BWW Previews: Playwright Richard Strand and THE REALIZATION OF EMILY LINDER at NJ Rep

Richard Strand's new play, The Realization of Emily Linder will have its World Premiere at New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) from April 23rd through May 24th. Directed by the theatre's Artistic Director, SuzAnne Barabas, the play stars Marnie Andrews, Dana Benningfield, Corey Tazmania and Jenny Vallancourt.

In this comedic-drama, Emily is an eccentric retired university professor who has come to the "realization" that she knows the exact day she will pass away. She gathers her two daughters to her side to inform them of her eminent demise and to give each explicit instructions and assignments to fulfill prior to her earthly departure.

Richard Strand also wrote Butler, which had it World Premiere on the NJ Rep stage in the June of 2014. Butler was a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award and it was recently nominated for the prestigious Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. Out of a total of 27 nominees, Butler was among the 6 finalists.

Richard Strand wrote his first play in 1976, a one act entitled Harry and Sylvia. It won national awards, was published by Hunter Press and a full-length version of that same play, entitled Clown, premiered at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. Since that time he has had premieres at GeVa Theatre in Rochester, New York, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, The Cricket Theatre in Minneapolis, Rivendell Theatre in Chicago, The Z Collective in San Francisco and a number of other venues. Two of his plays, The Bug and The Death of Zukasky, premiered at The Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The Bug has been translated into German, Italian, Greek, French and Spanish and continues to be performed in the United States and in Europe.

Ten Percent of Molly Snyder, My Simple City and The Second-Story Man were written in Iowa City, Iowa where Mr. Strand was a member of the University of Iowa Playwright's Workshop. Mr. Strand currently lives in California with his wife, Mary Lynn. He is the chairman of the theater department, technical director and resident set designer at Mt. San Antonio College where he teaches History of Theater and Playwriting. His plays are published by Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service and Applause Books.

The Realization of Emily Linder will be on limited engagement at the New Jersey Repertory Company from April 23rd through May 24th. The theatre is located at 179 Broadway, Long Branch 08840. To purchase tickets, call (732) 229-3166 or visit www.njrep.org.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Richard Strand