Brandt's A Spalding Gray Matter Runs May 3-27 at The New Group

The New Group (naked), a production division of The New Group, will present A Spalding Gray Matter, written and performed by Michael Brandt. Directed by New Group Associate Artistic Director Ian Morgan, the limited Off-Broadway production will run Wednesday, May 3rd through Saturday, May 27th at The New Group at Theatre Row.

"A Spalding Gray Matter explores the curious story of Spalding Gray's illness, disappearance and assumed suicide through the eerily parallel events of author Michael Brandt's own experience. Melding the theatrical structure of Gray's monologues with his own sense of the ridiculous, Brandt seeks to understand what happened to Gray as a way to define what happened to himself. The result is a story about the consequences of illness and recovery on the human psyche," state press notes.

Writer/performer Brandt penned Footprints In The Snow, Survival Waltz and Merely Players, as well as the short film "Everyday Things," an official selection of the 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival. Brandt has been seen onstage at The Red Room, The Producer's Club, The Vital Theatre and Altered Stages.

The production will feature set design by Peter R. Feuchtwanger, costume design by Kristine Koury, lighting design by Jason Lyons and sound design by Matt Sherwin.

"The New Group (naked) presents two new plays each season on a modest scale, allowing experienced and emerging artists alike the freedom to realize their work free from commercial pressures." Following this production will be the world premiere of Darci Picoult's Jayson With A Y this June.

The New Group kicked off its 2005-2006 season with the critically acclaimed production of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, helmed by Artistic Director Scott Elliott, which extended twice. Its second show of the season, Wallace Shawn and Allen Shawn's play/opera The Music Teacher, opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre in March. The season will conclude with Everything's Turning Into Beautiful by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, with songs by Jimmie James, direction by Carl Forsman and starring Annabella Sciorra and Bobby Cannavale. The production is set for mid-summer.

A Spalding Gray Matter will play at The New Group at Theatre Row (Clurman Theater, 410 W. 42nd Street) Wednesday–Saturday at 8:00 PM and Saturday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $15.00 and can be arranged through Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com. Visit www.TheNewGroup.org for more information.