Penguin Rep Theatre Presents Premiere of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, 5/13

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Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Morton Wolkowitz (Stomp, The Unexpected Man) is set to present the Off-Broadway premiere of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, by Tom Dudzick, directed by Joe Brancato. Performances begin April 25th at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Opening Night is set for Sunday May 13th.

MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET will feature Peggy Cosgrave (Long Day’s Journey Into Night with Helen Hayes), Andrea Maulella (Tryst at Irish Rep, One Shot, One Kill at Primary Stages), Rusty Ross (original Broadway cast of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Robert Wilson’s Alice at BAM), and Liz Zazzi (Tony N' Tina's Wedding, Bad Attitudes), and have set and lighting design by Josh Iacovelli, costume design by Gail Cooper-Hecht, and sound design by Chris Rummel.

MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET is a new comedy about family, faith and adjusting to life’s surprises. The Nowaks of Buffalo always thought they were special, ever since Clara’s father, an immigrant from war-torn Poland, had a miraculous vision in his barbershop. But 65 years later, Clara’s youngest daughter has stopped going to mass, her son is dating a Jewish girl, and a deathbed confession causes the family legend to unravel with unexpected results.

Tom Dudzick’s first play, Greetings! was produced off-Broadway at the John Houseman Theatre by legendary producer Arthur Cantor. It has since become a holiday favorite at theatres nationwide. His next play, a semi-autobiographical comedy entitled Over the Tavern spawned the OTT Trilogy and has had over 200 productions, breaking box office records across the country. The Irish adaptation, Over the Pub, also broke the box office record at Cork Arts Theatre in Ireland. Tom has written eight plays to date, most published by Playscripts, Inc. He was recently honored with a memorial plaque embedded in front of his boyhood home in Buffalo.

Joe Brancato's Off-Broadway credits include The Devil’s Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith (2012 Lortel nomination, Outstanding Solo Show); Fall to Earth and Freed at 59E59; Tryst (Outer Critics nomination for Best Play) starring Maxwell Caulfield; Cobb (Drama Desk winner) produced by Kevin Spacey in NYC and LA; From Door To Door at The Westside Theatre; One Shot, One Kill at Primary Stages; Two and a Half Jews; My Italy Story; Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Matter of Minutes; Escape from Happiness (starring Marsha Mason), The Big Swing (starring Madeline Kahn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Marisa Tomei) and Dr. Valentine’s Waltz (starring John Turturro, Laura Linney, Gina Gershon, Jane Alexander) at Naked Angels; Hold the Wedding, produced by Joseph Papp. Regional credits: Seven Angels Theatre (Miracle on South Division Street), George Street Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Houston’s Alley Theatre (Sylvia, Stones in His Pockets, Mere Mortals, Tryst) The Hartford Stage Company, Westport Playhouse, Capital Rep, Boston’s New Rep, Hartford Theatreworks, The Cape Playhouse and Florida Stage. As founding artistic director of Penguin Rep he has directed well over 100 productions there including Joel Drake Johnson's The Fall To Earth starring Michele Pawk. He commissioned and originally directed the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, which is the basis for the Oscar-nominated film Finding Neverland starring Johnny Depp. As playwright, he has written the comedy Drop Dead Perfect and the book for the musical Mae West at the Club El Fey. Joe recently received a second Rockland County Executive Award for artistic excellence.