Ensemble Studio Theatre Extends HEADSTRONG Through 5/27

The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Project for New Plays on Science and Technology has extended by two weeks its play that tackles Post-Concussion Syndrome, the world premiere Headstrong by 27-year-old playwright Patrick Link.

Headstrong, directed by Ensemble Studio Theatre Artistic Director William Carden, opened April 30 and will now run through Sunday, May 27, at The Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

Headstrong is the story of a long-retired NFL linebacker who played with the greats and tackled them to the ground. When his son-in-law, a Pro Bowler himself, dies under strange circumstances, he and his widowed daughter struggle with their own culpability, and whether the brain trauma he suffered in life was the price of football greatness.

Headstrong features Ron Canada, Tim Cain, Alexander Gemignani and Nedra McClyde. Sets are by Jason Simms, lighting by Chris Dallos, sound by Jannie Bullard, video by David Tennent and costumes by SuzAnne Chesney.

Mr. Link's play is inspired by the ongoing struggles of professional athletes with head-related injuries, including, among others, Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, who suffered from amnesia, dementia and depression before his death at the age of 50; and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Andre Waters, who sustained numerous concussions as a player before committing suicide at age 44.

"If you’re an NFL player," Mr. Link says, "what do you do when the one thing you’re qualified to do­that can generate income for your family, the thing you’ve loved your whole life, that you feel you are designed to do ­might destroy your brain?"

Performances of Headstrong are Wednesday through Monday at 7:00pm, matinees Saturdays at 2:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm  NOW THROUGH MAY 27. Tickets are $30, $20 for student/seniors. To order tickets call 866.811.4111 or clickwww.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134.

To post a comment, you must register and login.