Azuka Theatre Presents MOON CAVE, Now thru 3/22

Azuka Theatre's mission is to give voice to the people whose stories go unheard; the outcasts and underdogs. The company's latest work showcases that mission in a dark and ultimately beautiful world premiere by a rising local talent. Douglas Williams' latest work, Moon Cave, debuts tonight, March 4-22 at the Off Broad Street Theatre, 1636 Sansom Street. Opening night is Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $15-$25. Tickets are available online at www.azukatheatre.org or by phone at (215) 563-1100.

Terrified that someone will recognize him from a childhood trauma that made national news, Richard spends his life in hiding. That all changes when he meets Rachel and starts letting down his guard. Richard must tell Rachel the secrets he's been hiding, but will she still love him when she knows the truth? And if Rachel knows, how soon before others discover the things he would rather hide? Moon Cave is a nuanced look at notoriety, responsibility, living with mistakes, and shines light on the moments we reach out for human contact.

This new work was developed at the 2014 PlayPenn New Play Conference. Kevin Glaccum, Azuka Theatre's Producing Artistic Director, directs. Kevin Meehan plays Richard and Tashya Canales plays Rachel. Meehan recently appeared in Beauty and the Beast at Arden Theatre Company. Canales appeared last fall in the Arden's La Bete.

"I loved the idea of Moon Cave before Doug had written a line of dialogue," says Glaccum. "I was fascinated by the thought of how a life is lived after the spotlight is turned off, especially when the event involved a child. What kind of person results when one's childhood is marked in such a violent way? That was the untold story I wanted to hear."

Colin McIlvain is the Scenic Designer. Joseph Glodek designed the lighting. The Costume Designer is Katherine Fritz. Nick Kortides is the Sound Designer. Sally Ollove is the Dramturg. Lauren Tracy is the Stage Manager and Mike Troncone is the Production Manager.

Douglas Williams is the Playwright-in-Residence at Azuka. His other works include: The Death and Life of Uncle Gene, Now I Am A Wrecking Ball and Shitheads, which was a finalist for the Lark's 2014 Playwrights' Week and a semifinalist at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's National Playwrights Conference. Williams is a member of Orbiter 3, a playwrights producing collective, and is also a member of The Foundry, a lab for early-career playwrights led by Michael Hollinger, Jacqueline Goldfinger and Quinn D. Eli. He is a graduate of Temple University.

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