THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN Begins Previews on Broadway Tonight

After every preview performance of the new critically acclaimed American play The Velocity of Autumn, from tonight, April 1, through Sunday, April 20, audience members will be invited to stay for a complimentary post-show "Inside Velocity" talkback, featuring different members of the cast and creative team, at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45 Street).

These 23 special talkbacks will feature post-show conversations and behind-the-scenes discussions for theatre lovers and anyone interested in the creation and mounting of a new Broadway play. "Inside Velocity" talkbacks will cover areas such as the writing, designing, directing, performing, producing, casting, advertising and marketing of a new Broadway play. The revolving list of "Inside Velocity" talkback speakers includes actors Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella, playwright Eric Coble, director Molly Smith, producers Larry Kaye and Van Dean, members of The Velocity of Autumn design team, technical crew, advertising and marketing teams, and special guest speakers who will be announced at a later date. All talkbacks are complimentary with purchase of The Velocity of Autumn ticket.

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN begins previews tonight, April 1, 2014, at Broadway's Booth Theatre for a limited engagement, following a sold-out, critically acclaimed run at Washington DC's Arena Stage (Edgar Dobie, Executive Producer) in the fall of 2013. The Velocity of Autumn is a 90-minute powder keg dark comedy by Eric Coble that stars Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons (Bonnie and Clyde, "Roseanne") and two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella (Angels in America, Lincoln, "24"), is directed by Molly Smith and will open Monday, April 21, 2014. The Velocity of Autumn will mark the Broadway debuts of playwright Eric Coble and director Molly Smith.

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN swirls around Alexandra, a 79-year-old artist in a showdown with her family over her desire to continue living independently. In Alexandra's corner are her wit, her volcanic passion and the fact that she's barricaded herself in her Brooklyn brownstone with 100 Molotov cocktails -- enough to take out the whole block! But her children have their own secret weapon: estranged son Chris who returns after 20 years, climbs a tree, crawls through Alexandra's second floor window, and becomes the family's unlikely mediator. No sooner are the words "Hi, Mom" uttered than the emotional bombs start detonating. The Velocity of Autumn, written by Eric Coble and directed by Molly Smith, is a wickedly funny and wonderfully touching story about family and independence.

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN has scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Rui Rita, sound design by Darron L. West, wig design by Paul Huntley, and casting by Geoff Josselson. The Velocity of Autumn is produced by Larry Kaye & HOP Theatricals; Van Dean & The Broadway Consortium; Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino; Michael J. Moritz, Jr.; Rob Hinderliter & Dominick LaRuffa, Jr.; and KIRN Productions, in association with Neal Rubinstein; Franklin Theatrical & James Valletti/Jonathan Demar; and James Simon & Stephen Ganns. Associate producers are Joan Rosenberg/John & Michelle Schaap; Craig J. Horsley/Michael Rubenstein; and Lauren Class Schneider.

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN had its world premiere at Boise Contemporary Theatre in Idaho in April 2011, and played to sold-out audiences at Cleveland's Beck Center for the Arts in Ohio in April 2012. The Arena Stage production of The Velocity of Autumn, directed by Molly Smith, starred Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella and ran from September 6 through October 20, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater. A pioneer not-for-profit resident theater in its 64th Season, Arena Stage is a national center dedicated to American theater.