MERCY ON THE DOORSTEP
Limited Off-Broadway Engagement runs March 14 - April 14

"Hoppe has achieved that rare amalgam: a comic drama that entertains even as it stimulates debate... this play ought to be required viewing" -- The Boston Globe

The Flea Theater presents the New York Premiere of MERCY ON THE DOORSTEP by Gip Hoppe. Coming off a successful run at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater in Cape Cod, this dark comedy earned raves from the Boston Globe and the Cape Cod Times. Flea Artistic Director Jim Simpson directs. Produced on an Off-Broadway contract, previews begin March 14 with opening night scheduled for March 23.

MERCY ON THE DOORSTEP tells the story of Corrine and Rena, an alcoholic widow and her born-again, right-wing stepdaughter. This mismatched pair must learn to co-exist in the house that Corrine's husband left behind. It is a story about hope, redemption, and the ability for even the most disparate of philosophies to find a common ground.

The play stars Laura Esterman (Obie, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winner for Marvin’s Room), Jenn Harris (Lucille Lortel and Theatre World award winner for Modern Orthodox), and Mark Rosenthal (Marvin’s Room, After Ashley, Moonlight Room). Both Esterman and Rosenthal were in the original Wellfleet Harbor production. Set design is by Susan Zeeman Rogers, with costumes by Nathalie Ferrier, lighting by Kevin Hardy and sound by Rick Arnoldi.

Gip Hoppe is the author of fifteen plays including Jackie: An American Life, Cuckooland, Savior of the Universe and Ruby Tuesday. His plays have been performed on and off Broadway, London's West End, The State Theater of Germany and regional theaters across the U.S. His play A New War won the prestigious Elliot Norton Award in Boston and was produced at The Long Wharf Theater in New Haven. Gip is a founding member of Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (W.H.A.T.) on Cape Cod.

The Flea Theater, under Artistic Director Jim Simpson, is one of New York's leading off-off-Broadway companies. Winner of a Special Drama Desk Award for outstanding achievement, Obie Awards and an Otto for political theater, The Flea has presented over 70 plays and numerous dance and live music performances since its inception in 1996. Past productions include Anne Nelson's The Guys, A.R. Gurney's O Jerusalem, Screenplay, and Mrs. Farnsworth, Roger Rosenblatt's Ashley Montana Goes Ashore..., Kate Robin's The Light Outside, Elizabeth Swados' JABU, Talking Band's The Parrot, Karen Finley's Return of the Chocolate Smeared Woman and Glyn O'Malley's A Heartbeat to Baghdad.

MERCY ON THE DOORSTEP runs March 14 - April 14; schedule varies. The Flea Theater is located at 41 White Street (between Broadway & Church Streets -- accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,Q,W,6,J,M,Z to Canal Street or 1,9 to Franklin Street). All tickets are $35 and may be purchased by calling 212-352-3101 or visiting TheaterMania.com.