Performance Project at University Settlement Presents Rob Benson's SNOW QUEEN, 5/17-18

The Performance Project @ University Settlement presents On The Square Productions' socially relevant retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy story, The Snow Queen, on May 17th & 18th at 8pm at University Settlement, located at 184 Eldridge Street in NYC. This production was devised by the company, written by Rob Benson and directed by Deborah Wolfson while in residence at University Settlement.

Tickets are $15 General or $10 Students/Seniors and can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets or in cash at the door.

The classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen emigrates to 1930s New York. As darkness descends over Europe and depression overwhelms America, two young neighbors forge a friendship that will lead them into danger and adventure. Music, physical story-telling and local history collide to create new magic and fresh mythology. (Recommended for ages 10 and up.)

Award-winning theatre company On the Square Productions discovers and cultivates original works by established and emerging playwrights. Through our unique developmental laboratory, playwrights experiment to transform ideas into fully mounted productions. We are imaginative and innovative yet socially relevant and accessible. We produce work that is reflective of the world we live in, mindful of the past, with an eye focused on the future.

Rob Benson is an actor and playwright originally from the UK. He has performed his one man show Borderline at The Edinburgh and New York Fringe Festivals and various venues around the U.K. The latest version of the piece was recently performed by actor Darren Daly at The Derby Playhouse. He has also written and devised the play Jollity Farm with Myrtle Theatre Company at the Tobacco Factory Theatre (UK). An early section of his play In Your Image won the dialogue competition at The Salisbury Playhouse (UK) and was developed in conjunction with Theatre Works and the Theatre Royal Bath (UK). In Your Image went on to be produced by On The Square Productions at 59E59 (NYC).

Director Deborah Wolfson consistently works with On the Square having directed In Your Image (59E59), Monroe, IL: Over Here/Townie (On the Square at the Flea), America: A Problem Play (Planet Connections Festivity), and serves as OTSP's Literary Manager. Deborah is a graduate of the University of Chicago and an Associate Member of the SDC.

Cast includes company members of On the Square Productions: Leone Hanman, Rachel McPhee, Michael Swartz, Emily Tucker as well as Claudia Acosta, Misty Foster, Graham Halstead, Chris Kloko, and Chris White.

The Performance Project @ University Settlement stands out among local opportunities for performing artists to present original work. We provide established, emerging and young artists and local audiences with opportunities to connect and enrich each other's lives. Our aim is to encourage greater participation in the live arts and to help cultivate diverse creative communities on the Lower East Side. We seek artists who are conscious of the multi-layered communities that co-exist in New York City and who want to reach beyond existing audiences for live performance.

Visit www.onthesquareproductions.com and University Settlement.