Erika Phoebus' RUSALKA Premieres At The 10th Annual Planet Connections Theatre Festivity

Theatre 4the People presents Erika Phoebus’ wild new tale of musical resistance, RUSALKA, as part of the 10th anniversary season of Planet Connections Festivity, at the Theaters of the Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street, New York City (btw Rivington & Delancey) running Thursday 7/12 @9:30pm-11pm; Saturday 7/14 @9pm-10:30pm; Wednesday 7/18 @5:30pm-7pm; Tuesday 7/24 @8pm-9:30pm; Saturday 7/28 @3:45pm-5:15pm; Tuesday 7/31 @9:30pm-11pm

The audience is invited to eavesdrop on the vibrant and perilous world of RUSALKA. Blending history with the atmosphere of an underground speakeasy, this world is brought to life by the bar's live house band, as the music of the WWII era collides with that of our very own modern day to invoke the fire & frenzy of a world at war... a world not too far from our own. The story revolves around two young sisters who infiltrate an underground bar catering to jazz-loving Nazis who find an escape in the music they are meant to forbid. One SS Lieutenant in particular welcomes a sweet romance, though the sisters have been tasked to seduce him to a darker fate. The nearby woods await revenge as music, dancing, boozing and secrets weave together to unlock this wild tale of youthful resistance.

Under the direction of award winning Isaac Byrne, RUSALKA stars Elizabeth Kensek* & Erika Phoebus as the sisters Aletta & Nessa, alongside Chris Cornwell, Ben Quinn*, & Harlan Short, and features musicians Travis Emery Hackett, Alana Rader*, Anna Stefanic*, & Grant Parker. RUSALKA will feature costume designs by Ben Philipps (The Marvelious Mrs. Maisel, Amazon; The Get Down, Netflix)

Tickets and further info: planetconnections.org/

In the tradition of Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, and as a tribute to the spirit of the real women who inspired RUSALKA's heroines, Aletta & Nessa, this production will benefit Women For Women International. Since 1993, Women for Women International has helped more than 478,000 marginalized women in countries affected by war and conflict. We serve women in 8 countries offering support, tools, and access to life-changing skills to move from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. In countries affected by conflict and war, Women for Women International supports the most marginalized women to earn and save money, improve health and well-being, influence decisions in their home and community, and connect to networks for support. By utilizing skills, knowledge, and resources, she is able to create sustainable change for herself, her family, and community.

Planet Connections Theatre Festivity is New York's premiere socially conscious and eco-friendly non-for-profit arts festival. Fostering a diverse cross-section of performances, the Festivity seeks to inspire artists and audiences both creatively and fundamentally, in a festive atmosphere, to form a community of like-minded artists. At the heart of the Festivity are individuals striving to create professional, meaningful theatre, film, music, and art, while supporting organizations that give back to the community at large.

*Members of Actors' Equity Association. This production is an Equity Approved Showcase.