UCLA Cancels Kosky's 'Tell Tale Heart'; Actor Unable to Obtain Working Visa

The Department of Homeland Security has rejected the visa application for Austrian actor MARTIN NIEDERMAIR, the star of Barrie Koskys one man show, TELL TALE HEART.  UCLA Live has therefore been forced to cancel TELL TALE HEART, which was due to open the International Theatre Festival at UCLA next Wednesday (October 1). It is their understanding that the rejection was caused by Equitys automatic rejection of visiting visas to any actor performing in English, regardless of the circumstance or situation. This rejection has happened for every English-speaking production they have ever brought into the United States but has never before led to a visa being rejected by the DHS.

This physically challenging role was written specifically for Martin Niedermair.  Stated David Sefton, UCLA Lives Executive and Artistic Director. It is our intention to challenge what we believe to be an unfair decision and reschedule the show later in the season.

TELL TALE HEART tickets can be exchanged for another UCLA Live show or a complete refund by calling UCLAs Central Ticket Office at 310-825-2101.

UCLA Lives Seventh International Theatre Festival, sponsored by Yahoo!, will be held October 14 through December 21, 2008, and will showcase an unparalleled range of eclectic and classic work, with several exclusives, debuts and premieres. Tickets may be purchased online at www.uclalive.org, by phone at 310-825-2101, in person at the UCLA Central Ticket Office at the southwest corner of the James West Alumni Center, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

UCLA Live is an internationally acclaimed producer and presenter of music, dance, theater and spoken word, bringing hundreds of outstanding and provocative artists to Los Angeles each year. From the ancient to the modern, the local to the global, and the underground to the world-renowned, UCLA Live is committed to supporting the development of new and existing work by both major and emerging artists.

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