SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE
Five Surreal Comedies by Brian Parks
November 10 - December 4 at HERE

"Parks does wordplay, Python-esque surrealism, and brilliant banter." -- Time Out London

Word Monger presents the World Premiere of SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE, an evening of five short, surreal comedies by Brian Parks. Directed by Atlantic Theater Company’s Paul Urcioli, previews begin November 10th with opening night set for November 12th.

The wolverine dinner guest. A mysterious cocktail party. Another day at the scalping firm. Jesus and Mary’s big malfunction. A messy night with the Stage Irish. One SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE.

Brian Parks is best known as the author Americana Absurdum, winner of the "Best Writing" award at the 1997 New York International Fringe Festival and a Fringe First Award at the 2000 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Americana Absurdum was most recently produced at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory theater this past summer. His play Goner was performed at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as in Ireland, Dallas, New York (at The Present Company Theatorium) and San Jose. His play Out of the Way was produced in San Francisco and shot as the film Out of the Way Café by IDG films. His next play is a black comedy of manners titled Social Success. He is the former theater editor of The Village Voice and former chairman of the Obie Awards.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE is performed by David Calvitto (winner of "Best Actor" at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Rik Walter, Christopher Carley, Leslie Farrell, Jody Lambert, and Jona Tuck. The production features costumes by Daphne Javitch, lighting by Eric Southern, and stage management by Brad Mielke.

Paul Urcioli is a director, actor and teacher in NYU's B.F.A. program. He has directed for The Atlantic Theater Company (The Rimers of Eldritch, Twelfth Night, The Women) and The Mobius Group (Jitterbugging) among many other companies in NYC. As an actor he has appeared in Parks’ Americana Absurdum, Saved, Mojo, Over the River and Through the Woods and the current show Eat the Taste (by Urinetown’s Greg Kotis).

Since opening in 1993, HERE Arts Center has housed unique theater, art, music and dance in its three theaters, two art galleries and café, including Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, Basil Twist’s Symphonie Fantastique, Camryn Manheim’s Wake Up! I’m Fat, and original musical and dance works created and directed by Kristin Marting. HERE supports the work of artists at all stages in their careers through fully-produced works, commissions and subsidized performance and rehearsal space. This production is presented through HERE’s Supported Artist Program, which provides artists with subsidized space, as well as technical and administrative support.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE runs November 10 - December 4, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m (no performance on Thanksgiving). Tickets are $15. HERE is located at 145 Sixth Avenue, between Spring and Broome Streets (accessible from the C train at Spring Street). For more info visit here.org. For tickets call 212-647-0202.