Vladimir Versailles Joins Rattlestick's THE WOOD

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater announced today that Vladimir Versailles has joined the cast of The Wood, a new play by award-winning filmmaker Dan Klores about the life of New York columnist Mike McAlary. Mr. Versailles assumes the role of Abner Louima, replacing Gregory Bastien who has left the production. The Wood will begin performances on Wednesday, August 31 at Rattlestick Theater (224 Waverly Place - off Seventh Avenue South, between Perry & West 11th Streets). Opening night, originally set for Thursday, September 8, will now be Friday, September 9 at 7pm. David Bar Katz directs.

Dan Klores has written a fast-paced, insider's look at Mike McAlary, the larger than life columnist for the Daily News and the New York Post and his missionary zeal to ferret out the truth. A Pulitzer Prize-winner for his exposé of the New York polIce Torture of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima in 1997, McAlary died of colon cancer on Christmas Day 1998 at the age of 41.

"Mike's life was made for theatre," says Klores. "He was filled with energy, genius and courage. He was a tough and shrewd New Yorker with a b.s. barometer that clicked in from the get go."

Mr. Versailles joins Michael Carlsen, Melanie Charles, David Deblinger, Kim Director, Thomas Kopache, John Viscardi and Sidney Williams.

The creative team features John McDermott (scenic design), Kalere A. Payton (costume design), Joel Moritz (lighting design), Janie Bullard (sound design), Steve Channon (projection design) and Nina Alexander (properties). Jamie Wolfe is Production Stage Manager and Sam Horwith is Assistant Stage Manager.

The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm and Monday at 8pm. Tickets are $55 and are available through TicketCentral.com/212- 279-6200.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is a multi-award-winning company which has produced over fifty world premieres in the past sixteen seasons and was the recipient of the 2007 Ross Wetzsteon Memorial OBIE Award for its work developing new and innovative work. Rattlestick's Advisory Board participates in The Emerging Playwrights Project, which matches a new playwright with an established artist for an experienced eye and creative support. Playwright and artist mentors have included Edward Albee, Jon Robin Baitz, Zoe Caldwell, Arthur Kopit, Craig Lucas, Joe Mantello, Terrence McNally and Marsha Norman. Previous plays include Two Boys in a Bed, Message to Michael, Carpool, Volunteer Man, A Trip to the Beach, Ascendancy, Stuck, Vick's Boy, The Messenger, Saved or Destroyed, Neil's Garden, My Special Friend, Faster, Bliss, St. Crispin's Day, Where We're Born, Five Flights, Boise, Finer Noble Gases, God Hates The Irish: The Ballad of Armless Johnny, Miss Julie, Acts of Mercy: passion-play, Cagelove, It Goes Without Saying, Dark Matters, Stay, American Sligo, Rag and Bone, War, Geometry of Fire, That Pretty Pretty; or The Rape Play, The Amish Project, Killers and Other Family, Post No Bills, Blind, Little Doc, underneathmybed, There Are No More Big Secrets, The Hallway Trilogy, Carson McCullers Talks About Love, the Off-Broadway GLAAD Award-nominated hit The Last Sunday in June, Craig Wright's The Pavilion (Drama Desk nominee - Outstanding Play of 2005) and Lady (Drama Desk nominee - Outstanding Play of 2008), as well as The Aliens by Annie Baker (2010 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play).

Bio
Vladimir Versailles graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Acting and a minor in Musical Theatre. While attending MMC he received a full scholarship to study abroad at the British Academy of Dramatic Arts. Pre/Post graduation Vlad performed regionally at The Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia, New Jersey Shakespeare Theatre Company and Classical Theatre of Harlem in NY. His recent TV and Film credits include Tom Fontana's "The Philanthropist" on NBC, the hit indie film "Moozlum," and the upcoming film "How to Score Your Life." He will follow up his New York stage debut this fall in Burning at The New Group. Vlad would like to give all the Glory to God and to thank all of his Family and Friends for their support. Peace!!!

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