Photo Flash: First Look at Off-Broadway's RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS with Billy Hayes

RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS With BILLY HAYES, written and performed by Bill Hayes, directed by John Gould Rubin, began previews yesterday at St. Luke's Theatre. Scroll down for a first look at the show below!

FIRST he wrote the best-selling book. THEN came the OSCAR-winning movie. NOW Billy Hayes comes to the New York stage with his powerful one-man show, RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS with BILLY HAYES,directed by John Gould Rubin.

After captivating audiences in preview performances at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Hayes will appear in a limited run at the St. Luke'S THEATRE (308 West 46th Street) in the heart of New York's theatre district, from January 22nd to March 23rd, before heading back to the British Isles for a special engagement at London's "Soho Theater."

Hayes' story became an instant legend with the publication of his best-selling book, MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, in 1976 and the release of the OSCAR-winning movie in 1978. For the first time on the live stage, Hayes recounts the five years he spent in a Turkish prison and his brazen escape. He reveals aspects of his adventures never before told, elaborates on many instances portrayed in the film version, and corrects some of the plot-lines and scenes that were fictionalized for the movie - especially the actual, true story of his harrowing, white-knuckle escape.

Since Billy escaped in 1975, he has spoken about his ordeal on television, in classrooms and lecture halls, even back in Turkey. But he has never spoken about it in a theatrical setting, until now.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg