MTWorks to Present SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT, 10/10-25

MANHATTAN THEATRE WORKS (MTWorks), in association with the Theater Series at the 14th Street Y, have announced the world premiere of Sweet, Sweet Spirit by Carol Carpenter (Outstanding Playwriting for Good Lonely People - Planet Connections Awards), directed by Joan Kane (2011 People of the Year in Indie Theatre - Martin Denton, nytheatre.com). Sweet, Sweet Spirit will play a three week limited engagement at The Theater at the 14th Street Y (344 East 14th Street at 1st Avenue). Performances begin Friday, October 10th and continue through Saturday, October 25th. Opening Night is Tuesday, October 14th at 8:00pm. Tickets are $18 ($15 Students/$12 Seniors). For more information visit http://www.mtworks.org/sweetsweetspirit.

A West Texas matriarch is enraged by the news that her gay grandson has been the victim of a hate crime committed by his own father. As the boy battles for his life, the family must come together and decide who among them is best to care for this child and what place can they find for him in their world.

"Carol Carpenter is one of the most promising Southern female voices of our generation and we are honored to be presenting such a brave story on our stage. This will also be the fifth show we bring to The Theater at The 14th Street Y, a true theatrical hub for the creatively brave." - shares Co-Artistic Director Antonio Minino.

Sweet, Sweet Spirit received developmental readings at The Barrow Group, The National Newborn Festival (Audience Favorite Award), Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, and Acadiana Theater in Lafayette, LA. The play was also part of the High Desert Play Festival at the American Southwest Theater in Las Cruces and out of that was produced at New Mexico State University in fall, 2012 as a university production.

The production stars Carol Hickey* (Original cast of Urinetown), Gary Hilborn* (A View from the Bridge, Best Actor in a Play Nominee - Broadway World Awards), Deanna McGovern (An Impending Rupture of the Belly, Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role - NY IT Awards), Dino Petrera, Kathleen O'Neill* (The Conduct of Life, Best Supporting Actress - Hispanic Heritage Festival) and David Stallings (Farewell to Sanity, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play - Planet Connections Awards).

The production features scenic design by Saundra Yaklin (Frankenstein Upstairs and Advance Man - NY IT Award Nominees), costume design by Rachel Dozier-Ezell (MTWorks' The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Family Shakespeare; Resident costume designer Classical Theater of Harlem), lighting design by David Goldstein (NY Times Critic's Pick Cloned! at NYMF) and sound design by Jacob Subotnick (Tulpa or Anne and Me, Outstanding Sound Design - Planet Connections Awards). Rachel Denise April is the production stage manager. Press representation by Katie Rosin / Kampfire PR.

Sweet, Sweet Spirit plays the following schedule through Saturday, October 25th**:

Wednesdays at 8pm
Thursdays at 8pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm
Sundays at 3pm

**Additional opening night performance Tuesday, October 14th at 8pm
Sunday performances are followed by a talk-back with special guest, cast and crew.

Advance tickets are $18 ($15 Students/$12 Seniors) and are available online at http://www.mtworks.org/sweetsweetspirit. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ hour prior to performance.

Website: http://www.mtworks.org/sweetsweetspirit
Photos: http://bit.ly/SweetPhotos

Running Time: 90 minutes

The Theater at the 14th Street Y is located on 344 East 14th Street (at 1st Avenue)
By Subway: L to 1st Avenue
By Bus: M14 or M15 to 14th and 1st

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.
Director is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.