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Gina Kim shines a harsh spotlight on a subject all too often kept in The Shadows and comes out the other side in one piece in the World Premiere of Miss Kim, a brutally honest work about falling down and learning to get up again, beginning its World Premiere run on August 13th at The Players Theatre, located at 115 MacDougal Street. Written by Gina Kim and Ryan Tofil and directed by Matthew Corozine, Miss Kim is part of the 14th Annual New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC).
Being molested by your uncle at age 8 is horrific, but receiving no family support when you try to tell them what happened is even worse; an event which leads a young girl down an emotional rabbit hole of anger, confusion and terrible, terrible loneliness. Gina Kim leads a cast of six in telling her own story, which follows her as she tries to move beyond these incidents only to plunge headlong into the uncensored world of dating, self-help groups, and people who are determined to take advantage of everything she has to offer; while others will do their best to help her in spite of herself.
"Sexual abuse is one subject most people simply don't want to talk about," Gina noted, "especially in the Korean culture. Which is ironic, considering that Korea has one of the highest populations of sex offenders. But stories like mine need to be told. Not only to share what happened, but also to let survivors see that the past is really the past and that we are still whole and complete and worthy of living a fulfilling life."
The cast of Miss Kim includes Christy Candler* (Wicked, Aida on Broadway), Tessa Faye*, Justin Gentry*, Gina Kim, Matthew McCurdy and Ryan Tofil*. The production is an Equity Showcase. Gina Kim (Playwright/Co-Producer) is actively engaged in sexual abuse prevention and education. As Founder and President of ARIA (Awareness of Rape and Incest through Art), she raised funds for Mt. Sinai's Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Program and the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault. Gina also volunteered for Bellevue Hospital's Rape Crisis Program. Her performance credits include background vocals for pop music stars in Korea, regional plays, telethons, and other random projects.
Co-writer Ryan Tofil has performed in numerous touring, regional theatre, and off-off Broadway productions, including Nicky Silver's The Maiden's Prayer as Andrew, Fiddler on the Roof as Perchik, and John Patrick Shanley's The Big Funk as Austin. As a director, he had the opportunity to stage High School Musical and Charlotte's Web at the Barshop Jewish Community Center. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from the New School University, with additional focus in Creative Writing. He is certified EC-12 to teach Special Education and Theatre Arts and has previously worked in the Southwest Independent School District in San Antonio as a Special Education Life Skills Instructor. Ryan has taught acting at the Matthew Corozine Studio and worked as an acting instructor for teens and pre-teens at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Director Matthew Corozine is a Professional Acting Teacher and Director in New York City where he is the Artistic Director of the Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre, Inc. Matthew directed the 2009 FringeNYC hit The Boys Upstairs, which was extended as part of the Fringe Encore Series. Matthew recently filmed My Time, a new reality TV pilot produced by and in conjunction with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Matthew's students are currently working on Broadway, in television and film, various national commercials and more. The January 2009 issue of Italian Vogue featurEd Matthew as one of eight "New York Icons" on a full page in their "Iconic People" edition.
Running through August 27th, Miss Kim will be performed at The Players Theatre, located at 115 MacDougal Street (between 3rd Street and Minetta Lane) as part of the New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC). Show times are Friday, August 13th at 7:30pm, Tuesday, August 17th at 8:45pm, Sunday, August 22nd at 4pm, Tuesday, August 24th at 2pm and Friday, August 27th at 4:45pm. Tickets are $15.00 in advance, $18.00 at the door and $10.00 for people over 65. Reservations: 1-800-469-7619, www.fringenyc.org. Additional information can be found soon at www.misskimtheplay.com as of July 20th.
