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KIDSTUFF

"The little company that could... they have achieved what hundreds of people come to New York every year to do: make a mark on the city’s fiercely competitive theater world." -- The New York Times

"one of indie theater's leading troupes" - nytheatre.com

Partial Comfort Productions (‘nami, Battle of the Bards) presents the World Premiere of KIDSTUFF by Edith Freni, directed by Erica Gould. Previews begin September 3rd at The Kirk Theater at Theater Row Studios where Partial Comfort is in its 3rd season as a resident company. Opening night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10th.

Eve has just turned thirty and finds herself lost and at sea in matters of sex, death, identity, and the search for meaning in early 21st century New York City. An ensemble of 7 actors in multiple roles create an eccentric, fast-paced world of mysterious shopkeepers, deranged clergy, alcoholic relatives, and high school bad girls as Eve embarks on a journey of self-discovery. KIDSTUFF is an edgy, fast-moving comedy about young love, grand delusions, and finally realizing you are not the center of the universe.

The production stars Jessica Bates, Justin Blanchard (Journey's End on Broadway), Sharon Freedman, Vincent Madero, Peter O'Connor (Jailbait at Cherry Lane), Cynthia Silver (Bridezilla Strikes Back) and Chris Van Djik with sets by Caleb Levengood, lighting by Jason Jeunnette, costumes by Whitney Locher and sound by John Ivey.

Edith Freni was the recipient of a Lark Theatre playwriting residency in 2002, nominated for the 2003 Seattle Rep Women’s Playwrights Workshop and was a finalist for the 2005 Seven Devils Playwrights Conference. Her plays include Waterborn, This Is It, The Workaround, Au Naturale and Baby Girl, produced by Partial Comfort in 2007. She attended Laguardia High School and NYU where she received her BFA in Playwriting. She is also a competitive amateur boxer.

Erica Gould's recent directing credits include At War: American Playwrights Respond to Iraq (w/ David Strathairn, Bebe Neuwirth, Daniel Sunjata at 45 Bleecker); the world premieres of Neil LaBute's plays autobahn and Stand Up (w/ Mos Def); SpeakEasy, a theatrical event by LaBute, Theresa Rebeck, others (The Public Theater/Joe's Pub); What Light From Darkness Grows (for NPR w/ Phylicia Rashad, Harry Lennix--Gracie Allen/Golden Reel Awards); Adopt a Sailor (w/ Sam Waterston, Liev Schreiber as part of Brave New World at Town Hall). Upcoming directing projects include a new musical theatre adaptation of Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities by composer Stefania de Kenessey. Gould is a Founder/Co-Artistic Director of THE FIRE DEPT and a member of Partial Comfort Productions.

Partial Comfort Productions is a collaborative ensemble devoted to the development and presentation of original new theater. The company was co-founded in 2002 by Chad Beckim and Molly Pearson. Past productions include a trio of acclaimed works by Beckim (‘nami, The Maine Play and ...a matter of choice), Ross Maxwell’s Open House (Best Ensemble Award winner at FringeNYC 2006); Craft and Nelson by Sam Marks; Booty Candy by Robert O’Hara; and Play by O’Hara, Chay Yew, Kia Corthron, Eddie Sanchez, Keith Adkins and Tracey Scott Wilson. For more information visit www.partialcomfort.org.

KIDSTUFF runs September 3-27, Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00pm. The Kirk Theater is located in Theatre Row Studios (410 W. 42nd Street at 9th Avenue). Tickets are $18. For information or reservations call 212-279-4200 or visit ticketcentral.com.