Playhouse on Park Challenges Audiences with DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, Now thru 11/16

Playhouse on Park opened the 2014/2015 On The Edge series with John Patrick Shanley's provocative work Danny and the Deep Blue Sea directed by Sean Harris last night, November 6, at 7:30 p.m.

Set at a rundown bar in the Bronx, the brooding and easily angered Danny (Jonathan Gregg) crosses paths with fellow social outcast Roberta (Erin Lindsey Krom) after a beer-induced exchange of expletives. As reservations fade, weaknesses are exposed, and the two spend the night together. Nonetheless, fellow truck drivers refer to the emotionally callous Danny as "the animal", while the divorced Roberta suffers the repercussions of childhood sexual abuse at the hand of her father, and now has a troubled teen son of her own in her parents' custody. If Danny and Roberta can find resolve in their respectively haunted pasts, this could be the first genuine and meaningful relationship for either character. Shanley invites audiences to navigate the often-painful act of forgiveness and redeeming qualities of love through his characters' introspection. Danny and the Deep Blue Sea will be playing from November 6-16, 2014.

Sean Harris is co-founder and co-artistic director of Playhouse on Park. Most recently, Harris brought Tony Kushner's Angels In America to the stage with rave reviews. Jonathan Gregg is making his debut at Playhouse on Park. ast work includes Hartford Stage, NYC:Feather (NYMF), The Full Monty (ReVision Theatre), and television's "Scorned" (DiscoveryID). Erin Krom (Roberta) has previously performed at Playhouse on Park as Sally Bowles (CABARET). Krom's other credits include Pittsburgh REP (OF MICE AND MEN, THE VISIT), Pittsburgh Public Theatre (OUR TOWN), and New York Musical Theatre Festival (MY ILLUSTRIOUS WASTELAND).

Show dates include Fridays and Saturdays, tonight, November 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8:00 p.m., Sundays, November 9 and 16 at 7:00 p.m., and Thursdays, November 6 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 16 and up. Contains strong language, scenes of violence, and brief nudity. Tickets are priced at $20 for children, seniors, and Let's GO Arts! members and $22.50 for adults, all seats reserved. For more information, go to the Playhouse on Park website (www.playhouseonpark.org), call by phone (860-523-5900 x10), or stop by the box office (244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT).

Pictured: Jonathan Gregg sets out to exonerate past failures for a hopeful future in DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.