59E59 Theaters welcomed Chicago's A Red Orchid Theatre, in association with Bisno Productions, with the NYC premiere of THE OPPONENT, written by Brett Neveu and directed by Karen Kessler. THE OPPONENT began performances on Thursday, July 31 for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 7. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $25 ($17.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.
Accomplished playwright and A Red Orchid Theatre Ensemble Member
Brett Neveu takes a look at the hard scrabble world of boxing from the perspective of a small time gym owner and a young up-and-comer. They come from different worlds, they barely understand each other, but in the ring anything is possible. Questions of loyalty and life's dreams are put to the test in this explosive New York premiere that promises to pull some punches and fearlessly land the others.
THE OPPONENT scored a knock out with Chicago critics and audiences at A Red Orchid Theatre's 2012 world premiere.
Chris Jones from the Chicago Tribune called it, "a great new play that dances, parries and, most important, lands some killer punches." Hedy Weiss of the Sun-Times said THE OPPONENT was "a superb blend of physical and psychological warfare."
Kamal Angelo Bolden (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Victory Gardens) and
Guy Van Swearingen (The Time of Your Life at Steppenwolf) reprise their critically acclaimed roles as Donell and Tre.
A Red Orchid Theatre produces the remount of their critically acclaimed production, in association with New York's
Bisno Productions (Broadway's Mothers & Sons; Grace starring
Paul Rudd & A Red Orchid Theatre's
Michael Shannon). This collaboration marks the launch of a new partnership with
Bisno Productions, under A Red Orchid's expanded mission and new initiative A Red Orchid NYC (
aredorchidnyc.org) - introducing the Ensemble's original work to a national audience.
THE OPPONENT marks the third production originally produced by A Red Orchid Theatre charting a path to New York City. Tracy Lett's Bug, and
Craig Wright's Mistakes Were Made, both starring A Red Orchid Theatre company member
Michael Shannon, had their world premieres in Chicago, and subsequently had successful New York runs at the
Barrow Street Theatre.
The design team for THE OPPONENT includes
Joey Wade (set designer),
Myron Elliott (costume designer),
Mike Durst (lighting designer),
Joe Court (sound designer), and Toni Kendrick (prop designer). The fight director is
John Tovar and the boxing trainer is Al Ortiz. Kate DeVore is the dialect coach.
