PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS Returns To NYC, Opens 8/6 At 45 Bleecker Street Theatre

The countdown is on as New Yorkers await the return of the global phenomenon Puppetry of the Penis, a show which Vanity Fair calls "Dementedly good fun!" Puppetry of the Penis begins performance on August 4; opening August 6 running through August 30, 2009 at 45 Bleecker Street Theatre.

Requiring amazing concentration, astonishing stamina, an unbelievable stretch factor and a remarkable level of testicular fortitude, This show leaves women and men gasping at over 40 heroic and hilarious penis installations including the Pelican, The Windsurfer, The Eiffel Tower, Loch Ness Monster, and their signature installation, the Hamburger.

Puppetry of the Penis introduced the world to the ancient Australian art of genital origami. It has been experienced by over 1 million people in over 14 countries including the U.S., Great Britain, Australia, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal. Celebrities like Hugh Grant, Naomi Campbell, Posh Spice, Bono and Elton John have joined the crowds. It has been translated into three languages, had a "how to" book published, been played non-stop on HBO's "Real Sex" since 2002, and had DVD releases throughout the world.

Created by Simon Morley in 1996, his agility and unique talents have garnered him invitations to perform on television shows around the world including the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Morley's penis has also made more than a few TV execs red faced as his "Eiffel Tower" was broadcast across morning television in 2002. Morley took Puppetry of the Penis abroad to conquer the world, coming, once again to New York City this August.

Over 650 men and a few women have auditioned to be a penis puppeteer and only 20 men have been tapped to officially hold the Puppetry of the Penis torch (totaling 143 inches).

Puppetry of the Penis was conceived by Simon Morley in 1996 as the title of a classy, highbrow art calendar, showcasing twelve of his favorite penis installations. Years before, Simon's youngest brother had shown him his first genital trick, ‘The Hamburger'. Natural sibling rivalry with their two other brothers resulted in the evolution of a healthy repertoire of genital gesticulations. It was on New Year's Eve in 1997, with a garage full of calendars to sell and burgeoning requests for live demonstrations that Simon finally decided to unleash his talent on the world.

The natural choice of performing partner was David Friend, whose reputation as the life of any party was quickly growing. As a young boy, Friend began his current career in the bath and developed his skills further when he discovered beer at university in Byron Bay. After completing his degree in computing, he returned to Melbourne with his own highly individual collection of hanging art. Together, Simon and Friend became Puppetry of the Penis. Their debut season at the 1998 Melbourne International Comedy Festival was a huge hit. Simon and Friend then embarked on a national tour, circumnavigating Australia. This took eight months, covered 20,000 kilometres and was captured in all its glory in the documentary Tackle Happy.

A runaway hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2000, Puppetry of the Penis then set about the task of world domination, playing London's West End, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and launching multiple US companies, with one playing the John Houseman Theatre in New York for 2 years, and another two touring extensively, with sit-downs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. As of today, most of the Western World has played host to Puppetry of the Penis. Due to popular demand, Simon and his band of penis puppeteers continue to take their penises to the people with performances in Australia, Canada, USA, the UK and South Africa.

PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS ECONOMIC STIMULUS TOUR
August 3 - August 30, 2009 (Opening August 6)
Performances Schedule:
Tuesday at 7PM; Wednesday - Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 7PM & 9:30PM; Sunday at 7PM
45 Bleecker Street Theatre
Tickets are $39-59 ($39-$49 during previews)
To purchase tickets please visit Tele-charge at 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.
PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS is a non-sexual adult show.

For more information visit www.puppetryofthepenis.com

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