NEW HAVEN, CT - Long Wharf Theatre continues its long history of presenting groundbreaking new works by some of the leading lights of the American theatre with its upcoming production of Let Me Down Easy, Anna Deavere Smith's new one woman show.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joan Channick and in conjunction with Tony Award winning producer Daryl Roth, will stage the world premiere of Let Me Down Easy, written and performed by Smith, directed by Stephen Wadworth from Jan. 9 - Feb. 3, on the Mainstage.

"Anna Deavere Smith is inarguably one of the most important and influential theatre artists working in America today. That she is choosing Long Wharf Theatre to workshop and premiere her newest work is an honor that we all can share," Edelstein said.

Known to Long Wharf Theatre audiences as the creator of Fires in the Mirror and Twilight: Los Angeles, Anna Deavere Smith's newest one-woman show - inspired by interviews conducted as a visiting professor at the Yale University School of Medicine - explores the resiliency and vulnerability of the human body.

Channeling the dramatically different corporeal experiences of her many interview subjects, from survivors of the Rwandan genocide to the head coach of the national champion University of Texas football team, Smith captures a kind of grace on stage, a grace that will tell us about the resourcefulness of the human spirit. The New York Times described Smith as "the ultimate impressionist: she does people's souls."

"Uniting these divergent voices is the awareness that none of us are promised tomorrow, and for the time that we are on earth, our bodies house a multitude of experiences and the truth about who we are," Smith said. "This is a portrait of the moment of human resourcefulness."

Smith is known in the popular culture for a stint on the NBC hit "The West Wing" and for her appearances in the films Dave and The American President.

Curtain times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm and 7 pm. Opening Night is Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $31.25-$61.25, and are available online; by calling the box office at (203) 787-4282; and in person at the box office, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven.

Audience members are invited to enrich their theatre-going experience by participating in any of Long Wharf Theatre's premiere events during the run of Let Me Down Easy.

Backstage With . . .

• Thursday, Jan. 10, at 7 pm - Gordon Edelstein will interview a member of the artistic team.
• Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7 pm - Long Wharf's technical staff will provide an inside look at technical tricks and the construction of Let Me Down Easy.

Pre-Play Introduction

• Saturday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 pm - Long Wharf's Artistic staff leads a discussion emphasizing the secrets and challenges of the creative process during the making of Let Me Down Easy.

Audience Exchange

• Tuesday, Jan. 22 and Tuesday, Jan. 29, immediately following performance - Meet members of the acting company and artistic staff for a post-performance discussion.

Sunday Symposium

• Sunday, Jan. 27, immediately following matinee performance - Long Wharf Theatre presents a panel discussion with scholars and artist discussing the issues of the play. Free admission.