Lazaros Theodorakopoulos stars in the tour-de-force solo play, NIGHT JUST BEFORE THE FOREST by the acclaimed French playwright Bernard-Marie Koltès, translated by Timothy Johns and directed by Bill Bowers, at the Hellenic Cultural Center NYC (Newtown Stage) on December 7 at 5pm and on December 8 at 3pm. The play is produced by the Eclipses Group Theater NY, the Hellenic Cultural Center NY and Lazaros Theodorakopoulos. 

Lazaros is thrilled that the majority of the proceeds will benefit Newtown Stage, a new theater at the Hellenic Cultural Center. (25-02 Newtown Ave, Astoria, NY 11102, United States).

In this stream-of-consciousness monologue, a man scours his easily distracted mind to find a path through his life. Lazaros Theodorakopoulos creates an entire world through the text and through his command of physical theater and the use of props, drawing the audience along on this journey at a frenetic pace. The whole production is squeezed into a suitcase that holds all the lights, costumes and props.

NIGHT JUST BEFORE THE FOREST (1977) was Koltès’ first widely acclaimed play. He is considered to be heir to Samuel Beckett, Jean Cocteau and Jean Genet and his plays have been translated into more than 36 languages. Koltès died of complications from AIDS in 1989.

In the US, Timothy Johns' translation (1982) was first read by Gilbert Price on June 13, 1983 at Ubu Repertory Theater in New York and first performed by Kevin V. Smith (directed by E Barnick) in 2012 at Viaduct Theater in Chicago.

Tickets ($25 & Pay what you can)

Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhHbXULuu5k

Learn more www.thelazaros.com

Originally from Greece, Theodorakopoulos has been an actor in NYC and Greece for twelve years and began collaborating on this production with Bill Bowers in 2021. Both studied acting at the legendary William Esper Studio.

Theodorakopoulos produced and starred in the 2022 New York premiere of Koltes’ play at the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center NYC. The 2024 USA-CANADA tour, which began in New York on April 5 2024, is Theodorakopoulos' second run of "La Nuit juste avant les forêts" by Bernard-Marie Koltès, translated by Timothy Johns and includes Bernard-Marie Koltès premiere in Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Maryland.

Bill Bowers is an American mime artist and actor based in New York City. As an actor, mime and educator, Bill has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.