FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2008

Carlsbad, CA. The award-winning New Village Arts Theatre takes on an American classic with the 1930’s love story GOLDEN BOY by Clifford Odets playing at NVA’s theatrical home at 2787 State Street in Carlsbad Village. Opening June 21^st, 2008 GOLDEN BOY will run through July 13^th with two Pay-What-You-Can Previews on June 19^th and 20^th. Artistic Associate Joshua Everett Johnson will direct the production. Mr. Johnson has been the recipient of a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Acting every year for the past three years, and has been with New Village Arts since 2002. Reservations can be made by calling NVA’s box office at 760/433.3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

The cast of GOLDEN BOY will be lead by newcomer to NVA Michael Zlotnik, playing violinist turned boxer Joe Bonaparte. Anchoring the cast will be Ensemble Members Amanda Sitton* as Lorna Moon, Manny Fernandes* as Tom Moody, Joshua Everett Johnson* as Eddie Fuseli and Actor’s Equity Member Eric Poppick as Mr. Bonaparte. Other talented actors lending themselves to this play are Amanda Dane (Anna), John DeCarlo (Frank Bonaparte/Mickey), Ryan Lahetta (Pepper White), Ryan Lee (Drake), Jeff Anthony Miller (Tokio), Pat Moran (Mr. Carp/Driscoll), Greg Wittman (Siggie) and Eddie Yaroch (Roxy Gottleib). Rounding out the Ensemble are Carlos Darze and Sassan Saffari.

Performances of GOLDEN BOY will take place at NVA’s beautiful new theatre space in Carlsbad Village June 21^st - July 13^th, 2008, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. General admission tickets are $26, with a discounted $22 ticket price for Seniors (65+), Students (Full time with ID) and Active Military. Groups of six or more are $20. San Diego residents are encouraged to take advantage of Coaster train service to and from the Saturday 3 PM matinees. There are also two Pay-What-You-Can Previews on Thursday, June 19^th at 8 PM and Friday, June 20^th at 8 PM. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 760/433.3245 or visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

ABOUT THE PLAY:
American playwright Clifford Odets crafted this 1930’s love story about a classically trained violinist with a unique attribute: the skill and strength to become the lightweight champion of the world. In a New York City dominated by Odets’ quirky characters and street poetry, he must choose between the fists and the fiddle, the glamorous and the gutsy, what he needs and the woman he wants.

GOLDEN BOY was first produced in November of 1937 by The Group Theatre, a company Clifford Odets helped found along with Lee Strasberg, Harold Clurman and Cheryl Crawford. It has been said that Odets own struggle between art and materialism was the basis for GOLDEN BOY as Odets struggled to support his theatre habit with Hollywood success. His previous work included a great deal of social criticism where GOLDEN BOY was acclaimed for its intricate personal relationships and psychological conflict. Translating these complicated themes to the stage is a Cracker Jack creative team brought together by director Joshua Everett Johnson*: NVA’s Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner* will co-design the set along with scenic artist Tim Wallace. Nate Parde, recently named Lighting Director at the Old Globe, will add to the mood with his Lighting Design; Costumes will be designed by Mary Larson and Props by Bonnie Durben.

*Member of NVA’s Ensemble

This entry was posted by Elaine Gingery on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 11:03 am and is filed under press release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.