Arthur Elbakyan to Bring MY INSANE SHAKESPEARE to United Solo 11/12

"My Insane Shakespeare", a solo performance by award-winning actor and director Arthur Elbakyan, returns to New York City's Theatre Row this November. The play will be featured as Encore at the United Solo Theatre Festival after last year's grand success.

The world premiere of Elbakyan's highly anticipated play took place October 2014 at the world's largest solo theatre festival United Solo in New York City. It was sold-out months in advance and was the festival's bestseller. Written, directed, performed by Arthur Elbakyan "My Insane Shakespeare" won the prestigious United Solo Audience award created in partnership with Backstage Magazine.

Elbakyan plays the main character of the play, a man, who has been isolated from society for no reason and is locked up in a mental hospital against his own will, where he is being "treated". But "treated" for what? Betrayed by his closest friends and allies, the man faces both mental and physical suffering in his solitary confinement, where the search for answers begins.

"What is better, to be in a mental hospital among normal people or to be free among the insane? This is the question I ask in my play," says Arthur Elbakyan.

Analyzing love and hatred, life and vanity, the main character realizes that the line between the sane and insane has long been erased. In the midst of solitude and seclusion, his feelings and emotions begin to flow upon paper and canvas.

"I draw parallels between our modern day lives and the days of Shakespeare, I prove that over time, human relationships and values have not changed at all. Moreover, I am convinced that Shakespeare's "to be, or not to be" has become even more of a burning question today," states the playwright.

Arthur Elbakyan is theatre, film, and television director, actor, writer, and producer. Having lived in Armenia, Russia, Europe and the United States, Elbakyan has played over 30 leading theatre roles and has been the author and host of numerous television shows. Elbakyan was the founder of the Theatre Studio "13" and also co-founded the first independent television channel in Armenia "AR". Elbakyan's passion for theatre was strong enough to bring theatre to television with his introduction of a series of television shows "It's Majesty Theatre" on the National Television of Armenia, taking the audience to the unique world of the theatre and performing arts. Recently, Elbakyan has received Best Documentary Short Award at the Los Angeles Film and Script Festival.

"My Insane Shakespeare" will play November 12, 2015, 9 pm at Theatre Row, located at 410 W. 42nd Street. Tickets can be purchased by calling Telecharge (212) 239-6200 or online at www.unitedsolo.org/us/myinsaneshakespeare-2015/. For more information visit www.MyInsaneShakespeare.com or follow on Twitter @MyInsaneShakesp, @ArthurElb and Facebook.com/MyInsaneShakespeare.

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