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TIM BLAKE NELSON JOINS DAVID CHASE IN PRESENTING
DOMINIC CHIANESE WITH THE THEATRE EAST LAURETTE TAYLOR AWARD, MUSICAL GUESTS ‘OF EDEN’

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Tim Blake Nelson, whose 2009 Off-Broadway production of “Eye Of God” was produced by THEATRE EAST, joins David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos” and Graham Russell of Air Supply in honoring Dominic Chianese (“The Sopranos”) with the Laurette Taylor Award on Monday, May 19, 2014 at Trinity Place in Lower Manhattan (115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006).

Nelson’s “Eye Of God” was produced Off Broadway by Theatre East in 2009. Mr. Nelson’s other plays include “The Grey Zone” and “Anadarko” (both MCC Theater). Mr. Nelson, also an actor, appeared in the films “O Brother,” “Where Art Thou?,” “Minority Report,” “Lincoln,” and “The Incredible Hulk.”

Musical guests also include acoustic duo OF EDEN in their first New York-area performance, and a sneak preview of songs from the upcoming family musical “TREASURE ISLAND,” performed by Josh Freilich Musical Friends, featuringKimberly Hirst, Rebecca Kuznick, Brandon Beynon, Michael Kushner,Natasha Edwards, Sammi Kramer and Eric Stockton (Soul Doctor) on guitar.

“Treasure Island” is based on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic with music and lyrics by Graham Russell and Katie McGhie, with book and lyrics by Melissa Bell. Graham Russell, most well known as the songwriting half of Air Supply, wrote such mega-hits as “Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,” and “The One that You Love.”

Dominic Chianese is best known for his role as Corrado “Junior” Soprano on theHBO TV series “The Sopranos.”  Chianese first appeared on Broadway in “Oliver!” in 1965, and he continues to perform in Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre. Chianese was in the television series “East Side/West Side.” In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola cast Chianese as Johnny Ola in “The Godfather Part II.” Chianese’s other films include “Dog Day Afternoon” as the father of “Sunny” (Al Pacino), “And Justice For All,” and “Looking for Richard.” Chianese, also a musician, has appeared in many taverns and restaurants, singing and playing guitar.

The Theatre East Laurette Taylor Award was founded in 2009 to celebrate the exceptional artistic contributions of Laurette Taylor (“The Glass Menagerie”) and to celebrate those that have made similar contributions. Chianese has appeared in several Theatre East productions and readings.

Theatre East is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization putting community back in theatre one play at a time.

After producing the premiere of Christopher Durang’s “The Vietnamization Of New Jersey” (New York Times Critic’s Pick) and the premiere of Texas playwright David W. Crawford‘s “Harvest” (Back Stage Critic’s Pick, Smith & Kraus ’Best New Plays of 2008′) and earning a spot as “Producers To Watch in 2008” on PBS’s “Theater Talk,” the husband-and-wife producing partners, Judson Jones andChrista Kimlicko Jones, along with Joseph Mitchell Parks, founded Theatre East in 2008.

VIP tickets, including all access pre-dinner cocktails and open bar, are $250; Tables $2,000 and include the same plus tickets to both 2014-15 productions and opening night galas. $150 for dinner only.

Tickets Available at www.theatreeast.org/Laurette-Taylor-Award-2014.html or atinfo@theatreeast.com or by calling 347-813-4031

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