GOLDEN BOY at Gleason's Gym Fights Parkinson's

StoPD and Shetler Studios present Golden Boy, written by Clifford Odets and directed by Aaron Latham. Staged at Gleason's Gym, the world famous boxing mecca that contributed to inspiring Odets back in 1937, this full scale production will be the first time Golden Boy will be presented in a site-specific setting with original equipment and ring from 1940s-50s. This production is a fundrasing event for two non-profit organizations: The Michael J. Fox Foundation and stoPD (Support and Training to Overcome Parkinson's Disease). This revival of Odets' masterpiece will be directed by Aaron Latham, author of the films Urban Cowboy, The Program and the Broadway musical Urban Cowboy. Mr. Latham has been living with Parkinson's disease for several years. At age 72, this production is his theatrical directorial debut. This unique production will also feature professional actors who are living with Parkinson's in some of the main roles. A tribute to the Parkinson's community and a testament to its strength and potential.

Golden Boy is an American classic that tells the story of a talented musician, Joe Bonaparte, who is torn between the violin and the boxing ring, a modest but happy life versus success and fame. It's the timeless struggle between who we are and what society wants us to be. Odets wrote the play as a deliberate attempt to create a hit. It was his intention to use the profits from the play's production to help support The Group Theatre. Just like Odets, we intend to create a hit, a unique theatre production that will show audiences how strong the Parkinson's community is. The profits will be used to support new programs for people with Parkinson's and Parkinson's research.

The creative team for Golden Boy will include fight choreography by former champion boxer Michael Olajide, Jr. (Film: Ali; Stage: Golden Boy at City Center). The cast will feature Alex Montaldo, Angie Marie Muscat, Ron Shetler, Gregg Prosser, Mia Christo, Angelo Berkowitz *, Richard Borg, Peter Evangelista *, Jon Spano *, Jeffrey Marc Alkins and Phil di Domenico. (*member of Actor's Equity Association).

Golden Boy opens Saturday, October 22nd and runs for four weekend performances through Sunday, October 30th, 2016. Performances will be held Saturday October 22nd, 29th and Sunday 23rd and 30th. There will be two dress rehearsals open to the media on Sunday's October 9th and October 16th. All performances start at 7:30 pm. Gleason's Gym is located at 77 Front Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

Reservations can be made by going to : www.goldenboy16.org Minimum suggested donation is $18.00 per seat. Donations of $100.00 or more per ticket for preferred seating.

Aaron Latham is an American journalist who wrote the article that inspired the movie Urban Cowboy and co-wrote its script with director James Bridges. He also co-wrote the book for the 2003 Broadway musical version. Latham has been a regular contributor to such publications as Rolling Stone, Esquire, Talk, and The New York Times. Latham has written several novels and co-wrote the screenplays Perfect, also with Bridges, another film inspired by his articles, and The Program. Mr. Latham has been living with Parkinson's disease for several years now. This production is his theatrical directorial debut.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. www.michaeljfox.org

stoPD (Support and Training to Overcome Parkinson's disease), founded by neuroscientist Dr. Roberta Marongiu and actor Alex Montaldo, is a bi-coastal non-profit organization, devoted to giving those with Parkinson's disease tools and support to help them achieve a higher quality of life. StoPD provides support, intense exercise, art programs, and education to encourage proactivity and a positive shift in perspective towards the future. www.stop-pd.org

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