American Premiere of Merrick, the Elephant Man Opens Off-Broadway Dec. 1

By Adam Hetrick
01 Dec 2009

The U.S. premiere of Mary Swan and Saul Jaffé’s one-man work Merrick, the Elephant Man – part of Brits Off-Broadway – officially opens Dec. 1 at 59E59 Theaters.

The Proteus Theatre Company presents the engagement that began previews Nov. 24 and will run through Dec. 13. Co-author Swan directs.

Described as a fusion of burlesque, new circus and physical theatre, Jaffé stars in the work that press notes call "a highly physical, one-man tour-de-force version of this classic story recharged for the 21st Century. Often the most remarkable stories are the true ones, and the story of Joseph Carey Merrick is certainly that. From an object of curiosity and social revulsion to celebrity, Merrick’s life and tragic destiny is as relevant today as it ever was."

Merrick has production design by Sam Pine and music by Paul Wild.

Additional productions presented as part of Brits Off-Broadway are Nichola McAuliffe's A British Subject (Dec. 9-Jan. 3, 2010); Simon Green (Dec. 15-Jan. 4, 2010); and Fascinating Aida is Absolutely Miraculous (Dec. 16-Jan. 4, 2010).

For tickets phone (212) 279-4200 or visit TicketCentral.

Visit 59E59Theaters.