Storm Theatre Kicks Off 20th Season With World Premiere Of DECONSTRUCTION

The Storm Theatre, in association with Christopher Ekstrom Productions, kicks off its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of "Deconstruction," by Jonathan Leaf. The historically-inspired play directed by Storm Artistic Director Peter Dobbins, runs Mar. 3 - Mar. 25, Grand Hall (at St. Mary's Parish), 440 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002, for 16 performances. Tickets are on sale now for $25 and can be purchased at SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.

Set in 1949, the play imagines the rumored love affair between famous novelist Mary McCarthy and young aspiring academic Paul de Man. Later in his life, de Man gained worldwide notoriety as the foremost American promoter of deconstruction, a concept inspired by German philosopher Martin Heidegger. The story exposes de Man's hidden past in war-torn Belgium, where he was suspected as an embezzler and Nazi collaborator.

"At a time when the concept of what "truth" is draws more and more interest, this play looks back to the roots of the controversy," said Leaf. "Does objective reality actually exist? If so, what are the consequences of a philosophy that denies that reality?"

Leaf was featured in "Time Out New York" as one of the nation's most important up-and-coming playwrights. He is also a member of The Actors Studio Playwright Directors Unit, where "Deconstruction" was first developed.

"Deconstruction" features Fleur Alys Dobbins and Jed Peterson as McCarthy and de Man. Karoline Fischer plays Hannah Arendt, the famed author of "The Origins of Totalitarianism." The production team includes Shannon Kavanagh (scenic design), Jeannipher Pacheco (costume design), Michael Abrams (lighting design), Alex Santullo (sound design), and Katharine McCombs (production stage manager).

Performances begin Mar. 3, and run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with a
special Monday performance Mar.6, and Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Mar. 4, 11, 18 and 25.

"DECONSTRUCTION"
by Jonathan Leaf
Directed by Peter Dobbins
March 3 - 25, 2017
Grand Hall (at St. Mary's Church)
440 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002

The Storm Theatre is an off-Broadway company committed to producing theater to awaken the awe-inspiring truths of humanity. Past productions include world premieres, established classics and forgotten theatrical treasures restored for today's audiences. Founded in 1997, the non-profit is celebrating its 20th season with its third production in a new Lower East Side performance space. "The New York Times" named The Storm Theatre's 2012 season as one of the "12 most galvanizing offerings of the year." For more information, please visit www.stormtheatre.com.

Jonathan Leaf has been nominated for "Best Original Full-Length Script" by the New York Innovative Theatre Awards for his play "The Caterers." His plays have been produced and performed at 59E59 Theaters, the 29th Street Rep, the Arclight Theater and The Mint. As a journalist and critic, he has written for "The New Yorker," "The Weekly Standard," "National Review," "The New York Post," "New York Press," "New York Daily News," "New York Sun," "The American," "Humanities Magazine," "City Journal," "City Arts," "Forbes.com," "NewPartisan," "TheStream," "EdgeMedia," "ContemporaryThinkers.org," and "Mosaic Magazine," among other publications. A Tikvah Fellow and Yale graduate, he is the author of the play "The Germans in Paris," which was the highest-rated play in audience surveys on TheaterMania.com during its run.