Photo Flash Exclusive: Ben Rimalower Bows Out of PATTI ISSUES, Robin De Jesus Steps in!

"PATTI ISSUES" - the hit solo play written by BEN RIMALOWER - will continue its hit New York run with Sunday night performances from September 8 to October 27, starring Broadway's ROBIN DE JESÚS, star of the film Camp and two-time Tony Award nominee for In the Heights and La Cage Aux Folles (also soon to be starring opposite Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Goldblum in Lincoln Center Theater's Domesticated, opening November 4.) Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive first look at Rimalower's final performance - plus a preview of De Jesus in the show!

The piece, hailed as "ecstatically vivid" by The New York Times and praised for its "wit, feeling and conviction" by Time Out New York, celebrates its year anniversary at The Duplex in the West Village and will run through Thursday, August 15 with Rimalower performing. After more rave reviews and a host of awards, Ben will perform "PATTI ISSUES" in Boston, Glasgow, and Berlin in August and September, plus an upcoming South Florida "mini-tour," following recent performances in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Berkeley, Provincetown, the Fire Island Pines and Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Watertown, CT. See below for full listings information. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PattiIssues.com.

Since "PATTI ISSUES" opened last August, it has become a must-see show on the downtown theater scene, garnering great word-of-mouth from attendees such as Tony Kushner, Alan Cumming, Michael Kors, Justin Vivian Bond, Tonya Pinkins, Perez Hilton and Ms. LuPone herself ("The show's fantastic," she said. "It's really wonderful. I was moved.") Included as "Best New York Theater of 2012," The Advocate called the show "smart, poignant and dishy as hell," while it was dubbed "spellbinding" by The Village Voice and "pithy and unforgettable" by The Huffington Post. "PATTI ISSUES" received a special Bistro Award for solo play in March and won the MAC Award for "Male Debut." "PATTI ISSUES" is directed by Aaron Mark (Another Medea with Tom Hewitt, Random Unrelated Projects).

When Ben Rimalower was eight years old, his father came out of the closet and embarked on a drug-fueled tear that left his family in tatters. Amid the chaos of his young life, Ben found comfort-like so many gay boys before him and after-in musical theater, and specifically in the transportive voice of Broadway star Patti LuPone. "PATTI ISSUES" marks Rimalower's debut as a playwright and performer, after serving as the director of numerous Off-Broadway plays, concerts and all-star benefits (and blogging for the Huffington Post). With a mix of comic irreverence, stark candor and show-biz bravado, "PATTI ISSUES" poignantly explores the challenges facing LGBT parents and children while shining unique light on gay men's time-old obsessions with divas.

ROBIN DE JESÚS is BEN RIMALOWER in "PATTI ISSUES" will be performed at THE DUPLEX (61 Christopher Street at 7th Ave, New York, NY 10014) on Sundays, September 8 through October 27 (Please note: there is no show on Sunday, October 6). All performances are at 9:30 PM. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. There is a two drink minimum per person. You must be 21+ years of age to attend.

Photos by: Larry Hamilton