Photo Flash: Stolen Chair Theatre Opens THE MAN WHO LAUGHS at Urban Stages Tonight

Freely inspired by Victor Hugo's novel, equal parts horror, comedy, and romance, THE MAN WHO LAUGHS is a "live silent film," performed in grayscale with live music, about a man whose face has been carved into a permanent smile and his desperate quest for the world to take him seriously. Hugo's character of Gwynplaine, "the laughing man", inspired the creation of Batman's infamous nemesis, The Joker.

THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, presented by The Stolen Chair Theatre Company at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues) will play a four-week engagement tonight, January 31-February 24; Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, with an additional performance on Monday, February 4 at 8:30pm. Tickets ($30; $25 students; $20 in 1920's costume) may be purchased online at www.stolenchair.org or by calling 212-868-4444. The show runs approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission.