Original Play CAKE Kicks Off Second Annual Araca Project, 8/1-8/5

Shawn Nabors's debut play CAKE begins performances August 1 and continues through August 5 at The American Theatre of Actors (314 W. 54th Street NYC) as a part of the second annual Araca Project.

CAKE is a 90-minute dramedy about Messiah & Ari, two young African-American men who meet online for a casual encounter, but wind up invested in and connected to each other in ways neither of them expected. This play takes a heartbreakingly honest look at the unique way grief manifests itself in each of us and, more importantly, how we handle it when it does. www.cakeplay2012.com

Nabors began developing Cake in 2010 as a student at Syracuse University. This off-Broadway production is directed by Rod Gailes OBC (Film: Twin Cousins, Soft Focus; Theater: Unspeakable (NY Fringe, upcoming Chicago production starring Isaiah Washington)) and will star Nabors as Ari, fellow producer and Syracuse alum Jasmine Thomas as True, and George Ross II as Messiah. Rounding out the design team are scenic consultant Felix Cochren (Broadway's Home, Inacent Black and Amen Corner), lighting designer Evan Gannon, and sound designer Row Walters."After several months of hard work, long nights and tedious rewriting, I am proud to present my first play Cake." Nabors says, "Creating this play and seeing it realized has been an incredibly revelatory experience for me. I am beyond delighted to share this story with you all. Enter with an open mind and heart, and be ready for a ride because this is certainly going to be one."

Cake is the first of six productions selected out of 90 applicants for the second annual Araca Project, an initiative of The Araca Group (Wicked, Rock of Ages, Urinetown). The Araca Group is a Broadway producing and merchandising company led by Matthew Rego, Michael Rego and Hank Unger. The Araca Project launched in 2011 as a collaboration between The Araca Group and Syracuse University. In its second incarnation, the project has welcomed the University of Michigan as a partner in The Araca Group's commitment to early career development. www.aracaproject.com

For press images, ticket inquiries or more information, contact Kaitlin Fine at kfine@araca.com / 212.869.0070 or visit www.cakeplay2012.com.