Joe Lewis Joins London Transfer of Off-Broadway Hit ‘Invasive Species’

Joe Lewis, renowned producer of notable projects like Fleabag and 100 Foot Wave, has announced his involvement in the London transfer of the acclaimed off-Broadway play Invasive Species. His company, Amplify Pictures, will co-produce the play, which is set to run at the King’s Head Theatre from September 3 to October 3, 2023.

The play, written by Maia Novi, is a semi-autobiographical work that captures the struggles of an immigrant actor pursuing her Hollywood dreams. Novi, who will reprise her lead role in London, portrays a character willing to risk her sanity for a chance at American cinema stardom. The production also features Harrison Osterfield, known for his role in Netflix’s The Irregulars, as well as Ella Blackburn, Max Percy, and Kalifa Taylor.

Joining Lewis on this project are lead producers Eric Kuhn and Adam Rodner, along with a talented roster of co-producers, including Lucy Moss, co-creator of the hit musical Six, and several other notable production partners. The collaboration continues the successful partnership between Lewis and Kuhn, who previously co-produced the Tony Award-winning musical A Strange Loop on Broadway in 2022.

Michael Breslin, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, returns to direct the London production. The show garnered significant attention when it debuted in New York last year, generating considerable buzz for its fearless and humorous approach to the immigrant experience in the arts.

Lewis expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Invasive Species is fearless, hilarious, and beautifully risky, and exactly the kind of bold new work Amplify wants to champion in live entertainment. We’re honored to help bring Maia Novi’s play to London and to once again partner with our longtime collaborator Eric Kuhn on another remarkable production.”

Kuhn added, “We are thrilled to have Joe and Amplify Pictures as new co-producers on Invasive Species. Joe has a long history of having a pulse on culture and finding new talent, so it is no surprise he is attracted to this play, and to Maia’s work.”

The upcoming production promises to be a vibrant exploration of ambition, identity, and the immigrant experience, set against the backdrop of the challenging landscape of the entertainment industry. As the opening date approaches, anticipation builds for this unique theatrical offering in London.