful actress and a wonderful story. "
MICHELLE KRUSIEC (Performer/Playwright) first found national and international critical acclaim in her starring role opposite Joan Chen in the romantic comedy Saving Face, directed by Alice Wu. Her award winning performance as an awkward, closeted lesbian garnered her a Best Actress nomination in the 2005 Golden Horse Ceremony, Asia's equivalent to the Academy Award. Currently, Krusiec is featured as Emily on the ABC Family comedy series "The Secret Life of The American Teenager." Other notable feature and TV credits include Far North opposite Michelle Yeoh, What Happens in Vegas opposite
Cameron Diaz, her own TV series "One World" (NBC) as well as other ensemble shows such as "Mind of the Married Man" (HBO) and "Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC). A long time student of acclaimed acting teacher
Larry Moss, Michelle has trained at Virginia Tech University and Oxford. After Krusiec accosted
Oliver Stone on stage while lecturing at Virginia Tech, the director cast her in her first feature film, Nixon. Her critically acclaimed solo show, Made in Taiwan, premiered at the Aspen Comedy festival in 2002 and was later workshopped at the 2007 first annual Asian American Theater Festival in NY. Michelle's next project is starring opposite Juliet Binoche in Relative Insanity, a contemporary film adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull,"directed by
Larry Moss. For more information please go to
www.michellekrusiec.com or
www.madeintaiwanshow.com.
LISTINGS INFORMATION: M Made In Taiwan plays five performances only at the 14th annual New York International Fringe Festival. Performances are Saturday, August 14th at 2PM; Wednesday, August 18th at 5PM; Friday, August 20th at 9:30PM; Monday, August 23rd at 9:30PM; and Tuesday, August 24th at 9:30PM at The New School for Drama Theater, 151 Bank Street. (A, C, E to 14th Street/L to 8th Avenue. Walk south on 8th Avenue to Hudson Street. Walk south on Hudson Street to Bank Street, then walk west to the theater.) Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the box office, and available at www.FringeNYC.org or (866) 468-7619
Photo Credit: Mimi Haddon
