THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN to Run 5/22-6/14 at Chenango River Theatre

79 year-old Alexandra has pretty much had it with her kids - well, at least two of them. She's a feisty artist, willing to make a stand and she's rigged her second story brownstone in Brooklyn with homemade Molotov cocktails to try and force her kids to recognize that she's still capable of living on her own. She'd rather blow up the whole block than move into some kind of "assisted living facility".

And what about her 3rd kid? Who hasn't been in on the shenanigans? After a 20-year absence, he's been recruited by his brother and sister to try and talk some sense into Mom. Except - how does he get in when she's barricaded herself in and all the entrances are rigged with those Molotov cocktails? And she's walking around with a Zippo in her hands.

The Velocity of Autumn is a humorous, honest and touching look at the often fiery nature of family relations and the fragility of love. The play asks: When is the right time to intervene if an elderly parent no longer appears competent to live alone? How do you deal with it when mother threatens to blow up her building if the police even knock on her door?

Alexandra is a feisty and opinionated soul who would rather die alone from a fall than succumb to a retirement facility or live-in caretaker. Yet she is also a realist who begrudgingly concedes the ravages of time on both mind and body, acknowledging that while her life-long love of art endures, she can no longer hold a paintbrush or explain why she suddenly removed her own proud paintings from the walls.

That's the predicament faced by son Chris, who is forced to figure out how to gain entry just to try and talk to his mother. Like his mother, he's an artist, and unconcerned with the potential windfall from selling the brownstone. As much as they fight, they have an inherent understanding of each other that differs markedly from the other two siblings who are trying to force Alexandra out.

Eric Coble's outstanding play starred Estelle Parsons, who won a Tony in 2014 for Best Actress for her role in this funny, touching and meaningful play.

The Washington Post called it "A vivid poetic expression for all the frustrations of old age...the clash Coble illuminates manages to touch nerves exposed in the many seemingly no-win debates across America over what's best for a relative no longer at her sharpest."

Chenango River Theatre's production stars Suzan Perry and Drew Kahl, two actors long familiar with Binghamton area audiences. Suzan most recently appeared at CRT in the hit comedy Miracle on South Division Street. Drew has performed in each of CRT's 8 seasons - he is well remembered for many roles and audiences still recall his sterling performance in Talley's Folly. Both are professional actors and members of Actors' Equity Association.

Velocity is co-produced by NBT Bank, Esteban Fuertes and Alan Foster, and Pete & Karen Raymond. CRT's entire 2015 season is sponsored by Empire Toyota of Oneonta.

Performances run May 22 - June 14, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at Chenango River Theatre, 991 State Highway 12, Greene NY (15-20 minutes from Binghamton). Opening night features "Restaurant Night" - complimentary food supplied by an area restaurant (in this case, it's Nathanael Greene's Pub). The fastest way to make reservations is by email: tickets@chenangorivertheatre.org.

Individual tickets are $22 Thursday, $23 Friday, $25 Saturday and $23 Sunday. All performances start on time - late seating is not available. This show is performed without intermission. The 24-Hour Reservation Line is 607-656-8499 (TIXX). Tickets may be charged to MasterCard, Visa, AMEX or Discover.

Chenango River Theatre's intimate, air-conditioned 99 seat theatre is just 15 minutes north of Binghamton at 991 State Highway 12, Greene, NY. CRT is the greater Binghamton area's only professional non-profit theatre company under annual contract with Actors' Equity Association, the national association for professional actors and stage managers in the United States - the same actors you see on television, in film and at major theatres across the country.

Chenango River Theatre's 2015 season is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

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