Andy Mientus & More Join Scissor Sisters Frontman Jake Shears in BENT at CTG/Mark Taper Forum

Rehearsals have begun for Martin Sherman's "Bent," a groundbreaking drama about the rare power of love in the most inhumane conditions. Directed by Moise?s Kaufman, previews for "Bent" begin July 15 and opening is set for July 26. Performances continue through August 23, 2015, at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum.

Set in Germany in the 1930s, "Bent" follows the struggles of gay men trying to survive in Nazi Germany, in particular two men who, in the midst of the darkest moments of mankind, manage to give and receive love and find strength in each other. The Taper production is the first major U.S. revival of "Bent" since the Broadway premiere in 1979, when it was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.

The cast for "Bent" includes Hugo Armstrong ("Waiting for Godot," Taper; "The Behavior of Broadus"), Ray Baker ("Torch Song Trilogy," Broadway; "What Lies Beneath," film), Tom Berklund (recent Broadway "A Chorus Line"; tour of "The Normal Heart"), Matthew Carlson, Brionne Davis, Wyatt Fenner, Patrick Heusinger ("Next Fall," Broadway; "Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce," on Bravo), Charlie Hofheimer ("The Lyons" and "On the Waterfront," Broadway), Andy Mientus ("Les Mise?rables," Broadway; "Smash," NBC), Jake Shears (lead singer for Scissor Sisters), Brian Slaten and Jonathan B. Wright.

Set and costume design for "Bent" are by Beowulf Boritt, lighting by Justin Townsend, sound by Cricket S. Myers, wigs and hair design by Carol F. Doran, fight direction by Steve Rankin, choreography by Ken Roht and casting by Heidi Levitt, CSA. The production stage manager is David S. Franklin.

Benedict Nightingale of The New Statesman said of the London West End premiere in May 1979 that "Mr. Sherman's aim is ... to strike a blow for the human, and especially the homosexual, spirit in extremis ... a V-sign defiantly flourished at all forms of oppression." Walter Kerr of The New York Times said of the November 1979 Broadway premiere that "Bent" is "...provocative..." with a "...blistering climax. ..."

Martin Sherman was born in Camden, New Jersey. He has lived in London since 1980. His plays include "Passing By," "Cracks," "Rio Grande," "Bent," "Messiah," "When She

-more-

Danced," "A Madhouse in Goa," "Some Sunny Day," "Rose," "A Passage to India" (from E.M. Forster's novel), "Onassis," "The Roman Spring Of Mrs. Stone" (from Tennessee Williams' novel) and "Gently Down The Stream." His adaptations include "Absolutely! Perhaps" (Pirandello), "The Cherry Orchard" (Chekhov) and "The Miser" (Molie?re). He adapted the musical "The Boy From Oz" for American audiences. His films include "The Clothes in the Wardrobe" (the U.S. title is "The Summer House"), "Alive and Kicking," "Bent," "Callas Forever," "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" and "Mrs. Henderson Presents." His plays have been produced in over 60 countries, and he has been nominated for two Tonys, two Oliviers and two BAFTAS.

Moise?s Kaufman is a Tony and Emmy nominated director and playwright. For Center Theatre Group, he directed his plays "Gross Indecency" and "33 Variations," as well as the plays "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo," and most recently, "The Tallest Tree in the Forest." He is Artistic Director of Tectonic Theater Project.

Tickets for "Bent" are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or visiting www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets range from $25 - $85 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.