Photo Flash: First Look at THE ORION EXPERIENCE, Opening Tonight Off-Broadway

Why schlep to the Mojave Desert for Richard Branson's expensive and stuffy trip to space?! The Orion Experience, an intergalactic space journey meets theatrical live electro-pop concert, conveniently takes flight from midtown-Manhattan three nights a week. In-flight amenities include original live music from a 9-piece band, wall-to-wall dancing, aerialists, and cocktails, all at a fraction of the cost. Featuring music and lyrics by the band of the same name, The Orion Experience's official Off-Broadway opening takes place tonight, August 8. XL Nightclub will transform into a starship where audiences join the crew as they blast into the stratosphere and dance the night away. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The Orion Experience is conceived and directed by Travis Greisler, who worked with Jason Moore on the development of The Book of Mormon and Tales of the City. "As a child, I was reared on great classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Barbarella - even Michael Jackson's Captain Eo," explains Greisler. "So when I first listened to the music of The Orion Experience, I knew that we were a match made in the cosmos. I had been looking for a project that combined all of my favorite elements of nightlife: live rock music, dancing, circus performers, drag queens, and projected environments. Like a night at a Brooklyn warehouse party or a ride at an elaborate theme park, The Orion Experience will launch you into the stars to dance the night away at our very own space disco."

The Orion Experience, which first played to packed houses last year at Dixon Place, boasts an ensemble including Orion Simprini as Captain Orion, Linda Horwatt as Lindatron, Reef Rox as Dr. Reef, and Sir Honey Davenport as The Queen of White Lies. The production features set design by Jason Ardizzone-West, costume design by Andrea Hood, lighting design by KJ Hardy, projection design by David Bengali, and choreography by Misha Shields. The Orion Experience is presented by Ryan Bogner (Here Lies Love at Williamstown, Yeast Nation) and Katharine Beckett Sullivan (Black Milk) in association with RKO Stage (Top Hat, Big Fish).

The band The Orion Experience is an explosion of high-energy disco pop. Superbly crafted pop songwriting and irresistible hooks are their calling card. Brothers of the Scissor Sisters, sons of the B-52's and second cousins once removed of The Bee Gees, they count among their fans Perez Hilton, Steve Lillywhite, Rachael Ray and Lady Gaga. Their music has been heard on such shows as Laguna Beach, The Hills, iCarly, Victorious and Late Night with David Letterman. Word of mouth, mostly through social networking sites and YouTube, has brought the band a new audience. Fan-made videos of the band's songs have garnered half a million views. The band's new album Children of the Stars, which includes several songs featured in The Orion Experience, is available digitally now on iTunes with a physical release to follow this August in conjunction with the show.

The Orion Experience blasts off at XL Nightclub (512 West 42nd Street) Thursdays at 8PM, Saturdays at 9PM & Sundays at 8PM now through September 1. Tickets are $45 - with a limited number of premium experience packages available for $75 - and may be purchased online at TheOrionExperience.com, by calling 212-352-3101, or at the venue. Passengers are welcome to remain in XL following the flight and celebrate their adventure to the stars all night long. For more information, visit: TheOrionExperience.com, Facebook.com/TheOrionExperience, or Twitter.com/OrionExperience #OrionExperience.

Photo Credit: Alexander Kusak