THE GOOD COUNSELOR Receives DC Metro Area Premiere

Digging for truth frequently returns results that are unpleasant, at best. However, fate, curiosity, and circumstance often compel the deepest parts of human nature to keep searching for truth regardless of the consequences, personal or otherwise. This exploration for truth, both in the courtroom and in life, drives the award winning The Good Counselor opening at 1st Stage on June 5.

Winner of the Premiere Stages Play Festival and the Jerry Kaufman Award in Playwriting, The Good Counselor receives its DC Metro area premiere. A young mother, Evelyn Laverty has been charged with murdering her three-week-old son. Her assigned public defender, Vincent, finds that his search for truth in Evelyn's case brings about more than he bargained for, with consequences that seep into his own life and challenge the core of his own familial relationships. The play takes a hard and difficult look at motherhood, the choices mothers are often forced to face, and the repercussions of those choices on their children and communities. What do mothers do when their children need more than they have to give? How is it that the system still fails both mothers and children in 21st Century America and what can society do to right the wrongs that lead to struggle and neglect? Both riveting and poetic in the same breath, The Good Counselor explores human failing, redemption, and forgiveness (both inward and outward), and the personal choices that lead to renewal and hope for a more peaceful future.

The 1st Stage production of The Good Counselor features Manu Kumasi as public defense attorney Vincent Heffernon, Bueka Uwermedimo as Ray Heffernon, Deidra LaWan Starnes as Rita Heffernon, Dani Stoller as young mother Evelyn Laverty, and Alina Collins Moldonato as Maia Aruna. 1st Stage's new Artistic Director Alex Levy directs the production.

The design team includes: scenic and costume design by Kathryn Kawecki, lighting design by Robbie Hayes, sound design by Rachel Barlaam. The production is stage managed by Jessica Short.

The Good Counselor will run at 1st Stage from June 5- 28 with show times as follows: Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm. General admission tickets are $28. Senior (65+) tickets are $23. Student and military tickets are $15. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.1ststagetysons.org or by calling the 1st Stage box office at 703-854-1856.

The run time is approximately 2 hours including one 15- minute intermission.

Editors: Press performances are Saturday, June 6 at 8pm and Sunday, June 7, at 2pm or 7pm. Please email the box office at boxoffice@1ststagetysons.org for reservations.

The Good Counselor is the final of five productions in 1st Stage's seventh season. More information on 1st Stage's eighth season coming soon.

For more information, visit 1st Stage online at www.1ststagetysons.org or follow the theater on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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