Olney Theatre Center to Present NNPN Rolling World Premiere of COLOSSAL, Now thru 9/28

Olney Theatre Center, a Maryland destination for professional theater performance and education, proudly presents the National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere of Colossal by playwright Andrew Hinderaker today, September 3 - 28, 2014 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. Colossal is a recipient of a 2014 Edgerton Foundation New American Plays award and a winner of The Kennedy Center's Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award.

One play can change your life. Olney Theatre Center's second Rolling World Premiere this year, Colossal is an extraordinary story of emotional and physical endurance, love, and family. Structured like a football game (performed in four quarters with a pre-show training session and half-time show), Colossal tells in vivid, physical flashback the story of Young Mike, a college football player who took a hit in a game to protect his fellow teammate that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Mike now relives the memory of his accident with the help of a live football squad onstage, finally confronting his demons in the play's extremely powerful and uplifting conclusion.

"I firmly believe Colossal will be hailed as one of the country's great new plays this year," said Olney Theatre Center Artistic Director Jason Loewith. "Written for and starring extraordinary performer Michael Patrick Thornton, and directed by Andrew's longtime collaborator Will Davis, Colossal's four-city Rolling World Premiere launches at Olney, and we couldn't be prouder."

Mr. Hinderaker wrote Colossal for actor Michael Patrick Thornton, who himself suffered a spinal stroke in 2003. Mr. Thornton starred in the ABC's Grey's Anatomy spin-off Private Practice, and stars in Olney Theatre Center's production as Mike. Joseph Carlson appears as Young Mike, who local audiences will recognize from his performances at Synetic Theatre and American Century Theatre. They are joined by Jon Hudson Odom, as Marcus. Mr. Odom recently appeared in the Olney Theatre Center production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson as Lymon.

Steve Ochoa, whose Broadway credits include Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Original Cast), Cats (Mistoffelees), and Twelfth Night (Lincoln Center), takes on the role of Mike's father Damon, a legendary modern dance choreographer. We also welcome back Olney Theatre Center veterans James Whalen, who was last seen as Charlie in DA, as Mike's Occupational Therapist Jerry, and KenYatta Rogers, last seen at Olney Theatre Center in Venus, as his Coach. Completing the football squad are Sam Faria, Will Hayes, Jeff Kirkman III, Michael Litchfield, and Matthew Ward.

Director Will Davis is joined by former Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Ballet Christopher D'Amboise as Choreographer and Synetic Theatre's Ben Cunis as Fight and Movement Choreographer. The all-star design team includes Scenic Designer Misha Kachman, Lighting Designer Colin K. Bills, Sound Designer Chris Baine, and Costume Designer Ivania Stack.

Olney Theatre Center is the first location for the Rolling World Premiere of Colossal. Colossal will also be produced at Mixed Blood Theatre (Minneapolis), Dallas Theater Center (Dallas) and Southern Rep (New Orleans) as part of the National New Play Network's Continued Life of New Plays Fund. Colossal is made possible in part by contributions from production sponsors Kevin White and Rossana Salvadori and artist sponsor Patricia Woodbury and FTI Consulting.

COLOSSAL by Andrew Hinderaker Directed by Will Davis today, September 3 - September 28 Press Night: Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 7:45pm Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 7:45pm; matinees on Sunday at 1:45pm; Saturday matinees at 1:45pm on September 13, 20, and 27; and Wednesday matinees on September 10, 17, and 24. There are no evening performances on September 10, 18, and 24. Tickets are $32.50-$65. Discounts available for groups, seniors, military, and students.

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