THE COLUMBINE PROJECT Opens At Actors Temple Theatre 8/9

THE COLUMBINE PROJECT, a new play written and directed by Paul Anthony Storiale, will begin performances July 27th at The Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th Street (between Eighth & Ninth Avenues). Opening Night will be Sunday August 9th (at 7 PM).

Ten years ago on April 20, 1999, the world watched as two young men presumed to be outcasts walked into their high school and attempted to massacre hundreds of their peers. Although failing in their original mission to kill 250 students, the two teens left 12 students and a teacher fatally wounded and many others scarred for life. THE COLUMBINE PROJECT examines exactly what went through the minds of several students, including the killers who at one time were just normal kids. Pulled straight from journals, diaries and information shared personally with the writer by survivors of the incident, this true story provides insight into who these children were and who may have also had a hand in cultivating the rampage that resulted in bloodshed and destruction.

THE COLUMBINE PROJECT premiered in North Hollywood in April of this year. After its initial sellout run, the production was extended twice and received unanimous favorable reviews. Upon being invited to bring THE COLUMBINE PROJECT to New York City's Actors Temple Theatre, the entire original cast committed to making the cross country trip to bring a very important story to a whole new audience.

Heading the cast of THE COLUMBINE PROJECT are Artie Ahr, Evan Enslow, Justin Mortelliti, Bradley Michael, and Rya Meyers. Also featured in the cast are Stacy Allen, Will Barker, Alex Bica, Kelli Joan Bennett, Jesse Kove, Kelly McCracken, Derek Meeker, Bree Pavey, Karen Praxel, Morgan Roberts, Sara Swain, Stephanie Weyant, and Marquerite Wiseman.

Playwright/Director Paul Anthony Storiale has produced several shows in Los Angeles using the work of New York writers, such as Jeff Blumenkrantz's Woman with Pocketbook, the West Coast premiere of Gila Sand and Paul Leschen's Drama Desk Award nominated Twist in addition to several other New York originals, like The Ransom of Red Chief, The Musical, and The Life and Times of Joe Jefferson Benjamin Blow. For Woman with Pocketbook, Paul's production won an Artistic Director's Achievement Award for Best Production along with several nominations for Twist, including Best Director of a Musical, and Best Production of a Musical. Paul's sole creation One-Night Stands... The Sex Comedies, for which he won an ADA Award for Best Director of a Comedy, is now in its third continuous year. Currently Paul is co-creating A Big Gay Hollywood Wedding, an audience interactive comedy set to open at the end of August in Los Angeles.

The playing schedule for THE COLUMBINE PROJECT will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. (Special added performances Tuesday July 28th and August 11th at 8 PM; no performances on Wednesday July 29th or Monday August 10th) .Tickets, which will be $31.50 and $56.50 (including facility fee), are available at Telecharge.com or by calling 212/239-6200.

THE COLUMBINE PROJECT is being produced Off-Broadway by David & Pamela Burrus in association with Bree Pavey and Jessimeg Productions.

Websites:

www.myspace.com/BRYN

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