Two River Theater Presents The World Premiere Of THEO By Martin Moran, Directed By Carolyn Cantor

Over the past decade, Two River Theater has presented the world premieres of 15 original plays and musicals-13 of them since the theater's 2011/12 Season, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst. This winter, Two River continues its 25th Anniversary Season with the commissioned world premiere of Theo, a new play written by Obie Award winner Martin Moran and directed by Carolyn Cantor. Performances will begin in Two River's Marion Huber Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, February 23 and continue through Sunday, March 24. The opening night performance is Friday, March 1 at 7pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. Two River's 2018/19 Season Sponsor is Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center.

As an actor, Martin Moran has appeared on Broadway in many productions including Wicked, Monty Python's Spamalot and Titanic. He was awarded a 2004 Obie Award and two Drama Desk nominations for his play The Tricky Part, based upon his memoir of the same title, and a 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Solo Show for his play All the Rage. He performed The Tricky Part and All the Rage at Two River Theater, in repertory, in 2013/14, after which the theater commissioned him to write Theo, his first play for other actors.

In this five-character play, Moran renders the complexity of living with humor and truth. When a family's matriarch, Margaret, is forced to acknowledge that her health is deteriorating, her son Theodore returns to their Catskills home after many years away. There, he reconnects with Abe, an acquaintance from his youth who is now his mother's home aide, and with his sister Beth, a single mother struggling to understand her teenaged child, Maddy. A warm look at the far-reaching ties of love, this new play is a moving portrait of kinship, faith, and the pursuit of one's true self.

The cast of Theo includes Zachary Booth (Theo), Jesse James Keitel (Maddy), Jon-Michael Reese (Abe), Andrea Syglowski (Beth) and Brenda Wehle (Margaret).

The creative team includes scenic designer Antje Ellermann, costume designer Kristin Isola, lighting designer Yuki Nakase, sound designer Leon Rothenberg, and wig designer Tommy Kurzman. The fight direction is by UnkleDave's Fight-House. The casting is by Heidi Griffiths & Kate Murray and the production stage manager is Nathan K. Claus.

"In all of his writing-and now, in Theo-Martin Moran demonstrates a quest for self-knowledge that takes audiences from pain and anger all the way through forgiveness and redemption," says Artistic Director John Dias. "Telling a story is a brave act, and a generous one; illuminating and cathartic not only for the storyteller, but also for the audience. In Theo, Moran asks how we who are wounded can heal our own trauma, and in doing so bring a sense of grace to ourselves, to those we love, and to the world."

Ticket prices range from $50 to $70, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for every performance; $20 tickets may be partial view. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $20 and include the best available seats at every performance. Tickets are available from tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400.

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