NERVE
June 8 - July 1 at 14th Street Y

"When are the big leagues going to draft Susan Louise O'Connor? For years, this singular young actor has been one of the downtown stage's most valuable players" -- Time Out

"She has the kind of dynamism, fearlessness, specificity and effortless comedic timing that is the mark of a great actress" -- BroadwayWorld

"She's a remarkable actor of great intensity and emotional power" -- nytheatre.com

Packawallop Productions has teamed up with Hypothetical Theatre Company to present the World Premiere of NERVE, a new play by Adam Szymkowicz. This production, which begins previews June 8 at the 14th Street Y will replace the previously announced production. Directed by Scott Ebersold, the production stars Susan Louise O'Connor and Travis York with sets by Nicholas Vaughn (winner, Best Set Design FringeNYC 2005), costumes by Jessica Watters, sound by Brian Hallas and choreography by Wendy Seyb. Opening night is now slated for Monday, June 12th.

NERVE is a dark romantic comedy about falling into a relationship on the first date. Elliot has never had an online date before... at least one that showed up. Susan has had plenty but would prefer not to discuss them. When they meet in a bar one night, all their neuroses come out. So do a puppet, some modern dance and surprising twist or two.

Susan Louise O'Connor has earned the moniker of "Downtown Favorite" by winning rave reviews for her performances in countless downtown productions. She has been singled out by critics in almost every production in which she has appeared. These include a trio of shows by Daniel MacIvor (Never Swim Alone, See Bob Run and Marion Bridge), Julia Jordan's St. Scarlet, Brad Fraser's Snake in Fridge and The Silent Concerto .

Adam Szymkowicz's plays have been developed or presented at Playwrights Horizons, DR2, Relentless Theater and Manhattan Theater Source, among others. A current Juilliard Lila Acheson Wallace Fellow, Adam received his MFA in Playwriting from Columbia University. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Lecomte du Nouy Prize. He has two plays in production this July: Food For Fish at The Kraine Theater and Pretty Theft at the first Annual Capitol City Fringe.

Scott Ebersold is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and Hypothetical Theater Company. Although he has directed plays by Mac Wellman and Gertrude Stein, his directing career has been focused on the development of new plays. His work has been seen at HERE, INTAR, New Dramatists and New York Theater Workshop. He was recently named Best Director at FringeNYC for Alejandro Morales's the silent concerto.

Since its incorporation in 1994, Packawallop Productions has produced many plays, films and festivals, including the silent concerto (two Overall Excellence Awards at FringeNYC 2005), expat/inferno (Best Overall Production at FringeNYC 2004), a stage adaptation of the cult-classic film The Tingler at Soho Rep; occupation: paris at HERE; the documentary Wiggle (a.k.a. the Jell-O People), celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Jell-O; and the short-film festival Phat Shorts.

NERVE runs June 8 - July 1, Thursday - Saturday at 8pm and Monday at 7pm with an added show Sunday, June 11 at 7pm. The 14th Street Y is located at is located at 344 East 14th Street (between 1st & 2nd Aves., accessible from the L train at 1st Avenue). Tickets are $15, available at 212-868-4444 or smarttix.com.