THEATER BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS

presents

The New York Premiere of

directed by Ike Schambelan

April 17 – May 17, 2009
Wed & Thu at 7pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sat & Sun at 3pm

Nicholas Viselli and Marilee Talkington in A NERVOUS SMILE	Melanie Boland and Marilee Talkington in A NERVOUS SMILE
Marilee Talkington and Pamela Sabaugh in A NERVOUS SMILE
Photos by Carol Rosegg

“Poignant and powerful” – TheaterMania.com

“A smartly crafted, tersely told tale lasting little more than 70 minutes...
an interesting edge of dark, absurdist humor... brisk pacing and well-etched performances...
give the story engrossing credibility.” – Back Stage

“A compact John Belluso play being given its New York premiere at the Kirk by
Theater Breaking Through Barriers, explores this dark side of caretaking with an
honesty as commendable as it is brutal.” – The New York Times

“A handsome display, full of fine production value and nuanced detail.
Ike Schambelan's direction keeps his cast of four active and physically engaged,
using well an elegant set by Bert Scott. ... Marilee Talkington offers an
emotionally grounded, generous performance as Nic, and Melanie
Boland is endearing and amusing as Blanka.” – nytheatre.com

“Illuminating… Ms. Talkington… handles the job adeptly.
And Melanie Boland offers a delicious turn.” – The New York Times

The Kirk @ Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues), New York, NY 10036

Tickets $41.25

or
212-279-4200

Low-vision patrons are invited onstage to explore the set 30 minutes before curtain.
Call 212-243-4337 to let us know if you want a tour.

Open captioned performance on Saturday, May 2 at 3pm. Tickets $21.25 with code OPEN.

A Nervous Smile is the final, most powerful play by John Belluso, a wonderful playwright with a disability who passed away tragically more than two years ago, on the cusp of a promising career. In the play, the wealthy parents of a girl severely disabled with cerebral palsy are strained to the breaking point by the burden of caring for their daughter. With a friend whose son also has CP, they decide to leave the burden of their children and fly off to South America and Europe. The play presents the consequences of their actions in a taut, riveting, fierce yet funny 80 minutes.