EAGER TO LOSE Opens Tonight at Ars Nova

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly presents the world premiere of the burlesque farce Eager to Lose in a limited Off-Broadway engagement, Wednesday, October 9 through Saturday, November 2 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Official Opening Night takes place Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 PM.

Welcome to the legendary Tim Tam Room, where the music sizzles, champagne flows, and dancing beauties tempt and tease. When Tansy, the club's crown jewel, announces her imminent departure, the club's MC is left holding his heart in his hands. Exuberant hijinks and salacious striptease collide as this night of classic burlesque unspools into a sequin-drenched, raucous farce.

Eager to Lose was developed through Ars Nova's ANT Fest and Project Residency programs.

Eager to Lose is co-created by writer Matthew-Lee Erlbach, co-directors Wes Grantom and Portia Krieger, and burlesque sensation Tansy, who appears in the production with John Behlmann (Journey's End), Richard Saudek, Emily Walton (The Shaggs, August: Osage County), and Stacey Yen (Mary Zimmerman's The Arabian Nights at Arena Stage). Eager to Lose includes Choreography by Tansy, Music Direction by Cody Owen Stine, Scenic Design by Mark Erbaugh, Costume Design by Tilly Grimes, Lighting Design by Brian Tovar, and Sound Design by Josh Millican.

Matthew-Lee Erlbach is an actor and writer from Chicago currently in NYC. Most recently: Handbook For An American Revolutionary directed by Tony Speciale (Gym at Judson, 2013). Upcoming: Sex Of The Baby (Off-B'way 2014; Michelle Bossy, dir); Kevin Lamb (Michael Berresse, dir); and King George, III Parts I And II (in development). His work has been developed, presented, or produced by Ars Nova, MCC, ATC (Chicago), NYTW, Williamstown, The Lark, Space on Ryder Farm, Judson, 92YTribeca, and Tisch/NYU Grad, among others. He has written for MTV, Nickelodeon, WWE, The Huffington Post, and has pilots in development with Locomotive Film (featuring Carrie Preston) and Cineflix and won Best Screenplay for Roger, The Chicken at Houston. Proud graduate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Also, Second City, Chicago.

Wes Grantom's directing credits include Clybourne Park (Premiere Stages); The Steadfast by Mat Smart and Mine by Bekah Brunstetter (Slant Theatre Project); K2 and the world premiere of Chris Newbound's Birthday Boy (Berkshire Theatre Festival); Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka (Waterwell/PPAS). Upcoming: a new play by Greg Keller for Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Also worked at Williamstown, Asolo Rep, American Theatre Company, Atlantic Theater Company, and Roundabout. Drama League Directing Fellowship, member of Lincoln Center Director's Lab, Co-Artistic Director of Slant Theatre Project, graduate of the University of Evansville.

Portia Krieger's recent directing credits include Baby Screams Miracle (Clubbed Thumb), The Netflix Plays (Ars Nova), Kim Rosenstock's Tigers Be Still (TheatreSquared), Too Much Too Soon (Lesser America), Samuel D. Hunter's When You're Here (Williamstown), and Kathryn Walat's This Is Not Antigone (New Georges) along with workshops and readings at the Roundabout Underground, New York Stage & Film, Rattlestick, Page 73, and others. Portia is an alumna of the Drama League Directors Project and the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, Ars Nova's 2013 Director-in-Residence, a Lesser America ensemble member, and a co-founder of the New Georges Jam.

Tansy, a vintage vixen often described as "The Elizabeth Taylor of Burlesque," teases with both humor and a sophisticated sensuality. Radiating a joyous effervescence whilst channeling the sublime glamour of another era in her performances, Tansy is admired for her classic energy and joie de vivre. This past year, Tansy was crowned "Miss Newcomer World 2012" at The World Burlesque Games in London, England. She was also chosen to perform in the "Best Debut" category at The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas. Last September, Tansy had the honor of competing for the "Queen of Burlesque" title in New Orleans.

Photo credit: Marielle Solan

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