1st Stage Presents World Premiere of NOW COMES THE NIGHT, Opening Tonight

How will the world respond when a popular local journalist returns from captivity in the Middle East and doesn't do or say what the public expects? What do we expect from the heroes returning from war? In this beautiful new play by award-winning playwright E.M. Lewis, the characters explore the uncharted territory of picking up the pieces after a captive returns home. When the hope and celebration fostered by that return subside, what is left of the relationships and livelihoods that are now so permanently altered? Michael Après faces these questions as he acclimates to the newness of his old life following the horrific conditions to which he was subject for 18 months. He is a changed man, but he may have one last opportunity to be a hero. Can he take it? Lewis' captivating new play, opening at 1st Stage tonight, September 19, challenges the perception of what it means to be a hero through characters that struggle to find forgiveness, strength, and renewal while flirting with the boundary between life and death. Now Comes the Night is 1st Stage's exciting contribution to the 2015 Women's Voices Theater Festival.

The 1st Stage production of Now Comes the Night features Dylan Myers as American journalist Michael Après, Jaysen Wright as local news anchor Brad Flanigan, and Sun King Davis as photojournalist Jack Velazquez. 1st Stage's Artistic Director Alex Levy directs the production.

The design team includes: scenic and costume design by Kathryn Kawecki, lighting design by G. Ryan Smith, and sound design by Rachel Barlaam. The production is stage managed by Laurel VanLandingham.

Now Comes the Night will run at 1st Stage from September 17-October 11 with showtimes as follows: Thursday at 7pm (first weekend only), Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm. There will be no 7pm performance on Sunday, September 20, 2015.

General admission tickets are $30. Senior (65+) tickets are $26. Student and military tickets are $15. Subscriptions and Flex Passes are available for savings of up to 30% off regular price tickets. Tickets, Subscriptions, and Flex Passes can be purchased online at www.1ststagetysons.org or by calling the 1st Stage box office at 703-854-1856.

The run time is approximately 2 hours including one 15- minute intermission.

Editors: Press performances are Saturday, September 19 at 8pm and Sunday, September 20, at 2pm. Please email the box office at boxoffice@1ststagetysons.org for reservations.

Now Comes the Night is the first play in 1st Stage's eighth season and is a participating production in the Women's Voices Theater Festival of 2015. Following Now Comes the Night will be Harvey by Mary Chase, Directed by Michael Chamberlin (November 12-December 20), When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell, Directed by Michael Dove (February 4-28), Proof by David Auburn, Directed by Alex Levy (March 31-May 1), and Floyd Collins by Tina Landau, Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel, Additional Lyrics by Tina Landau, Directed by Nick Olcott (June 2-26).

For more information, visit 1st Stage online at www.1ststagetysons.org or follow the theater on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.