Paul Cameron Hardy's Sold-Out MOPE Extends at Ensemble Studio Theatre

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST), along with EST's YOUNGBLOOD, whose past plays include the Tony Award-nominated Hand to God, have announced a two-week extension for the sold-out run of MOPE. Written by Paul Cameron Hardy (feeling) and directed by RJ Tolan (Five Times in One Night), MOPE officially opened at EST's Studio Theatre (545 W. 52nd Street, 6th Floor) on Saturday, January 14, 2017 for a limited run now through Sunday, February 19.

"MOPE": /m?p/ (noun): The lowest-level male performer in the adult film industry. An anonymous stunt-penis. The guy in that porno you watched who was wearing sunglasses and socks. A dreamer. Example: "Trevor is a mope."

The cast features J.Stephen Brantley (Pirira), RJ Brown ("The Carrie Diaries"), Hollye Hudson (Restrain Yourself, Please), Eric Miller (rogerandtom), Jennifer Tsay (The Mysteries), and Megan Tusing (Year of the Rooster).

Tickets are $30 and are on sale now at www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org or by calling 866-811-4111. The performance schedule through February 4 is as follows: Monday at 7pm, Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 7pm and 10:30pm. Exceptions: There will be no 10:30pm performance on Saturday, February 4. The performance schedule February 5 through February 19 is as follows: Tuesday through Saturday at 7pm, Saturday at 10:30pm, Sunday at 5pm.

Ensemble Studio Theatre - commonly known as EST- was founded in 1968 by Curt Dempster on the belief that extraordinary support yields extraordinary work. We are a dynamic and expanding family of member artists committed to the discovery and nurturing of new voices and the continued support and growth of artists throughout their creative lives. Through our unique collaborative process we develop and produce original, provocative, and authentic new plays that engage and challenge our audience and audiences across the country.

Now with over 600 ensemble artists, EST has been under the artistic direction of William Carden since 2007. The company received two 2013 Drama Desk Award nominations for Finks by Joe Gilford and one 2014 Drama Desk nomination for Bobby Moreno in Year Of The Rooster by Olivia Dufault, who won the 2014 NY Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for a new playwright debut. Hand To God, originated at EST, was nominated for five Tony Awards for its Broadway run. EST received a special Drama Desk Award for its "unwavering commitment to producing new works" in May of 2015.

Youngblood is Ensemble Studio Theatre's OBIE-winning collective of emerging professional playwrights under the age of 30. Founded in 1993, Youngblood serves as a creative home for the next generation of theater artists. Youngblood provides artistic guidance, peer support, regular feedback and a fertile production environment, which allows our member playwrights to hone their skills and explore their craft. We also provide exposure to the public and the press, professional outreach to the industry, and opportunities for production and publication.

Plays by current and former Youngblood playwrights have been performed on Broadway and in London's West End (Robert Askins' TONY-nominated Hand to God, which premiered at EST/Youngblood), at The Royal Court Theatre, Lincoln Center, Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Mark Taper Forum, the Vineyard Theater, the Atlantic Theater Company, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and many others, including award winners such as Annie Baker's John, The Flick and The Aliens and Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles, and have been adapted by film and television companies, including alumna Lucy Alibar's Juicy and Delicious which was adapted into the Cannes Caméra d'Or-winning film Beasts of The Southern Wild.

Photo Credit: Jody Christopherson

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