Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Welcomes the North American Premiere of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

The Shawshank Redemption will make its north American stage debut at the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre April 4-21. This famed classic, adapted for the stage by Owen O'Neill & Dave Johns and directed by Bob Paisley, will be staged at the historic Warwick Theatre. Please visit www.metKC.org or call 816.569.3226 for more information.

Based on the novella by Stephen King, this adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption harkens to the 1994 critically acclaimed film, bringing audiences to the edge of their seats. Andy Dufresne is convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover and sentenced to life imprisonment at Shawshank prison. While at Shawshank, Andy befriends some of the other inmates, namely a character known only as Red. Over time Andy finds a way to live out life with as much relative ease as one can find in prison, leaving a message for all that while the body may be locked away in a cell, the spirit can never be truly imprisoned.

After a nationwide search and casting process the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre has assembled a diverse mix of local and national talent featuring several actors making their MET debut. The cast includes Keenan Ramos (Red), Chris Roady (Andy Dufrense), S.E. Perry (Stammas, MET debut), Tim Ahlenius (Hadley), Nick Hazel (Entwistle, MET debut), Chad Burris (Bogs), Chris Preyer (Rooster), Dan Daly (Pinky, MET debut), Andrew Parades (Rico, MET debut), Kevin Fewell (Brooksie), and Evan Lovelace (Tommy, MET debut). The MET's production will be directed by Bob Paisley who was last seen in It's a Wonderful Life and directed The Odd Couple last fall, both at the MET. L.A. based actor S.E. Perry will be making his MET debut. Perry has worked on stage, in television, and in film for many years and has been seen in Brooklyn Nine Nine, NCIS: LA, CSI, The West Wing, and General Hospital. His stage credits include Godly Creatures (Circle Rep), True West (EST), The Day Ends Early (The Actors Studio), A Few Good Men (Third Stage), and Fool For Love (The Complex).

Playwrights Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns are known across the pond for their adaptations of classic films into stage productions. Before Shawshank they appeared in 12 Angry Men and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. After this success, they turned their efforts to adapting another cinematic masterpieces, Stephen King's The Shawshank Redemption. Originally staged in Ireland, the hit production featured a 22-member cast and was transferred to the West End in London. A few years later the playwrights slimmed down the cast and mounted a touring production in western Europe. Stephen King himself has been a part of each draft of the play and given his support to both versions. Playwright Owen O'Neill will be here for the debut week at the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre.

Tickets start at $15 and are available online at www.metkc.org/onstage or by phone at 816.569.3226. Premium seating is available.

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