New Repertory Theatre Presents Robert Brustein's THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE, 2/7-3/1

New Repertory Theatre announces THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE, FEBRUARY 7-MARCH 1, 2015 in the Charles Mosesian Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. Tickets are $30-$60 and may be purchased by calling the New Rep Box Office at 617-923-8487 or visiting newrep.org. Student, senior, and group discounts are available.

THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE was formerly titled KING OF THE SCHNORRERS.

The press opening will be Monday, February 9 at 7:30pm.

"To host a creative team as accomplished as we have working on THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE is absolutely thrilling," says Artistic Director, Jim Petosa. "Robert Brustein and Hankus Netsky have written a wonderfully witty and lyrical new play that will certainly delight our audiences. The recent title change from KING OF THE SCHNORRERS to THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE is proof that what we have here is a living and breathing new work being carefully crafted, and helmed masterfully by its creators."

"Too many people were confused about the title," explains playwright and lyricist, Robert Brustein. "Though it is clarified in the play, I decided to change it to something less bewildering. I thought that THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE grounded the play more in its adapted modern period than Zangwill's 19th century London."

"New Rep's commitment to new work is a critical part of our mission," says Managing Director, Harriet Sheets. "THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE will enjoy a world premiere production after several years of development by collaborators Robert Brustein and Hankus Netsky. With a cast of New Rep and Boston area favorites, this fun and funny production is a perfect addition to our 30th anniversary season."

About THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE

Based on a famous Israel Zangwill story, Robert Brustein's THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE is a new musical with a lively klezmer score by composer Hankus Netsky. This world premiere comedy features a Romeo and Juliet love story set against the background of antagonistic Jewish sects in the Lower East Side of 1960s Manhattan. A wily Sephardic actor named Da Costa, now down on his luck, dupes Joseph E. Lapidus, a wealthy Hollywood producer, out of his clothes, money, groceries, and self-respect. All the while his lovely daughter Dolores is courted by one of her father's lowly beggar companions, Schmuelly, and the ill-mannered Joseph E. Lapidus, Jr. THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE is a hilarious sequence of con-games, swindlings, and the search for true love.

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