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THE EATEN HEART
May 24 - June 9 at The Ontological Theater

"Represents everything great about independent theatre. Performances of enormous craft, intellectual rigor and a grandly emotional pay-off. Absolutely gorgeous." --Back Stage on The Debate Society’s The Snow Hen

The Debate Society, one of New York's most vibrant emerging theater companies, in association with the Ontological-Hysteric Incubator presents the World Premiere of THE EATEN HEART. Inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio's 14th century masterwork The Decameron, THE EATEN HEART is the second in The Debate Society's trilogy of new plays based on stories originating from The Black Plague. Directed by Oliver Butler, the production is written by and stars Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen. Previews begin May 24th at The Ontological Theater at St. Mark's Church with opening night scheduled for May 26th.

On a hot summer evening the characters of THE EATEN HEART escape the monotony of their own lives by visting the strange world of a remote motel. Entering into a lucid dream of hilarious, erotic and occasionally gory twists, they engage in steamy roadside intrigue before disppearing back onto the lonely highways.

The production features scenic design by Amanda Rehbein, costumes by Sydney Maresca, lighting by Mike Riggs, sound by Nathan Leigh, and stage management by Amy Ehrenberg.

Hannah Bos is a New York City based actress and playwright. Recent performances include Andrei Serban's Lysistrata with Cherry Jones, Labapalooza at St. Ann's Warehouse and Janos Szasz's Marat/Sade at the American Repertory Theatre. She has toured internationally with Francois Rochaix and participated in the creation of new works at Steppenwolf Theatre and The Piven Theater Workshop.

Paul Thureen spent a season acting with Minneapolis’ Theatre de la Jeune Lune, performing in The Description of the World and touring with Jeune Lune and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in performances of Façade and Pulcinella. Recent New York and international performances include One Year Lease’s tour of Oresteia in Athens and Milan, Tango ‘til They’re Sore at The Flea and The Pumpkin Pie Show at PS122. He has studied acting at The Moscow Art Theater.

Oliver Butler has directed The Snow Hen, A Thought About Raya, After, Seduced, Christmas with the Flamingos, Sold Out: The Rock Musical, Real Dramatic, and Day of Reckoning. He was the Assistant Artistic Director of The Berkshire Theatre Festival where he directed The Einstein Project and This is Our Youth. In the Boston area he directed Charles Ludlam’s Secret Lives of the Sexists. Mr. Butler has assisted directors including Jo Bonney, John Rando, and Pam Mackinnon. In 2004 and 2005 he was a participating director in Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab.

The Debate Society creates new plays through the collaboration of actress Hannah Bos, actor Paul Thureen and director Oliver Butler. The trio began their work together with A Thought About Raya, developed from the writings of Russian absurdist Daniil Kharms which recieved critical acclaim in New York in 2004. They then went on to create The Snow Hen, developed with the help of a Chashama Performing Arts Studio Award, which had a successful New York premiere in 2006. In April 2006, The Debate Society made their West-Coast debut with A Thought About Raya at Insight Out Theatre in Portland, Oregon and subsequently performed the show at The Fusebox Performance Festival in Austin, Texas. Visit www.thedebatesociety.org for more info.

THE EATEN HEART runs May 24 - June 9, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday at 8pm. The Ontological Theater at St. Mark's Church is located at 131 East 10th Street at 2nd Avenue (accessible from the L train to 1st Ave or the 6 to Astor Place). Tickets are $17 for adults / $12 for students, available at 212-352-3101 or Ontological.com.