Joy Franz to Star in Off-Bway Political Drama 'Fair Game'

Genesius Theatre Group (GTG) presents the New York premiere of Fair Game - a new play by Karl Gajdusek, which "gives a behind-the-scenes look at a woman's presidential campaign…and the scandals that threaten to topple it." Previews begin August 17th prior to an official press opening of August 20th at Theatre Row's Lion Theatre (410 West 42nd Street) in Manhattan.

Fair Game is Karl Gajdusek's drama "about politics, scandal and spin. In this ripped-from-the-headlines play Governor Karen Werthman is running for the highest office in the land, when her son - a professor at Princeton - returns home, embroiled in a scandal. In the hands of her spin-master campaign manager the scandal is squelched…but at what cost to the candidate.  Fair Game sheds light on the best and worst of a world where every act of right or wrong can be turned into its opposite," state press materials.

The cast includes Joy Franz (Into the Woods, Pippin), as presidential candidate Governor Karen Werthman, Caralyn Kozlowski, Brian Sgambati, Sarah-Doe Osborne, and Ray McDavitt.

Directed by Andrew Volkoff, the design team includes Brian Prather (Set Design); Jim Milkey (Lighting Design); Matt O'Hare (Sound Design), and Matthew Hemesath (Costume Design).

Playwright Karl Gajdusek's work includes: Fubar, Silverlake, Minneapolis, Dr. S.F.S. in the Terminal Ward, Big Sun Setting Fast, The Gilded Farden of Patcheww, Malibu and Waco, Texas, Mon Amour. Gajdusek's many awards include: the Jacob K. Javits fellowship, two Jerome Fellowships, the McKnight Screenwriting Fellowship, and the MAG fellowship. Gajdusek has taught Playwriting at San Francisco's School of the Arts, U.C.S.D., ISOMATA, and The Playwrights' Center. He holds a B.A. in Literature from Yale University, is member of Annex Theatre in Seattle, and holds an M.F.A. in Playwriting from the University of California at San Diego.

Director Andrew Volkoff is Associate Artistic Director of Genesius Theatre Group (GTG), former Associate Artistic Director of Barrington Stage Company (BSC), a Drama League Directing Fellow Alumni and a member of First Look Theatre Company at NYU.

"Genesius Theatre Guild (GTG) - under the direction of Co-Producing Artistic Directors Dana Harrel and Marc Parees - is dedicated to rescuing new plays from the endless cycle of readings and workshops.  They amplify a diversity of new artistic voices by producing work by playwrights who have not previously been produced in New York."

Scheduled August 17 through September 7, Fair Game performs Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm (Tuesday and Wednesday will be Dark) at Theatre Row's Lion Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Tickets are $18 and can be reserved by calling (Ticket Central) at 212-279-4200 or on-line at www.theatrerow.org or www.ticketcentral.com.

For additional information, please visit www.gtgnyc.org.