Parity Productions' world premiere of Charlie's Waiting by Mêlisa Annis opens at Theaterlab Off-Broadway March 31. In the new drama, which began performances March 28, a couple is forced to confront issues of intimacy the night before their wedding.

Parity Productions Artistic Director Ludovica Villar Hauser directs a cast made up of Tony nominee Xanthe Elbrick (Coram Boy, Candida), Stephanie Heitman (A Snowfall in Berlin) and Amy Scanlon (Balladeers Play to the Moon).

“We often use the phrase ‘a singular talent for storytelling’ to describe part of our selection criteria for playwrights," says Hauser. "Mêlisa Annis has that very singular talent. She explores intimacy, trust, abandonment, abuse of power, and relationship dynamics—all told with her characteristic dark wit and deep wisdom. Mêlisa can make us laugh and make us uncomfortable, all while keeping us on the edge of our seats.”

Charlie’s Waiting features production design (set, costume, and props) by Meganne George (A Wonderful Life), lighting design by Miriam Nilofa Crowe (Teenage Dick), and sound design by Caroline Kittredge Faustine (Single Rider). The production is assistant directed by Judith Binus, with dramaturgy by Jennifer Kranz, stage managed by Jenna Ng Lowry, assistant stage managed by George Weinhouse, M.D., general managed by Isabella Schiller and cast by Jamibeth Margolis, C.S.A.

Parity Productions is a New York-based theatre company dedicated to producing new work and filling at least 50% of the creative positions (playwrights, directors, and designers) with women and/or trans and gender nonconforming (TCNG) artists.

Performances are scheduled through April 20 20 at Theaterlab (357 W 36th Street). Click here to purchase tickets to Charlie's Waiting.