Photo Flash: UP Theater Presents World Premiere of MERCIFUL FATHER

Atar Hadari's penetrating new play, Merciful Father will open UP Theater's seventh season. The World Premiere of Merciful Father will run November 1st through November 12th in Northern Manhattan. The play is based on Sholem Asch's scandalous Yiddish play God of Vengeance which was the inspiration for Paula Vogel's new play, Indecent which premiered at the Vineyard Theatre last season.

God of Vengeance premiered on Broadway at the Apollo Theatre in 1923 and featured Broadway's first lesbian kiss. The play was so far ahead of its time, the actors and producers were indicted for giving an immoral performance. Atar Hadari's, Merciful Father is a proactive new take on the story. The production is directed by UP's Artistic Director, James Bosley who has premiered three of his play with UP, including the critically acclaimed productions of Broad Channel, and Epic Poetry.

A brothel owner commissions the creation of a Torah scroll to win a respectable husband for his daughter. His daughter instead chooses ill repute.

Each evening will include a rotating line up of opening acts that will feature artist's who previously showcased their work at UP's Showing UP Artist's Salon. The diverse mix of vaudeville esque performances will include music, poetry, rants, stand-up, clowns, jugglers, and puppeteers.

In addition to Merciful Father, the 2016-17 season will include the World Premiere of Lost/Not Found by Kirby Fields in the spring of 2017. Kirby Fields is currently one of seven playwrights that were selected to be a part of LAByrinth Theatre Company's Up Next Reading Series. Company playwright Ricardo Perez Gonzalez was also selected to take part in the prestigious reading series. UP's season will also include their annual benefit Onward & UPward in early 2017, Showing UP Artist's Salons throughout the year, and Dead of Winter Reading Series which takes place over four Sundays in January 2017.

The cast of Merciful Father features Mary Albert (AMDA), Matt Antar (Juliana/The Duplex), Elizabeth A. Bell (R & J & Z/New Ohio Theatre), Lauren Capkanis (Harper Reagan/T. Schreiber Theatre), Bill Christ (The Miracle Worker/Broadway), Jonathan Ellers (Pyramus & Thisbe Puppet Cabaret/The Metropolitan Room), Richard Grunn (Project Cliff/Independent Film), Sarah Kiefer (Epic Poetry/UP Theater), Heather Michelle (Play or Be Played/Graforsha Productions), and Nikole Williams (A Raisin in the Sun/Compass Rose Theater).

The creative team includes set design by Samuel Vawter, costume design by Brenna McShane, lighting design by Duane Pagano, sound design by David Margolin Lawson, graphic design by Dean Heagle, and stage management by Elizabeth Ramsay. The production team includes Executive Director Lonnie Cooper, Managing Director Laura F. Bosley, and Producing Director Rik Walter.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for students/seniors, and can be purchased at www.mercifulfatherup.bpt.me - Performances take place at The Garret at Fort Washington Collegiate, 729 W 181st St, New York, NY 10033. Subway: across the street from the A train at 181st. Running time: 80 minutes - includes pre-show.

Show Dates:

Tuesday, November 1st @ 8:00 pm

Wednesday, November 2nd @ 8:00 pm

Thursday, November 3rd @ 8:00 pm

Friday, November 4th @ 8:00 pm

Saturday, November 5th @ 8:00 pm

Tuesday, November 8th @ 8:00 pm

Wednesday, November 9th @ 8:00 pm

Thursday, November 10th @ 8:00 pm - (Post show talk back with Atar Hadari & James Bosley)

Friday, November 11th @ 8:00 pm

Saturday, November 12th @ 8:00 pm

More information is available at www.uptheater.org

Photo credit: Jacki Goldhammer