Photo Flash: 'Opus' in Previews at Primary Stages

Primary Stages launches its 2007-2008 season of new works by American playwrights with the New York premiere of the new play Opus by Michael Hollinger (An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf, Red Herring) with direction by Terrence J. Nolen (Arden Theatre Company co-founder and producing artistic director). 

The five-member cast features David Beach (Mamma Mia!, Urinetown, Moon Over Buffalo), Mahira Kakkar (Ms. Witherspoon, The Three Sisters), Michael Laurence (Talk Radio, Levittown), Doug Rees (A Marriage Minuet at Westport Country Playhouse, Opus world premiere) and Richard Topol (Awake and Sing!, Julius Caesar, The School for Scandal).   Performances began Tuesday, July 24, 2007 for a limited run through Saturday, September 1, 2007 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues).   Opening night is set for Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Opus is "a new play about a world-renowned string quartet that is struggling to prepare for their highest-profile performance, when the violinist, and founder of the quartet, mysteriously disappears.  When a young woman is hired as the replacement, her musical gifts inspire the musicians, and they decide on short notice to abandon their friendly Pachelbel Canon program and to replace it with Beethoven's difficult Opus 131.  The rehearsal room becomes a pressure cooker as passions rise, personalities clash, and the musicians are forced to tackle the ephemeral nature of their life's work.  Opus garnered two 2006 Barrymore Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Direction of a Play when it received its world premiere at the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia," state press materials.

For tickets and further information about Primary Stages, please visit the website at www.primarystages.com, or call (212) 840-9705.

Photos by James Leynse

 Douglas Rees, Richard Topol, Mahira Kakkar, Michael Laurence and David Beach

Douglas Rees, Richard Topol, David Beach and Michael Laurence

Michael Laurence and David Beach

David Beach, Richard Topol, Douglas Rees and Michael Laurence

 Mahira Kakkar, Douglas Rees, Michael Laurence, David Beach, and Richard Topol