'Footsteps' Opens Sept. 7 at Hayworth

The world premiere of Roger Rodd's original stage production, Footsteps, will debut at The Hayworth Theater, opening Friday, September 7, at 8 p.m. The show will have a preview, Thursday, Sept. 6 and will run until October 14th.

In Footsteps, adapted for the stage from an original screenplay written by Roger Rodd, Mr. Rodd stars in a one-man play inspired by his lifelong dream of becoming a professional football player. In a touching, funny and often heartbreaking tale, Rodd finds himself caught in a strange time warp shortly after being cut from the pro team tryouts, transcending to a place where he finally gets the chance to live out his dream.

Footsteps presents the timeless, universal dilemma often faced by people who are pressed to give up on their dream. In Rodd's case, he must choose between the big, yet unattainable dream of his childhood, making the "big leagues," or of settling down with his beautiful sweetheart instead.

"I was fortunate enough to have seen Roger perform his show Footsteps last year during a workshop," says Rodd's close friend and mentor Chazz Palminteri ("A Bronx Tale," "The Usual Suspects.") "To put it simply, he blew my socks off! The story about Roger's lifelong pursuit of playing pro football is extremely funny and entertaining. But Footsteps also conveys a poignant sense of heartache when we learn that his dreams of playing pro ball would never be fulfilled.  I wish him the best of luck with the show's world premiere."

In addition to his role as actor/writer on Footsteps, Rodd has also made a distinct name for himself as a "white stand-up comic" performing before cheering crowds in primarily black nightclubs. His success has led to appearances on Showtime's comedy special "White Boyz in the Hood," P. Diddy's "Bad Boys of Comedy," and several appearances on BET's "Comicview."

A versatile actor, writer and stand-up comic, Rodd has also appeared in many feature films, co-starring opposite Brandon Routh in "Behind The Plank" and playing lead roles in films such as "Payback" and "Chance."  In addition, he has appeared in many soap operas, including "The Young and the Restless" and "General Hospital," as well as commercials.  Rodd's colorful life includes past stints as a policeman, lifeguard, and even a professional poker player, which he successfully parlayed into a side career as a highly sought-after top notch poker instructor to many Hollywood notables.

Footsteps, directed by the award-winning Michael Kearns and produced by Racquel Lehrman, plays Thursdays – Sundays at The Hayworth, Sept. 6 – October 14, at 8 p.m.  All tickets are $25, except preview night, Thurs., Sept. 6, $15, and are available at The Hayworth box office or online at www.plays411.com/Footsteps, Tel. 323.960.5772.  The Hayworth Theater, 2509 Wilshire Blvd. , Los Angeles , CA 90057 (2 blocks east of Rampart).

For more information on Roger Rodd and Footsteps, please visit www.myspace.com/footsteps11 or www.myspace.com/RogerRodd.

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