John Ventimiglia Takes Over In 'Stitching' For Extension

Due to overwhelming popular demand, the U.S. premiere of Stitching by Anthony Neilson, directed by Timothy Haskell and starring Meital Dohan (Showtime's "Weeds"), has extended its run through Saturday, August 2 at The Wild Project (195 East Third Street).  The show, which opened to strong reviews on June 25, began previews on June 17 and was originally slated to run through July 19.  Due to scheduling conflicts, the role of "Stu," previously played by Gian-Murray Gianino, will be played by John Ventimiglia (HBO's "The Sopranos") for this extension.

Stu and Abby love each other so madly, they're driving each other crazy.  Stitching follows the increasingly disturbing and inventive games the couple plays in order to connect.  As they circle and test each other, they role-play with reality and fantasy to the point where even they don't seem sure what is real anymore.  When Abby discovers she's pregnant, the choices they make will haunt them forever.  The visceral poetry and physicality between the lovers creates a surprisingly tender, often humorous, brutal romance.  Stitching challenges the notions of modern romance in an increasingly complex world.

Upon its June 25 opening, The New York Times raved, "The extremely gorgeous Meital Dohan gives an energetic, bruise inducing performance under Timothy Haskell's direction."  The New York Post exclaims, ""The play lingers in the mind, thanks to the emotional acuity of the writing and the deeply committed performances."  "The role of 'Abby' is difficult to forget.  Watching Dohan stumble through her nightmares brands itself into the memory long after leaving the theater," wrote The New York Press.  And Variety simply stated, "Dohan does very impressive work as a frustrated woman – maybe two women."

Anthony Neilson is part of the "In-Yer-Face Theatre" movement that is rocking Britain, where Stitching was a controversial hit.  His plays include The Menu (National Theatre), Welfare My Lovely, Normal, Penetrator, The Years of the Family, Heredity, The Censor (winner of the Writers Guild Award for Best Fringe Play 1997), Amazing Feats of Loneliness, The Lying Kind (Royal Court), The Wonderful World of Dissocia.  Neilson directed the UK premiere of the John Adams opera The Death of Klinghoffer for Edinburgh International Festival/Scottish Opera (Herald Angel Award).  TV credits include "Deeper Still," "A Terrible Coldness," "Bible John."  His new play Relocated, opened in March to rave reviews at London's Royal Court Theatre.

Director Timothy Haskell's credits include the Road House (Barrow Street Theatre), I Love Paris (Blue Heron Arts Center), Fatal Attraction (Classic Stage Company) and The Jaded Assassin (Ohio Theatre).  He is the originator and Creative Director of the haunted house franchise "Nightmare," approaching its 5th year in NYC and opening in Miami Beach, Florida in October 2008.

Meital Dohan, recently seen as "Yael Hoffman," the sexy rabbinical scholar, in the hit Showtime series "Weeds," was born and raised in Israel, and graduated from Nissan Nativ, the country's prestigious acting school.  She has starred in many theater, television and film productions.  She earned Israeli Oscar nominations for her performances in Gods Sandbox (2002 Manchester Film Festival winner) and Giraffes (2003 Scottsdale Arizona Film Festival winner).  Dohan played a central comedy role in Ugliest Esti — the Israeli Ugly Betty, which won the Israeli Emmy for Best Comedy Series.  Her theater credits include Best Friends with Israel's Cameri Theater, for which she won the Israeli Tony for Most Promising New Actress in 2000.  Other credits include Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), and in 2002 she gave an award-winning performance in Bad Children.  The role was especially written for her by the celebrated Israeli playwright Edna Mazya.  Dohan co-wrote and starred in the hilarious downtown hit Bath Party at Here Theatre.

John Ventimiglia starred as "Artie Bucco" on the HBO television series "The Sopranos."  He has had parts in feature films such as Cop Land, Mickey Blue Eyes and the vampire comedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead as "Theo Horace," and has appeared in numerous television shows including "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue."

Stitching plays the following schedule through August 2**: Mondays & Tuesdays at 7:00pm; Wednesdays – Saturdays at 8:00pm at The Wild Project (195 East Third Street, between Avenues A & B).  **NOTE: There will be no performance on Monday, July 21 or Tuesday, July 22.  Tickets are $45 and can be arranged through www.StitchingThePlay.com or by calling 212.352.3101.  A limited number of Student Rush tickets will be available for purchase at the box office (cash only) 1-hour prior to each performance. For more information, please visit www.StitchingThePlay.com.

Photo Credit Walter McBride/ Retna Ltd.

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