World Premiere of Dean Gray's 'Uncle' Runs Feb. 10-March 4

Blue Heron Theatre will open its 19th season with the world premiere of Dean Gray's drama Uncle, directed by Wayne Maugans. 

The play will begin performances at The ArcLight, 152 West 71st Street (between B'way and Columbus) on February 10 at 2:00 p.m. and will officially open on Monday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m.  Performances will run through March 4.

The play, by the author of Farm Boys, "tells the story of Brent, a young, gay, successful composer, raised in the Upper Midwest and currently residing in Manhattan, who gains the courage to confront his conservative family's beliefs when a secret photograph of a deceased uncle is discovered.  Inspired by a true story, the uncle's hidden past is uncovered just as a new romance has been embarked on.  Uncle interweaves the stories of two generations of one family into a single compelling story," press notes state.

The cast will be headed by Brian Patacca (TV: "All My Children," Off-B'way: Joy, The Donkey Show) as Brent. Joining him will be: Richard Bowden (B'way: Captain Brassbound's Conversion with Ingrid Bergman; Off-B'way: Romulus Linney's Heathen Valley at the Signature); James Heatherly (Off-B'way: When Pigs Fly; Prom Queens Unchained; TV: "All My Children"); Darren Lougée (Off-B'way: Secrets at St. Luke's Theatre); and Nancy McDoniel (Off-B'way: Chaucer in Rome; Grandma Sylvia's Funeral; The Death in the Juniper Grove; Film: United 93; Center Stage; and Dangerous Affairs).

Uncle, received developmental readings at Blue Heron and Manbites Dog, Durham, North Carolina, directed by Joseph Megel. 

The set design will be by Daniel Ettinger, the costume design by Martin T. Lopez, the lighting design by Paul Bartlett and the sound design by David Lawson. The award-winning composer Andrew Rindfleisch's compositions will be used in the sound design. There will also be additional music by Colin Huggins.

The complete schedule (February 10 through March 4) will be: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.  There will be three additional performances: Saturday, February 10 at 2:00 pm; Opening Night, Monday, February 12 at 8:00 pm; and Tuesday, February 27 at 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $20.00 for the public, and $15.00 for students and seniors.  TDF vouchers accepted.  Tickets for all performances are available through SmartTix at 212-868-4444 (or online at www.SmartTix.com).

For more information, visit www.blueheron-nyc.org or www.uncletheplay.com.