Member News Release

MAIEUTIC THEATRE WORKS’ (MTWorks) production of David Stallings’ Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell at The International Fringe Festival, opened last Friday, August 8th with a sold out performance. However, just 4 hours before the curtain went up on the second show, they learned that  Maggie Benedict, who played Cleopatra, had lost her father;  that she had to fly out to South Africa immediately to be with her family  and would not be able to continue with the run.

This is something that happens quite often in the theater world, and the answer has always been “The Show Must Go On”, but for a small and fresh theater company that has only been around for three years, this was a first. Fortunately Kristina Kohl, a company actress, and David Stallings’ original inspiration for the role of Cleopatra, jumped right in, grabbed a script, scribbled down stage directions and saved the night. The show did go on.

Duncan Pfaster of Broadway World who was in the audience said in his review:

“* on the night I attended, Ms. Benedict had a death in the family, and Kristina Kohl, another actress from Maieutic Theatre Works, took over her role with 4 hours notice, on book, and gave a fine performance.” –Duncan Pflaster, Broadway World.

MTWorks, the cast and crew of Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell would like to dedicate the remaining 3 performances to Maggie Benedict and the memory of her father.

Kristina Kohl will be finishing out the run staring as Cleopatra in the final three performances of ANAÏS NIN GOES TO HELL.  This limited engagement is part of the 12th annual New York International Fringe Festival-FringeNYC at The Connelly Theater (Venue # 17; 220 East 4th Street-between Avenue A & Avenue B).

What reviewers are saying about ANAÏS NIN GOES TO HELL:

 “For a play about woman, but written by a man, it tapped into the greater female psyche…” -NY Press

“[Shelly] Feldman is a gleeful delight as Nin- owning every moment she's onstage with stylish grace and power- one really believes her as the catalyst for all the change her character inspires.” –Broadway World

“It's nice to see a play that relies on strong women.”  –NY Theatre.com

“Cristina Alicea's direction is wonderful- she brings the most out of the talented cast.” –Broadway World

Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell plays the following schedule through Sunday, August 24th:

Sunday, August 17th at 7:15 pm  
Thursday, August 21st at 5:15 pm
Sunday, August 24th at 2:45 pm

Running time is 2 hours with an intermission.

Tickets are $15.00.  $10 senior citizens (65 years or older), and for those who purchase groups of 20 or more tickets to a single performance. Tickets can be purchased at www.FringeNYC.org or 866.468.7619. Tickets may also be purchased in person at FringeCENTRAL, the main box office for the Festival, up until 24 hours before the actual performance.  On the day of the performance, tickets must be purchased at the venue where the show is playing.  Venue box office opens 15 minutes before the performance. (Cash only.)  

Please check www.fringenyc.org and www.mtworks.org  for updates.

Promo Photos are available at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kampfirefilms/AnaSNinGoesToHellFringeNYC2008  

Press Photos of actual production are available at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47808&l=f7c3b&id=565222512