EXIT PURSUED BY A BEAR By Lauren Gunderson Comes to The Theater Project

In this smart, dark revenge comedy by Lauren Gunderson, currently America's most frequently-performed playwright, Nan Carter wants to leave her abusive husband Kyle-leave him tied up, covered with honey, and ready for bear.

But as long as SHE (Brianna Kalisch) has HIM (Scott Cagney) duct-taped to his easy chair, why not do a little consciousness-raising? With the help of her gay friend Simon (Jason Gillis) who acts as her emotional -- and actual - cheerleader, and a stripper named Sweetheart (Rachelle Dorce), Nan makes her husband watch hilariously twisted re-enactments of scenes from their dysfunctional marriage.

Lauren Gunderson's smart, funny plays about empowered women - real and imagined - have made her one of America's most popular playwrights. Many of her biographical plays explore the lives of women who found ways to thrive in male dominated professions, yet her plays never feel like a history lesson; Gunderson's insight, empathy and gift for ironic dialogue make her the Jane Austen of the Modern Stage.

EXIT ... will run Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood, NJ. EXIT PURSUED BY A BEAR concludes The Theater Project's Three Plays in Three Weeks series about different aspects of American life. "The Theater Project frequently brings audiences plays built around compelling social issues," says artistic director Mark Spina, "and after two dramas, we are proud to conclude the series with Lauren Gunderson, who uses humor to tackle the serious subject of domestic abuse."

Tickets are available at the box office or by visiting www.thetheaterproject.org.

Photo: Rachelle Dorce, Scott Cagney and Brianna Kalisch. Provided with permission of René Atchison Photography.