Identity Productions Presents TAPE at Hollywood Fringe, 6/9

Comprised of artists from New York, LA and Chicago, the burgeoning team of "Identity Productions" has announced that it will present the compelling drama TAPE by acclaimed playwright Stephen Belber at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, 2012. The production will open on Saturday June 9th at ArtWorks Theatre Studio A during the Fringe Festival preview period, and run through June 22nd.

TAPE tells the story of best friends Jon and Vince, who find themselves in a Michigan motel room re-examining their youth ten years after their high school graduation. Over the course of their conversation Vince pushes Jon to admit to a past transgression, only to reveal that he is covertly taping the conversation. When their old girlfriend Amy shows up, the tension reaches an explosive boiling point. Beneath its suspenseful, high-stakes surface, TAPE asks the question: who decides your truth?

The intimate play features Jason Karasev, Donald Rizzo, and Juliana Long Tyson.

Jason Karasev is known for his work as a series regular on MTV's "Disaster Date" and for performing at The Second City, Chicago with current SNL cast member Jason Sudeikis. He was also an Ovation nominee for best ensemble for "Mercury Fur". Donald Rizzo was recognized as part of the Best Ensemble Cast for Fox Searchlight's "Choke" at the Sundance Film Festival and is a graduate of the Atlantic Theatre Company acting conservatory. Juliana Long Tyson has been seen on the CW's "Privileged" and Nickelodeon's "Victorious," as well as in Center Theatre Group's "Dead End" at the Ahmanson Theatre.

The production is directed by Elissa Weinzimmer, who recently helmed the Backstage Critic's Pick "School for Suckers" at the Lillian Theatre. She has worked at the Ahmanson Theatre, the Kirk Douglas, the Pasadena Playhouse and Berkeley Rep.; she was also the 2009 winner of the national SDCF Mike Ockrent Fellowship, assisting Tony-Award winning director Casey Nicholaw on the new musical "Minsky's."

TAPE originally premiered at the Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2000. The play was subsequently adapted into a film of the same name starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Uma Thurman.

TAPE will run at ArtWorks Theatre Studio A Saturday June 9th at 6:15pm, Sunday June 10th at 8pm, Thursday June 14th at 10:30pm, Monday June 18th at 8pm, Thursday June 21st at 10:30pm and Friday June 22nd at 10pm.

General admission tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/878.

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