The New Group
www.TheNewGroup.org
Artistic Director Scott Elliott, Executive Director Adam Bernstein
In association with Lisa Matlin present

THE SPOILS

By Jesse Eisenberg

With

REIN DARKE, JESSE EISENBERG, KUNAL NAYYAR, ANNAPURNA SRIRAM, MICHAEL ZEGAN

Directed by SCOTT ELLIOTT
Set Design: DEREK McLANE
Costume Design: SUSAN HILFERTY
Lighting Design: PETER KACZOROWSKI
Sound Design: ROB MILBURN and MICHAEL BODEEM
Projection Design: OLIVIA SEBESKY
Fight Direction: UNKLEDAVE’S FIGHT-HOUSE
Production Supervisor: PRF PRODUCTIONS
Production Stage Manager: VALERIE A. PETERSON
Casting: JUDY HENDERSON, CSA
Public Relations: BRIDGET KLAPINSKI
Advertising: AKA
Associate Artistic Director: IAN MORGAN
Development Director: JAMIE LEHRER
General Management: DR THEATRICAL MANAGEMENT

The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre
480 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues)
(212) 279-4200 or www.TicketCentral.com

Jesse Eisenberg’s THE SPOILS is a multi-faceted exploration of relationships. What shapes our behaviors, our motives, our aspirations, our fears, and our hopes; how does this affect the way we interact with others? Ben (Jesse Eisenberg) and Kalyan (Kunal Nayyar) are unlikely roommates. Ben from a family of well-being and Kaylan from recently devastated Napal have structured a for-the-most-part peaceful co-habitation. While the easy-going Kalyan displays a penchant for PowerPoint as he learns the ways of America, a wired Ben bounces off walls, scales furniture, and shoots out sharp-edged sarcasm and cynicism under the guise of being a progressive filmmaker. Eisenberg is intensely high-energy throughout the entire play – he must be totally exhausted at the end of each performance. Kalyan’s girlfriend (Annapurna Sriram) is no fan of Ben’s, and the situation is only agitated by the re-introduction of Ben’s childhood fantasy Sarah (Erin Darke) and her fiancé Ted (Michael Zegen). As Ben battles for one-uppence, his power is diminished, his erotic dreams are analyzed, his friendships are tested, his lies are revealed, and his vulnerabilities are bared. And to the victor goes the spoils.

Kudos to this fantastic ensemble as characters battle and unite in this provoking work. Although the last act could be pared by 15 minutes, THE SPOILS is a powerful moving play that leaves a lasting imprint.

- Laurie Lawson -