'The Optimist' by Chimonides Opens March 26 with Ground UP

Ground UP Productions presents the World Premiere of the new play The Optimist, by Jason Chimonides and directed by acclaimed director Jace Alexander. Previews of The Optimist begin March 20 prior to an official press opening of March 26 at the Abingdon Theater (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.

"A new play by Jason Chimonides, The Optimist looks at the volatile and surprisingly hilarious clash of passion and genetics when three well-bred, intelligent 20-somethings -- fraternal twin brothers Noel and Declan and Noel's ex-girlfriend Nicole -- encamp at a cheap motel in Tallahassee, Florida on the eve of a friend's funeral, and the marriage of the young men's father to the woman with whom he had a longstanding affair while their mother was still alive.  Sex, mortality and unrequited love lurk throughout the play as the trio anticipates the funeral of their young friend, and the wedding of the father who the young men believe was responsible for their beloved mother's death," describe press notes.

The Optimist features a cast which includes Matt Burns, Caitlin FitzGerald and Chris Thorn. The design team is Travis McHale (Set and Lighting Design); Elisa Richards (Costume Design) and Ron Piretti (Fight Choreographer).

Ground UP Productions - a 3-year-old non-profit theatre company, is fresh off presenting the smash hit musical The People vs. Mona by Jim Wann and Patricia Miller. Other productions include: The Shape of Things, The House of Yes, Proof, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Lobby Hero, Hot Damn Holiday!, Burn This, Jack and Jill and Baby with the Bathwater. Ground UP Productions continues to break ground with the new classics, reviving well-known theatre in unique ways and producing new works destined for greatness.

Scheduled March 20 through April 12, The Optimist performs at the Abingdon Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm (with the following exception - no performance Sunday, March 23 at 2:00pm or Thursday, April 10 at 8:00pm; and an added 2pm performance on Saturday, April 12).

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling TheaterMania at 212-352-3101 or on-line at www.TheaterMania.com. For additional information, please visit www.GroundUPproductions.org.