Urban Stages Welcomes 'Oxford Roof Climbers'; Opens 10/18

Urban Stages is pleased to announce the American Premiere of The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion, the first production of their 2007/2008 season.  The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion is a play written by Stephen Massicotte and will be directed by Roger Danforth. Performances will be at 259 West 30th Street (between 7th and 8th).  Previews will begin on Saturday, October 13 with the opening date scheduled for Thursday, October 18 and will run through Sunday, November 18.  Press is invited beginning on Wednesday, October 17.

"Two heroes return home from the First World War. Lawrence of Arabia is a leader without an army. Robert Graves is a poet who can't forget. Suffering the aftermath of war and foreseeing the dawning of new ones, the Oxford Roof Climber's, the Benevolent Order of, lays siege to a sleepy university town.  A stand against stands, a dare to end all daring, a doing that protests all doings; the two haunted men - armed with a talent for practical jokes - grasp at love and dare to imagine a new world.  The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion, despite its harmless beginnings, brings the Arab Revolt dangerously close to the heart of the Empire," explain press notes.

Stephen Massicotte's The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion received the 2007 Canadian Author's Association award for Best English-Language Play For Adults.  His play Mary's Wedding was recently produced at the Westport Country Playhouse and received raves from the New York Times and Variety.  His other award winning plays include A Farewell to Kings, Pervert, The Emperor of Atlantis and the popular "Star Wars" inspired Boy's Own Jedi Handbook.

The cast of The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion will include Dylan Chalfy (Ah, Wilderness! and The Rose Tattoo on Broadway:), Stafford Clark-Price (Denver Center Theater, Geva Theatre), Erin Moon (The Acting Company, Ford's Theatre), George Morfogen (Royal Theater, the HBO hit "Oz"), and Tom Cleary (Greenwich Street Theatre, Hudson Theatre Guild).

Roger Danforth's New York directing credits include productions and workshops for EST, the New York Shakespeare Festival, Mint Theatre, Keen Company, Blue Heron Theatre, and his revival of Galt MacDermot's musical The Human Comedy for the York Theatre Company. He has served on the artistic staffs of Manhattan Ensemble Theater and the WPA Theatre.  Most recently, he directed the premiere of David Van Vleck's Four Beers (with Robert LuPone and Lee Wilkof) and All My Sons for Two River Theatre, selected as "One of the 10 Best Productions of 2006" by the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

The creative team for The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion includes Roman Tatarowicz (set), David Toser (costume), Josh Bradford (lighting), Daniel Baker and David Thomas (sound) and Alex Koch (projections).

The schedule for The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion will be Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8PM, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3PM. Special performances on Sunday, October 14 at 7PM and Tuesday, October 16 at 8PM. No matinee on Saturday, October 20.

Tickets will be $20 for previews (October 13 – 17) and $40 beginning on October 18. All Wednesday performances will be specially priced at $20.  Tickets may be purchased by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444, or online at www.urbanstages.org.