Clifford Odets' ROCKET TO THE MOON Will Open Next Month at Theatre at St. Clement's

A rare revival of Rocket to the Moon, the 1938 play by Clifford Odets (Awake and Sing, Golden Boy) will play Theatre at St. Clement's, it was announced today. Directed by Obie and Lucille Lortel Award winner Dan Wackerman (Counsellor-at-Law), Rocket to the Moon will play a limited engagement beginning February 10th at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street). Opening night is Monday, February 23rd.

Robert Dohmen, Tom Smedes Productions and The StoryLine Project, LLC are presenting this production by The Peccadillo Theater Company in association with La Femme Theatre Productions.

Set in New York City during the Great Depression, Rocket to the Moon tells the story of Ben Stark, a middle-aged dentist whose career and loveless marriage are in shambles. A beautiful, ambitious and idealistic assistant, Cleo, walks into Ben's office, and Ben falls in love for the first time in his life. Cleo offers Ben the possibility of a new and happier future, and Ben struggles about whether or not to take a rocket to the moon.

The cast of Rocket to the Moon includes: Ned Eisenberg ("Law and Order: SVU", Awake and Sing), George Morfogen (HBO's "Oz", A Man for All Seasons), Lou Liberatore (Burn This, As Is), Katie McClellan (Fashionistas, Dog Sees God), Marilyn Matarrese (The Bonus Army, "Nurse Jackie"), Larry Bull (The Coast of Utopia) and Michael Keyloun (Drop Dead Perfect).

Dan Wackerman said, "This production comes at a particularly auspicious moment as our country is talking about the very issues at the heart of the play - the squeezing of the middle class and the attendant pressures on relationships of all sorts. This marks the first new look at Rocket to the Moon since the recent Broadway productions of Golden Boy and Awake and Sing sparked a revival of interest in Odets' work."

The original production of Rocket to the Moon, directed by Harold Clurman, one of the founders of The Group Theatre, premiered on Broadway on November 24th, 1938, at the Belasco Theatre and featured Luther Adler, Sanford Meisner, Ruth Nelson, Morris Carnovsky, Leif Erickson and Eleanor Lynn. The play has subsequently had productions all around the world and at The National Theatre in London. Rocket to the Moon was adapted for television by the BBC in 1986, with John Malkovich, Judy Davis, Eli Wallach, William Hootkins and Connie Booth in the lead roles.

Rocket to the Moon has scenic and lighting design by Harry Feiner (A Loss of Roses, Ten Chimneys, The Man Who Came to Dinner), costume design by Amy C. Bradshaw (Counsellor-at-Law, Another Part of the Forest, The Ladies of the Corridor), sound design by David Thomas (Camelot, A Christmas Carol, The Musical) and props by Nelly Reyes (Gloucester Blue).

Rocket to the Moon begins a limited engagement at Theatre at St. Clement's, (423 West 46th Street) on February 10th. Opening night is Monday, February 23rd. Performances are Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $75 with premium seating available. Tickets are available through OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or by visiting OvationTix.com. Visit www.ThePeccadillo.com for additional information.

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