Victoria E. Calderone's MANIPULATION Resumes at Cherry Lane 6/21

MANIPULATION, a world-premiere play by Victoria E. Calderon about one woman's struggle for freedom and self-discovery, will resume previews on June 21, prior to an official press opening on June 28 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) in Manhattan. Will Pomerantz
joins the company as director.

In MANIPULATION: Money, position, privilege...Cristina seemingly has it all. And yet, her husband torments her with infidelity while her mother condones it, encouraging Cristina to behave in the same sordid way. Clearly conflicted, she seeks professional help from a psychiatrist who is determined to take advantage of her troubles and satisfy his own lewd intentions. Has Cristina lost all control of her life, mind and body? Or can she turn the tables and cut the ties that bind her? We learn her fate as this provocative modern interpretation of an overlooked biblical story ends with a shocking twist that's as seductive as it is dark and dangerous.

Brendan McMahon, Rafi Silver, and Marina Squerciati join the previously announced ensemble of MANIPULATION, which includes Robert Bogue, Gabriel Furman, Jeremy Stiles Holm, and Saundra Santiago.

MANIPULATION features scenic design by Bill Stabile; lighting design by Kirk Bookman; costume design by Alejo Vietti; sound design by Jeremy Lee; technical supervision by Jay Janicki; and fight direction by Rick Sordelet.

Mexican-born playwright Victoria E. Calderon began her writing career as a journalist. "El Heraldo de Mexico" published a series of her essays. Additionally she was a columnist and director of the social and cultural section at "El Sol de Mexico." MANIPULATION marks her American premiere.

Will Pomerantz has directed and developed new plays and musicals with such theatres as The Guthrie, American Repertory Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theatre, Hartford Stage, NYTW, The Signature Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theater, Soho Rep, Culture Project, The
Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Studio Theatre, and Epic Theatre Ensemble. He has directed world premieres by such playwrights as John Guare, David Auburn, Neil LaBute, Craig Lucas, Kia Corthron, David Lindsay-Abaire, Stephen Belber, Noah Haidle, and Linda Cho. His recent
production of THE BLUE FLOWER for A.R.T. swept all the major awards in the Boston Area, winning both the Elliot Norton Award, as well as Independent Reviewers of New England Awards for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Design, and Best Musical of the Year. His production of THE SHAPE OF THINGS was voted Outstanding Production of the Year in Washington, DC and received a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Performance. His production of DAI received a Drama Desk
nomination and a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. Will Pomerantz was Director-In-Residence for Culture Project, Staff Repertory Director for The Acting Company, and is
currently Associate Director of Artistic Development for Epic Theatre Ensemble.

Performances of MANIPULATION run June 21-August 21: Tuesdays-Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm and 7pm (with the following exceptions: no performances on Sunday, June 26; added performance Wednesday, June 22 at 2pm; opening on Tuesday, June 28 at 7pm). Tickets are $68.50. For tickets, visit Telecharge.com or call 212-239-6200 or 800-432-7250. Tickets may also be purchased at the Cherry Lane box office: Tuesdays-Fridays, 4-8 pm; Saturdays, 12-8 pm; and Sundays, 1-7 pm.

For more information, visit www.manipulationtheplay.com