Oscar Wilde's Rarely-Told THE YOUNG KING Makes U.S. Premiere Today at The New Victory

Prepare for the coronation of the Young King! The achingly beautiful and tender language of Oscar Wilde joins the intricate and magical world of internationally-acclaimed Slingsby theater company when The New Victory Theater is transformed from entry to exit for this enchanting and epic story.

The Young King makes its U.S. Premiere at The New Victory from tonight, October 13, through October 22, 2017 before an 18-week engagement at the Sydney Opera House and a national Australian tour.

Slingsby uses traditional storytelling, unique and interactive stagecraft, puppetry and live music to immerse audiences in the otherworldly kingdom of Oscar Wilde's The Young King. Guided by courtiers of the realm, audiences will make coronation hats and find their rightful places as the Gritty Prospectors of the West, Gruff Forest-Folk of the East, Rough Fisher-Folk of the North or Industrious Denizens of the South. As two actors and one musician bring to life a tale of challenging choices and rich rewards, audiences will greet the heir apparent, explore on foot the riches of the land and discover the path to the Young King's coronation.

"We were initially drawn to the tale because it inspires conversations about hope, loss, death and new beginnings," says Slingsby Artistic Director, Andy Packer, about directing this show. "Award-winning playwright Nicki Bloom maintains much of Wilde's language, but transforms it into a theatrical retelling so that we can elevate the story's challenging questions about right and wrong, forging your own path and finding the strength to stand your ground."

This year's International Performing Arts for Youth Showcase Victor Award (People's Choice) winner, The Young King is based on the short story by influential author and playwright Oscar Wilde (A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, The Importance of Being Earnest). About a naive boy raised by goatherds who is discovered to be the heir of an entire kingdom, it was first published in 1891 as part of the anthology A House of Pomegranates, Wilde's collection of fairy tales, which also includes "The Birthday of the Infanta," "The Fisherman and his Soul" and "The Star-Child." Adapted for the stage by Ms. Bloom (Belvoir St Downstairs, Griffin Theater Company), Slingsby's The Young King was a 2016 Helpmann Award Nominee for Best Presentation for Children.

No stranger to the New Vic, Slingsby (The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy, 2011) is based in Adelaide, South Australia. Their productions are crafted to inspire family audiences, both young and old. Founded in 2007, they have toured to 70 venues in 40 cities across ten countries.

The Young King is adapted for the stage by Nicki Bloom. The cast includes Tim Overton and Jacqy Phillips. The creative team includes Andy Packer (Director), Wendy Todd (Set Designer), Geoff Cobham (Lighting Designer), QuinCy Grant (Composer/Musician), Roland Partis (Production Manager), Mark Oakley (Technical Operator), Andy Ellis (Graphic Designer), Hannah McCarthy-Oliver (Education Advisor) and Stacey Baldwin (General Manager and Producer).

Learn more about The Young King on the New Victory website.

Public Performance Schedule: 12 performances

Friday, October 13 at 7pm

Saturday, October 14 at 11am / 3pm / 7pm

Sunday, October 15 at 11am / 3pm

Friday, October 20 at 7pm*

Saturday, October 21 at 11am / 3pm / 7pm

Sunday, October 22 at 11am / 3pm

*sign-interpreted performance

The Young King has a running time of 80 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Note: The Young King involves exploring the theater before finding a seat onstage or on the Orchestra level. Mezzanine and Balcony seating are not available.

Tickets for The Young King start at $28.Tickets are available online (NewVictory.org) and by phone (646.223.3010). Through October 8, the box office window will be at the New 42nd Street Studios (229 West 42nd Street), a half block west of The New Victory; visit www.newvictory.org/boxoffice for operating hours. Beginning October 9, The New Victory Theater regular box office window at 209 West 42nd Street will be open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.

The New Victory Theater brings kids to the arts and the arts to kids. Created in 1995 on iconic 42nd Street, this nonprofit theater has become a standard-bearer of quality performing arts for young audiences in the United States. Reflecting and serving the diverse city it calls home, The New Victory is committed to arts access for all students, teachers, kids, families and communities of New York to experience and engage with the exemplary international programming of theater, dance, circus, puppetry and more on its stages. A leader in arts education, youth employment and audience engagement, The New Victory Theater has been honored by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities with the 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, by Americans for the Arts with a National Arts Education Award, and by the Drama Desk for "providing enchanting, sophisticated children's theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people."

Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street is an independent nonprofit organization charged with the continuous cultural revival of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, building on the foundation of seven historic theaters to make extraordinary performing arts and cultural engagement part of everyone's life. The New 42nd Street fulfills this purpose by ensuring the ongoing vibrancy of 42nd Street's historic theaters; supporting performing artists in the creation of their work at the New 42nd Street Studios and The Duke on 42nd Street; creating arts access and education at The New Victory Theater, New York's premier theater for kids and families; and through the New 42nd Street Youth Corps, its model youth development initiative, which pairs life skills workshops and mentorship with paid employment in the arts for NYC youth. Inspired by the city it serves, The New 42nd Street is committed to the transformational power of the arts.

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