A Red Orchid's THE OPPONENT to Transfer to NYC's 59E59, 7/31-9/7

A Red Orchid Theatre announces that its smash-hit, world premiere production of Ensemble Member Brett Neveu's The Opponent, directed by fellow Ensemble Member Karen Kessler, is transferring to NY's 59E59 Theatre this summer, July 31-September 7, 2014. AROT will produce the remount in association with Bisno Productions (Broadway's Tony Nominated Mothers & Sons; Grace starring Paul Rudd and Michael Shannon). The Opponent will feature Ensemble Members Kamal Angelo Bolden and Guy VanSwearingen in the roles they originated during the production's extended run at A Red Orchid in 2012. This collaboration marks the launch of a new partnership with Bisno Productions, under the Company's extended mission to introduce its original work and ensemble to New York audiences: A RED ORCHID NYC.

Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald states, "With A RED ORCHID NYC we look forward to establishing a national presence, raising our profile through new media outlets, and broadening our artistic network as well as our base of contributed support among new and existing friends on the East Coast. We have partnered with New York-based Bisno Productions (producers of this year's Tony-nominated Mothers and Sons and last year's Broadway hit Grace, starring A Red Orchid Ensemble Member Michael Shannon) and we envision this journey from Chicago to be the first of many."

Accomplished playwright and Ensemble Member Brett Neveu takes a look at the hard-scrabble world of boxing from the perspective of small time Batton Rouge gym owner/trainer Tre and the young up-and-comer Donell. They come from different worlds, they barely understand each other, but in the ring anything is possible. Questions of loyalty and life's dreams are put to the test in this explosive world premiere that promises to pull some punches and fearlessly land the others. The Opponent was originally developed through Center Theatre Group's Writers' Workshop.

This power packed production of The Opponent is a true Ensemble showcase, featuring the work of A Red Orchid Theatre Ensemble Members Brett Neveu, Karen Kessler, Guy Van Swearingen and Kamal Angelo Bolden. The New York Premiere will include the original creative team: John Tovar (fight direction), Joey Wade (set design), Myron Elliot (costume design), Mike Durst (lighting design), Joe Court (sound design).

For more information, visit AREDORCHIDNYC.ORG

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