MIKE BIRBIGLIA: THE NEW ONE Begins Today at The Cherry Lane Theatre

Mike Birbiglia: The New One, (www.TheNewOne.com) a new comedy written and performed by Mike Birbiglia, is currently playing at the Cherry Lane Theatre, (38 Commerce Street) for a limited engagement, with the official opening scheduled for August 2. Mike Birbiglia: The New One is produced by Lucille Lortel Award-winning producers Joseph Birbiglia and Mike Lavoie.

In 2008, Nathan Lane introduced New York City theatergoers to Mike Birbiglia by presenting Birbiglia's solo theater debut, Sleepwalk with Me, which went on to be adapted into a New York Timesbestselling book and Sundance award-winning feature film of the same name. Mr. Lane said of Birbiglia, "When he walks on stage, the energy in the room changes, and you realize you're in the presence of a fresh and original voice. And that is very rare. You know you're getting the real turtle soup, not merely the mock. Like any great comedian, it's hard to categorize Mike - he is his own unique creation. You should definitely just go see him and get lost in his world."

Since then Birbiglia has written & performed Thank God For Jokes and My Girlfriend's Boyfriend for which he received a Lucille Lortel Award.

Now he's arrived with The New One.

When asked what it's about, Birbiglia is reluctant to say much. "I hate it when people tell me what anything is about or really any details at all. Last year I loved Lady Bird, Get Out and The Big Sick and my greatest gift to my friends was to tell them to see those movies and don't read anything about them. So that's what I'm telling the people interested in this show. If you liked my other shows and movies, I think you'll love The New One.

Directed by Seth Barrish (Thank God For Jokes, Sleepwalk With Me, The Tricky Part), Mike Birbiglia: The New One has set design by Beowulf Boritt (Sleepwalk With Me, On The Town, Act One for which he won the Tony® Award).

Prior to the New York run of the show, The New One played a 40-city tour. Of the show, The Toronto Star raved, "The New One moved the audience to tears of laughter and compassion," The Chicago Tribune wrote, "The New One stands out for it artfully deft emotional heft," The Indianapolis Star wrote, "Mike Birbiglia reaches a new comedic peak," and Vanyaland said, "Birbiglia further cemented why he is one of comedy's hardest hitters today."

"The Cherry Lane is a dream theater," said Mike Birbiglia. "It's where I saw Colin Quinn The New York Story, Oh, Hello, and Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King. It's intimate and historic and comfortable and all the things that make a theater experience lovely. Plus, if Eugene O'Neill and Samuel Beckett were willing to work there, I feel like I should be open to it. It really is a magically warm space. It's like if you performed in your own living room if you happened to own a 40 million dollar loft in the west village."

Tickets for Mike Birbiglia: The New One are $29-$59 (previews) and $39-$69 (after August 2). Mike Birbiglia: The New One plays at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) Tuesday -Saturday at 7:30 pm, with a matinee on Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.TheNewOne.com or calling OvationTix at (866) 811-4111.

To post a comment, you must register and login.