Ryland Blackinton Takes Over Declan In 'The Optimist'

Ryland Blackinton, guitarist for the alternative rock band Cobra Starship, will join the cast of the World-Premiere play THE OPTIMIST - which the New Yorker called a "compelling drama" - for the shows final week of performances (Tuesday, April 8 through Saturday, April 12) at the Abingdon Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Mr. Blackinton will be taking over the role of Declan.

A new play by Jason Chimonides and directed by acclaimed director Jace Alexander, THE OPTIMIST looks at the volatile and surprisingly hilarious clash of passion and genetics when three well-bred, intelligent 20-somethings -- fraternal twin brothers Noel and Declan and Noel's ex-girlfriend Nicole -- encamp at a cheap motel in Tallahassee, Florida on the eve of a friend's funeral, and the marriage of the young men's father to the woman with whom he had a longstanding affair while their mother was still alive.  Sex, mortality and unrequited love lurk throughout the play as the trio anticipates the funeral of their young friend, and the wedding of the father who the young men believe was responsible for their beloved mother's death.

Mr. Blackinton along with his band mates Alex Suarez, Nate Novarro, Elisa Schwartz and Gabe Saporta formed the alternative rock band Cobra Starship in 2005. Cobra Starship - which was recently featured as a guest band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien - is perhaps best know for their song, "Bring It (Snakes on a Plane),"  which was featured on Snakes on a Plane: The Album.

THE OPTIMIST features a cast which includes Matt Burns, Caitlin FitzGerald and now Ryland Blackinton. The design team is Travis McHale (Set and Lighting Design); Elisa Richards (Costume Design) and Ron Piretti (Fight Choreographer).

Ground UP Productions - a 3-year-old non-profit theatre company, is fresh off presenting the smash hit musical THE PEOPLE vs. MONA by Jim Wann and Patricia Miller. The production was hailed as "good natured, down home fun" by the New York Times, "consistently inventive" by the New York Post and a "hootin' good time" by Variety. Other productions include: THE SHAPE OF THINGS, THE HOUSE OF YES, PROOF, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES (NY Revival), LOBBY HERO, HOT DAMN HOLIDAY!, BURN THIS, JACK AND JILL, and BABY WITH THE BATHWATER. Ground UP Productions continues to break ground with the new classics, reviving well-known theatre in unique ways and producing new works destined for greatness.

Scheduled through April 12, THE OPTIMIST performs at the Abingdon Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm (with the following exception - no performance Thursday, April 10 at 8:00pm; and an added 2pm performance on Saturday, April 12). Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling TheaterMania at 212-352-3101 or on-line at www.TheaterMania.com. For additional information, please visit www.GroundUPproductions.org.

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