The WorkShop Theatre Company Presents 'Weird'

The WorkShop Theater Company, whose members developed, wrote and produced the Academy-Award-winning film, “Finding Neverland,” announces a two week run of “WEIRD,” a new comedy by Ben Alexander, developed at the WorkShop.

"WEIRD" follows the story of Doreen (Clare Patterson), a young, Catholic-college freshman who inadvertently discovers she has a powerful desire to spank her roommate Jill (Alexandra Devin). After searching for a way to get cured of this "WEIRD" problem, including a consultation with her psychology professor, Lawrence Havemayer (Fred Velde), Doreen reaches out to an online confidante, earthy novelist Vancouver Pengirl (Christine Verleny), who guides Doreen to the "Spanks-A-Lot Chat Forum."  She gets advice and support from the chat room moderator, Le Chavalier, and more than one playful threat of a good spanking from web denizens Leatherman (Nelson Lugo) and Rosey-Bottom (Sauda Jackson).  Life on campus turns scandalous when Doreen learns Le Chevalier's real identity and accidently spills the beans to her roommate, Jill (Alexandra Devin), who just happens to be dating the sensationalistic editor of the student paper.

Ben Alexander has been writing plays for almost two decades, and has been a member of the WorkShop for one.  Past productions at the WorkShop include "Chemistry Lab" (2003) and "To Be the Next Connie Hudson" (2000), and he also produced and directed the play "Tavern on the Net" in 1999.  He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Theatre Resources Unlimited, and also teaches and writes about U.S. history at the collegiate level.  He resides in Baltimore.

Richard Kent Green is a Producing Director at the Workshop Theater Company, where he has been a member actor and director for over five years. At WorkShop, he directed "The Barksdale Confession" on the WorkShop Main Stage in 2003 and Shocked and Awed, an evening of political sketch comedy in 2004, both by William C. Kovacsik, as well as developmental readings of WEIRD and other projects. Richard is also co-creator, co-producer and co-host, along with Mr. Lugo, of "VAUDEVILLE NOUVEAU - An Extravaganza of Burlesque Proportions," with monthly benefit performances at the WorkShop and he produces the Red-To-Black Party, the WorkShop's annual Fall benefit.

WEIRD will perform Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm from September 24th - October 4th in the Jewel Box Theater at the Workshop Theater Company.  Tickets are available through www.theatermania.com, or by calling the Workshop Theater Company at 212-695-4173 extension 4#. Additional information can be found at www.workshoptheater.org. 

The Workshop Theater Company is located at 312 West 36th Street (just West of 8th Avenue) on the fourth floor. Nearby subways include the A, C, E, N, R, W and 1, 2 & 3 trains. Both Port Authority Bus Terminal and Pennsylvania Station are mere blocks away. One can get information on all events at the Workshop Theater Company by checking the website, signing up for the WorkShop's weekly email blast, "What's up at the WorkShop," or by calling the WorkShop at 212-695-4173.

Performances of WEIRD will also benefit the WorkShop Theater Company, in keeping with the WorkShop's commitment to the development of new works for the American stage.

 

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