Women Behind Bars, Starring Amy Stiller, Opens at The 13th Street Repertory Theatre.

The iconic and historic, Off-Off Broadway 13th Street Repertory Theatre is opening WOMEN BEHIND BARS by Tom Eyen, on March 21st, featuring Amy Stiller, daughter of famed comedy team, Stiller and Meara, in the lead role, as Gloria.

For 13th Street Rep Artistic Director, Joe John Battista, this has been a life-long dream in the making. "...It got to the Rep because for 45 years I've wanted to do it," says Battista. "It is the most iconic, hysterical play, which is a takeoff on one of the greatest B movies ever made, called CAGED. I had to find fantastic actors, and I did! I have Amy Stiller playing Gloria...She's just dynamite and she's going to take this thing and put it through the roof!"

The black comedy is set in the Women's House of Detention in Greenwich Village circa 1950's. "You've got 10 women on stage, all locked up, and none of them belong together," says Battista. Among the range of women within the prison are an innocent young woman, a chain-smoking street-wise tough girl, and a delicate Southern belle reminiscent of Blanche DuBois.

The innocent young woman was framed by her husband on a charge of armed robbery, and is brutalized, betrayed, and sexually assaulted throughout her eight years in prison. She is ultimately broken by the system and leaves jail as a hard-edged, gum-chomping drug dealer.

These women are overseen by the prison's sadistic matron, Pauline (Played by Kelli Lynn Harrison*), and her tough sidekick, Louise (played by Andy Crosten).

The play opens Thursday, March 21st at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre, 50 West 13th Street and runs until April 7th. Directed by Joe John Battista*, and produced by Roslyn McKay, it includes Amy Stiller* (as Gloria), Kelli Lynn Harrison* (as the Matron), Kerielle Sollecito (as Mary Eleanor), Marlene Villafane* (as Guadalupe), Jena Mroz (as Blanche), Janel Koloski (as Cheri), Andy Crosten (as Louise), Meridith Nicholaev (as Ada), Mary Tierney* (as Granny/Warden), Daniel Yaiullo (as Paul, Doctor, Man, and Guard).

Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets (https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4105328) and cash at the box-office 30 minutes before curtain. The performances run MARCH 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, and APRIL 4, 5, 6 all at 7:30pm. There will be on SPECIAL MATINEE APRIL 7TH at 3pm.

TICKETS: $25 STUDENTS & SENIORS: $15 with I.D.

*Actors appearing courtesy of Actors Equity