THE CULT PLAY Makes World Premiere in February

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble announces the world premiere of Topher Cusumano's THE CULT PLAY which will begin previews on January 27 and will play through February 17, 2018 at The Paradise Factory Theatre at 64 East 4th Street (next door to La Mama) in NYC.

The Cult Play, a new dramedy by Topher Cusumano, follows The Soul Scouts, a religious cult run by Mama Pearl, a charismatic mystic. The group believes the divine rapture will be realized with the coming of the Goddess. However, Mama Pearl fears she's losing control of the struggling group after the defection of a longtime follower. When Mae, a tech-savvy queer punk, begins the process of joining the group, she introduces Mama Pearl to the powers of social media, changing the course of the Soul Scouts' destiny forever.

The Cult Play is a product of Phoenix Theate Ensemble's Playwright Development Program. Cusumano in a recent interview on the production stated "I think the cautionary message [in The Cult Play] is that beyond the performative hocus pocus of cults, there are very real victims with almost no avenues for support. I hope people walk away with a greater understanding of the challenges faced by victims in these situations, and also some questions for themselves about who and what they believe in most strongly."

Irene Lazaridis directs the 8-member cast headed by Lori Parquet as Mama Pearl with Layan Elwazani , Ariel Estrada, Oscar Klausner, John Lenartz, Josh Moser, Stacey Raymond and Elise Stone. The directing and design team includes Aiden Dreskin, sound design, Attilio Rigotti, projection and video design, Debbi Hobson, costume design, JB Douglas, environmental design, Kevin McGuire, fight director, Madelyn Sher, choreography, Mason Delman, light design, Yeritza Madera, Production intern, and Meghan McVann is production stage manager.

Tickets: Tickets are $25.00; Call 212-352-3101 or visit www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org.

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is a non-profit theatre company now in its 14th season of presenting new and classical works. The 2017-18 season includes American Moor by Keith Hamilton Cobb (July/August @ Boston Center for the Arts); Tartuffe by Moliere (October/November in NYC), The Cult Play, world premiere of a serialized drama by Topher Cusumano (January/February in NYC); and a play to be announced (April/May in NYC). The reading series for 2017-18 will be rarely performed plays by Pirandello. www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org

Graphic by David Ayllon; photo Lori Parquet by K SmithStoneationsWinner Best Revival NYIT Award