Will Patton Stars in 'Des Moines' Free Readings at The Flea

Evenstar Films (Jesus' Son) will present free staged readings of Des Moines, a new play by acclaimed author Denis Johnson, winner of the 2007 National Book Award for Tree of Smoke.  Directed by Will Patton, it will be presented for five performances beginning February 26 at The Flea Theater.

"In a seedy apartment on the edge of Des Moines, an unlikely assortment of people come together for an impromptu party that takes them, by the evening's end, on a dam bursting ride down a stream-of-consciousness deluge. Downing depth chargers and singing karaoke, they struggle with the strange and unholy trinity of life, death, and sex," explain press notes.

The cast for Des Moines will include LaTonya Borsay, Emily McDonnell, Deirdre O'Connell, and Will Patton.

Denis Johnson is the author of several novels and three books of verse.  Since 2001, he has served as Playwright-in-Residence for San Francisco's Campo Santo Theater Company, who have premiered six of his plays including Des Moines. His plays have received San Francisco's Will Glickman Award and a Bay Area Drama Critics' Circle Award, and have seen additional productions in Chicago, Seattle, and New York.

Will Patton has worked extensively in the theatre and in film. Most recently, he starred opposite Angelina Jolie in Michael Winterbottom's A Mighty Heart. He is currently filming roles in American Inquisition with Alfre Woodard, Waking Madison with Elizabeth Shue and The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond by Tennessee Williams. Winner of an Audie Award for Best Male Narrator, Will has recorded over forty-five audio books. Will played the leading role in Sam Shepard's A Lie Of The Mind and his performances in Richard Foreman's What Did He See and Mr. Shepard's Fool For Love earned him two Obie Awards.  He starred in the world premiere of Don DeLillo's play, Valparaiso at the ART in Boston and he was also seen in Denis Johnson's Shoppers Carried By Escalators Into The Flames at The Vineyard Theatre.

Des Moines runs February 26 - March 1, Tuesday - Saturday at 9pm.  The Flea Theater, is located at 41 White Street (between Broadway & Church Streets -- accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,Q,W,6,J,M,Z to Canal or 1 to Franklin Street). Tickets are free, but you must make a reservation in advance by calling 212-219-2020.  

Will Patton