Lahti and and Cristofer Jump Into Primary Stage's 'Water' Casting

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) has announced a change in casting for the New York premiere of A Body of Water by Lee Blessing.  Golden Globe winner Christine Lahti will assume the role of Avis, and Tony Award-winner Michael Cristofer will assume the role of Moss.  The previously announced Margaret Colin had conflicts with her “Gossip Girl” schedule, and David Rasche replaced Craig Bierko in the MTC play, To Be or Not Be, departed the production prior to the beginning of rehearsal.

A Body of Water marks Ms. Lahti’s first appearance on the New York stage since 1990 when she appeared on Broadway in The Heidi Chronicles, and Mr. Cristofer appeared in Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare in the Park) this past summer (he is, of course, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright of The Shadow Box, among other dramas).

Under the direction of Maria Mileaf (Going to St. Ives), the three-member cast also features Laura Odeh (The Rivals).  Performances will now begin Friday evening, October 3, 2008 for a limited engagement that will now continue through Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues).   Opening night remains Tuesday evening, October 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m, as scheduled.

Who are we without our memories?  A Body of Water is a haunting drama that explores the slippery nature of reality and conviction.  Avis and Moss awake one morning in a house set in the forested hills above a picturesque body of water.  The weather’s great, the view’s magnificent.  However, neither of them seems to know whose house this is or who they are.  Will the stranger at their doorstep be able to help?

Lee Blessing is the author of such notable plays as the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominated A Walk in the Woods and the Primary Stages Outer Critic's Circle Award winning production of Going to St. Ives, directed by Maria Mileaf.

The creative team includes Neil Patel (Set), Candice Donnelly (Costumes), Jeff Croiter (Lights), and Bart Fasbender (Sound).  The Production Stage Manager is Larry Ash.

A Body of Water will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday evenings October 8th and 15th at 8:00 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., with Wednesday matinees  on October 8th, 15th & November 12th at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 16th at 2:00 p.m.   There are special "Artist/Audience Talkbacks" for the attendees of performances on October 16th & 23rd.        

Single tickets for A Body of Water are priced at $60 each with a specially priced $20 ticket available to patrons 35 and under.  Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, online at www.ticketcentral.com, or in person at the 59E59 THEATERS Box Office.  Group Tickets (10+) are $45.00 each, and are available by calling (212) 840-9705, ext. 204.  Please visit the website at www.primarystages.org, or call (212) 840-9705 for more information.

 Primary Stages has instituted a Pay What You Can special ticket offer available for the first two previews of all productions in their 24th season.  Pay What You Can will be available for performances on Friday, October 3rd at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4th  at 8:00 p.m.   Tickets go on sale two hours prior to curtain and are limited to one ticket per person, cash only, no change given, must provide mailing address and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, only at the 59E59 Theater Box Office.

Primary Stages continues the 2008-2009 season with the New York premiere of Love Child written and performed by Daniel Jenkins and Robert Stanton (October 12, 2008 – November 19, 2008) that will perform in a rotating repertory with A Body of Water.  The second half of the season begins with Shipwrecked! An Entertainment — The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself) by Donald Margulies (January 27, 2009 - March 7, 2009) and concludes with the world premiere of a new comedy Chasing Manet by Tina Howe (March 24, 2009 - May 2, 2009), featuring Tony Award-Winner Jane Alexander.

Subscription packages start at $128 and are available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com.   For additional information about Primary Stages, please visit the website at www.primarystages.org. 

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