Cellar Door Theatre’s HOT STEAMS Set for World Premiere at Planet Connections

May 23, 2012 - PRLog -- Planet Connections Theatre Festival will host a production of Cellar Door Theatre’s Hot Steams by Zach Wegner at the Bleecker Street Theatre, 45 Bleecker, June 7 through June 21, to benefit The Innocence Project.  The world premiere of Wegner’s play will feature Braeson Herold and Timothy Weinert, along with the playwright.  Directed by Jaclyn Biskup, the story takes place in solitary confinement where a man wakes to find he’s got company.  Next to him rests a man dressed as Santa.  Their identities unravel, as do the men.

Planet Connections Theatre Festival goers will remember Wegner, a regular of the New York stages, as a nominee for Outstanding Featured Actor in last year’s production of Mark Jason Williams’ The Other Day.  Wegner is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf and The British American Drama Academy.  He has appeared off-Broadway in The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, Rich Boyfriend and The Lover.

Stars Herold and Weinert are seasoned film and stage actors.  In addition to Herold’s recognition for the comedy short film Gum Dick and his stand-up appearances at Caroline’s, he has appeared at Ensemble Studio Theatre and is a successful solo artist having appeared at The Kraine, The Red Room and The P.I.T.  Weinert will be appeared in Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead, Sweet Bird of Youth and The Reckoning.  His film and television credits include The Fugitive Chronicles and The Matter With Clark.

Directing the darkly comic thrill ride is Jaclyn Biskup, founder of The Mill (fka Experimental Theatre Chicago) and Northwestern alum.  Biskup is currently working with Karin Coonrod on Love’s Labour’s Lost at The Public Theatre.  The design team for Hot Steams includes costumer Deirdre Wegner (In Treatment, How to Make it In America, Saturday Night Live), set designer Edward K. Ross, and lighting by Amith Chandrashaker.

Planet Connections is an eco-friendly/socially conscious not-for-profit arts festival, fostering a diverse cross-section of performances. At the heart of the festivity are individuals striving to create professional, meaningful theatre, film, music and art, while supporting organizations that give back to the community at large.  Cellar Door Theatre is giving back by donating to The Innocence Project and focusing attention on a worthy cause.  They have also committed to being “paperless” wherever possible, promoting green transportation in rehearsals, using repurposed and/or recycled products in the design of the play, and leaving no carbon footprint in the disposal of items used in the show.

Hot Steams plays as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festival 2012.  Performances take place at The Bleecker Street Theatre, 45 Bleecker Street at Lafayette Blvd.  Performances are June 7, Thursday @ 8:30 pm; June 9, Saturday @ 10:00 pm; June 12, Tuesday @ 9:30 pm; June 19, Tuesday @ 10:30 pm; June 21, Thursday @ 7:00 pm.

About the Play
In this futuristic mental ride through torture and imprisonment, a man finds himself jailed and dressed in a Santa suit with no memory of who he is or how he got there.  His cellmate, a questionably accused mass murderer, is supposed to be in solitary confinement.  Their sanity is at stake as they face an unscrupulous law enforcer.  Performances benefit The Innocence Project and are part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festival.  

Links
Planet Connections Theatre Festival – http://planetconnections.org/theater-festival-full-produc...
Tickets To Hot Steams – https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/911604
The Innocence Project – http://www.innocenceproject.org/

Video
“Gum Dick” (short film featuring Braeson Herold) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GITSZUEqaL8


“The Matter with Clark” (trailer featuring Timothy Weinert) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vwhqtgWUc