Lucy Prebble’s The Effect, which won the 2012 U.K. Critics Circle Award for Best New Play, officially opens Off-Broadway March 20. The new work, helmed by David Cromer, began previews March 2 at the Barrow Street Theatre.
The production is a collaboration between National Theatre of Great Britain’s North American wing, Barrow Street Theatre and Jean Doumanian Productions. Director Cromer returns to Barrow Street following his acclaimed productions of Tribes and Our Town.
The cast features Kati Brazda (Our Town), Susannah Flood (Tribes, Love and Information), George Demas, Carter Hudson (The Substance of Fire) and Steve Key (August: Osage County).
The play follows the relationship between psychology student Connie and "charming drifter" Tristan. According to production notes, "Both have signed up to a clinical trial for a new antidepressant super-drug. Sealed off from the outside world, the attraction between Connie and Tristan turns into deeper feelings as their doses get stronger. They've been warned of side effects – can they trust their feelings, or is this just a chemical romance? As the trial's overseeing physician and her superior contend with the illicit relationship of their charges, they become increasingly conflicted about the ethical implications of their work. It's soon clear that neither is objective about the complex issues that surround them."
Along with Barrow Street and the National Theatre, the production is being produced by Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian, Tom Wirtshafter, Patrick Daly, Marc & Lisa Biales, Burnt Umber Productions, Scott M. Delman, Dominion Pictures, Dede Harris, JFL Theatricals, Roger E. Kass, Sheila Nevins and Catherine Schreiber.
Scenic design is by Marsha Ginsberg with costume design by Sarah Laux, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau, sound design by Erik T. Lawson, original composition by Daniel Kluger, projection design by Maya Ciarrocchi, fight direction by J. David Brimmer, casting by Cindy Tolan, C.S.A, and production stage management by Richard A. Hodge.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit BarrowStreetTheatre.com. Barrow Street Theatre is located at 27 Barrow Street at Seventh Avenue in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan.
