HEY JUDE to Begin Previews Next Month Off-Broadway

the cell will present the World Premiere of HEY JUDE by Nancy Manocherian, directed by Kira Simring with an original score by Michael Dellaira. Previews begin May 29 with opening slated for Thursday, June 4 at Urban Stages.

In HEY JUDE, Anna's losing it, her husband Henry's already lost it and her son Jude is just plain lost. Identity is a slippery slope in this family drama, when a matter of life and death unhinges its members and challenges their basic beliefs.

HEY JUDE stars Deborah Offner (Act One and Hair on Broadway) and features Adam Weppler, Catherine Dupont, and Bob Jaffe. The production team includes Gertjan Houben (lighting), Peiyi Wong (sets), Rebecca Freund (costumes), M. Florian Staab (sound design), Michael Dellaira (composer), Brian Reager (assistant director), Mackenzie Meeks (production manager), Sulei Ly (general manager), Adrian Pena (stage manager), and Sarah Ford (assistant stage manager).

Nancy Manocherian is a lyricist, playwright and producer. Writing credits include: Sin!; Rio, a Brazilian musical novella (Theatre for the New City); and Dinner and Delusion, an opera co-written with composer Michael Sahl (The Center for Contemporary Opera/New York City Opera's VOX Festival).

Kira Simring is the Artistic Director of the cell. A professional director for over 15 years, Kira has worked closely with writers to develop and realize their work. She has directed productions of new plays and music theatre throughout New York City and across the country. For the past two consecutive years, Kira has been granted The Best Director Award by New York City's 1st Irish Theatre Festival.

HEY JUDE runs May 29 - June 21 on the following schedule: Tues. & Wed. at 7:30, Thurs.-Sat. at 8pm and Sun. at 2pm. Urban Stages is located at 259 West 30th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues -- accessible from the A/C/E trains at 34th Street or the 1/2 at 28th Street. Tickets are $35 for previews and $45 for regular performances. They can be purchased at www.thecelltheatre.org or call Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.