THE WOODSMAN Opens Off-Broadway Tonight

Oberon Theatre Ensemble - currently celebrating its 17th season - will present the New York premiere of Steven Fechter's play THE WOODSMAN, directed by Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. (who directed Oberon's critically acclaimed production of "The Drawer Boy" last season) with performances beginning April 18 prior to an official press opening of April 21 at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street) in Manhattan.

Haunted by his crime, unforgiven by his family, and tempted by his demons, after 12 years in prison, Walter attempts to rejoin society in Steven Fechter's THE WOODSMAN.

THE WOODSMAN was adapted into a critically acclaimed 2004 film starring Kevin Bacon.

Directed by Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. (Oberon's "The Drawer Boy," who has written "Red Dog Howls," "Still Life," "The Bodyguard," the new Gloria Estefan musical and "Birdman" starring Michael Keaton), the cast of THE WOODSMAN will feature Gabe Bettio ("Luft Gangster"), Gabriel Castillo, Jane Cortney ("R.U.R"), Earle Hugens, Stewart Walker ("Shakespeare's Slave"), and Mercedes Griffeth ("Orange is the New Black").

The design/production team for THE WOODSMAN is Rebecca Lord-Surratt (set design), Bobby Pearce (costume design), Nick Moore (sound design), Amith Chandrashaker (lighting design), Mark Karafin (assistant director), Dee Dee Katchen (production stage manager), Chris McFarland (assistant stage manager) and Jenna R. Lazar (production manager) - the same design/production team as "The Drawer Boy."

Steven Fechter's theatrical works have been produced throughout North America and Europe. Productions include "The Last Cigarette" (Lounge Theatre, Critic's Choice by LA Weekly and Backstage-West), "The Golden Aurora" (New York International Fringe Festival), "The Commission" (Theater Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany), and "The Woodsman" (Old Red Lion Theatre, London; and Theater Bielefeld, Germany). In 2011, Resonance Ensemble Theatre produced his commissioned play "Shakespeare's Slave" at the Clurman Theatre in New York. In 2012, Thom Fogarty and Other Side Productions produced world premieres of his plays "The Artifacts" and "The Mentee" at the Bridge Theatre in New York. In his film work, Steven co-wrote the screenplay for the 2004 film "The Woodsman" (based on his play), starring Kevin Bacon.

Oberon Theatre Ensemble is a New York-based, not-for-profit theatre committed to cultivating and invigorating a diverse theatre community by confronting contemporary issues through classic, original, and contemporary works. Last season, Oberon Theatre Ensemble presented - to critical praise and sold out houses - the New York premiere of THE DRAWER BOY, which was subsequently transferred to a commercial Off-Broadway run at Soho Playhouse.

Scheduled April 18 through May 10, THE WOODSMAN has a performance schedule of Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm (with the following exceptions: no performance Sunday, April 20 and a 7pm performance on Monday, April 21) at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). General admission tickets are $25 (students and seniors: $15) and can be purchased by calling 866-811-4111 or online at www.OberonTheatre.org.