'Speech & Debate' Extends Hit-Run thru Feb.24

Roundabout Theatre Company has once-again extended the premiere of Speech & Debate.  The inaugural Black Box Theatre production is now scheduled to play through February 24, 2008.  Speech & Debate opened officially on Monday, October 29.

Speech & Debate, a black comedy by Stephen Karam, directed by Tony Award nominee Jason Moore, is the first production of Roundabout Underground, an exciting new initiative to introduce and cultivate artists in Roundabout's new 62-seat Black Box Theatre, at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street, NYC, NY, 10036).

The cast features Susan Blackwell as "Teacher/Reporter," Jason Fuchs as "Solomon," Gideon Glick as "Howie" and Sarah Steele as "Diwata."

"Even though they go to the same school, misfits Solomon, Diwata and Howie have never met. But when a shocking scandal involving one of their teachers brings them together through an unexpected chain of events, they realize three voices are stronger than one. And since their school has no speech and debate squad, maybe this is their chance to be heard at last – by the school and even the world," explain press notes.

The design team includes Boo Killebrew (Choreographer), Anna Louizos (Sets), Heather Dunbar (Costumes), Justin Townsend (Lighting), and Brett Jarvis (Sound and Projections).

Roundabout Underground is an initiative to showcase new plays that will either allow an experienced director to go back to his/her creative roots or give a debut production to an emerging writer or director.    Robyn Goodman (Artistic Consultant to the Roundabout), who has significant artistic development experience, is curating the initiative that will be a creative breeding ground for nurturing new talent.

The new 62-seat Black Box Theatre, below the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre allows Roundabout to take artistic risks that are better suited for a more intimate space.  

Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundaboutunderground.org or at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre box office (111 West 46 Street).  The ticket price is $50 for all seats. HipTix members can qualify for $20 tickets (visit www.hiptix.com). All tickets for Speech & Debate will be issued as General Admission passes for first-come, first-served seating on the show date.

Speech & Debate plays Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8PM with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30PM and Sunday evenings at 7PM.  Holiday schedules and added performance information is available at www.roundaboutunderground.org