Casting Complete For LURED In NYC And Rome

Lured, written by Frank J. Avella, explores the persecution of gays in Russia and will have a World Premiere 3-week run at Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Artistic Director) November 8-25, 2018. In addition, the play was accepted into the Onstage! American Theater Festival in Rome, Italy, with performances January 25 & 26, 2019. Lured will be co-directed by Mr. Avella and Carlotta Brentan. The U.S. production is a TNC/Impetus Ensemble co-production.

Cast members include: Ms. Brentan, Brendan Daugherty, John DiMino, Cali Gilman, Kalen J. Hall, Marc Lombardo & David Joseph Volino.

Lured had its first NYC performances at the TNC Dream Up Festival in 2016. The following year, the piece was chosen to take part in the 36thAnnual William Inge Theater Festival (PlayLabs).Lured was a semi-finalist for the 2018 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference and has received a 2018 grant from the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation.

Based on factual accounts and events, Lured focuses on one particular Russian hate group's attack on a young gay man and the repercussions that follow. The play brutally depicts how these vigilantes lure and entrap LGBTQ people, humiliating and sometimes torturing them on camera. And through a twist, the piece explores how hate is taught and whether revenge is ever the answer. In this current world climate, the play could not be timelier. Lured is for mature audiences only.

Ticketing information and more creative team announcements to follow.

Website: LuredThePlay.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuredThePlay

Twitter: @LuredThePlay

Please call 973-715-2356 for further information or email luredtheplay@gmail.com.

Frank J. Avella (Author/Co-director)is the recipient of a 2018 Bogliasco Foundation Fellowship. He was also awarded a 2015 Fellowship Award from the NJ State Council on the Arts, a 2016 Helene Wurlitzer Residency Grant and the Chesley/Bumbalo Foundation Playwright Award for Consent, which was a 2012 O'Neill semifinalist. His play, Vatican Falls, took part in the 2017 Planet Connections Festivity and Frank was nominated for Outstanding Playwriting. Lured was a 2018 O'Neill semifinalist. Frank has written many plays and screenplays. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Carlotta Brentan (Co-director/Zhanna)is a New York-based theater artist, specializing in fostering original play development as an actor, translator and producer. Recent acting highlights: world premieres of Paolo Bignami's The Journey I Never Made (Cherry Lane), Erik Ehn's Clover (LaMaMa), Cyndy A. Marion's You Are Perfect (WorkShop Theatre). Executive Producer of In Scena! Italian Theater Festival NY. Training: AADA, Academy Company. www.carlottabrentan.com

Brendan Daugherty(Evgeny) is a Brooklyn based actor, musician and artist. In the past year he has been seen on SNL, MTV and various other TV shows. Follow on Instagram @brooklynbrendan.

John DiMino(Dmitry) graduated NYU Tisch with a BFA in Drama. He has been seen in The Shelter's production of Red Roomand the world premiere of Alex Riad's The Floor is Lava produced by the Farm Theater.

Cali Gilman(Tatiana) has workshopped a number of Frank J. Avella plays including Madand Nemesis. Cali is originated the role of Tatiana in Lured at the Dream Up Festival. You can see Cali starring in the popular soap opera web series Triangle on BRTBTV.com http://www.caligilman.com/

Kalen J. Hall(Sergei) has been recognized at film festivals all over the world for New York 2150, newyork2150.com, and The Kidnapping of a Fish, thatstormfilms.com. www.kalenjhall.com

Marc Lombardo(Valentin) is an actor based in NYC. Favorite roles include Jeremy in the NY premier of Mr. Boom and Sid in Waiting for Lefty.

David Joseph Volino(Yuri) is an actor based out of New York. Recent credits include: Reservations: Meet Me in the Lobby (The Kraine) and The Rose Garden (Amazon Prime, Direct TV).