BILL W. AND DR. BOB Begins 7/8 at the Soho Playhouse

Theater critics worldwide have praised Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey's play about the founding of AA, as an expertly told, universally compelling story about the triumph of the human spirit. The show continues to break box office records and brings a whole new community into the theater-the broad diversity of people in recovery, and their families and friends. After being mounted more than 100 times in 35 states as well as Australia, Canada and England, the play comes to New York City's 199-seat Soho Playhouse (200 Vandam Street), beginning July 8, in a new production directed by Seth Gordon (Associate Artistic Director, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Producer/Director Primary Stages, NYC; director of the acclaimed production of Bill W. and Dr. Bob at the Cleveland Play House in 2010). Critics are welcome as of the 3pm matinee on Saturday, July 13 for an official opening on Tuesday, July 16.

This production is funded by tax-exempt donations to the non-profit Hazelden Foundation. There are no investors. Net proceeds go to Hazelden to support a college tour of Bill W. and Dr. Bob to address the epidemic of binge drinking on campuses, and to patient aid and educational resources for youth and young adults.

In 1929, Bill Wilson, a famous New York stockbroker, crashes with the stock market, becoming a miserable drunk. Meanwhile, Dr. BoB Smith, a surgeon in Akron, has been an alcoholic for thirty years, often going into the operating room with a hangover. Both are isolated, alone, and on the brink of death. Through an astonishing series of events, the two men are brought together and, realizing that "the only thing that can keep a drunk sober is telling his story to another drunk," forge a relationship. They help each other stay sober, and then pass on what they've learned to others. Nearly eight decades later, having never promoted itself, AA spans over 170 countries, with an estimated total of over 114,000 groups and more than two million members worldwide.

Bill W. and Dr. Bob goes beyond the lives of Bill and Bob and their wives, and looks at how communities can come together to heal themselves and find direction and purpose that can help millions. The play has been lauded-for its authenticity, its humanity and its humor-by critics and remarkably diverse audiences, regardless of whether they, or one of their loved ones, is an alcoholic or addict. When the show was last produced in NYC, in 2007, The New York Times called it "an insightful new play, and The New Yorker described it as "an endearing portrait of friendship uplifted by warm humor." Variety has called the play "deeply human and audience-embracing." The Boston Globe deemed it "inspiring" and "a textured, truthful telling of AA's story," and wrote that the play provides "evocative portraits of two complex men, without portraying either as an untarnished hero." The San Francisco Chronicle described the show as "surprisingly entertaining, engrossing, and touching," and found that "most moving is in the growing bond between Lois and Anne, the wives."

Samuel Shem, the play's co-writer and co-producer, is a Rhodes Scholar, an expert on addictions at Harvard Medical School and a novelist whose books-including The House of God, Mount Misery and The Spirit of the Place-have sold over three million copies and won many awards. (The House of God features an introduction by John Updike.) Co-Writer and co-producer Janet Surrey is a clinical psychologist and author. She too treated alcoholics and addicts for many years at Harvard Medical School. Her books include Women's Growth in Connection, Mothering Against the Odds and We Have to Talk: Healing Dialogues between Women and Men.

The creative team for this production includes costume designer Teresa Snider-Stein (I'm Not Rappaport) and lighting designer Ann Wrightson (Tony nominee August: Osage County) and set designer Wilson Chin (The Jammer). Roy Gabay Productions (Chaplin, Rock of Ages) is General Manager.

Nick Motu, Hazelden Publisher and Vice President, said, "At the end of this inspirational and entertaining performance, one leaves the theatre thirsting for more. Our hope is that everyone whose life has been touched by addiction-which means almost anyone at all-has an opportunity to experience this play Off-Broadway."

Disclaimer: This work does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Performance Schedule and Ticketing

In the first week (July 8 - 14), performances will take place Monday - Saturday at 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. From July 17 forward, the show will run Tuesday - Thursday at 7pm; Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; Wednesday at 2:30 pm; and Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.

Tickets, $85 - $99, can be purchased at www.sohoplayhouse.com or 866.811.4111.