Opus: A New England Premiere by Michael Hollinger
February 25, 2010
New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is thrilled to present Opus,a New England Premiere by Michael Hollinger. Opus opens for the press on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 7:30pm and plays through Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.
“Opus is a highly nuanced masterpiece,” says Kate Warner, New Rep’s Artistic Director. “It examines the complex relationship between artists’ lives and their work, interweaving compelling dialogue and rich, powerful music. Jim Petosa’s experienced directing, along with our talented cast, imparts just the right touch to bring out this work’s absorbing subtleties.”
Jim Petosa, director of Opus, comments, "What a pleasure to be invited to join the vibrant community of artists at New Rep! Opus is a play that has intrigued me for some time. The story puts a sharp focus on the intersection between creative relationship and friendship - the crossroads of love and power, integrity, and compassion."
Opus features New Rep favorites Benjamin Evett (Indulgences, Permanent Collection, Quills, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, A Girl’s War, and Jerusalem), Bates Wilder (A Streetcar Named Desire, Waiting for Godot, and Frozen), Shelly Bolman (Tartuffe), Michael Kaye (Silence and A House With No Walls), and Becky Webber (Charles Dickens’ A Christmas
Carol).
The celebrated and world-renowned Lazara String Quartet is struggling to prepare for their highest-profile performance when their gifted but volatile violist mysteriously disappears. The play is interwoven with rich and powerful music that propels this New England Premiere forward. Violinist-turned-playwright, Michael Hollinger’s Opus has tempers flaring and egos clashing when a new member is introduced and the group’s secrets are revealed.
New Repertory Theatre presents provocative and intelligent works of both established and emerging playwrights in an intimate setting that involves and engages the audience. New Rep has earned a reputation for dynamic productions that honor the writers and feature talented professional actors from the New England Theatre community as well as guest artists from around the U.S. New Rep has received Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for outstanding acting, scenic design, directions, and production. Programming for New Repertory Theatre is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Over 200,000 annually visit The Arsenal Center for the Arts. The Watertown - based center occupies 30,000 square feet of space on three floors. It houses two theatres – the 350 seat Charles Mosesian Theater and the smaller Black Box – classrooms and workshop spaces, artist studios, gallery and exhibit space, rehearsal rooms, and informal gathering places. Its stunning and unique architectural design is ideally suited to support its mission as an inter-disciplinary arts center. This mix of interior venues provides a home for three resident companies (New Repertory Theatre, Watertown Children’s Theatre, The Quilters’ Connection) and regular performing troupes such as Improv Jones. The Center, under the arsenalARTS umbrella, also offers its own programming consisting of art exhibits, classes and workshops for adults and children, literary presentations, concerts and other staged events.
Watertown Children’s Theatre was founded in 1983 by Founding Artistic Director Dinah Lane. In over 25 years of service to the town of Watertown and the surrounding communities, this award-winning organization has enriched the lives of thousands of children and their families. Combining values of artistic excellence and inclusiveness, as reflected in its affordable fee structure, its open audition policy, and its involvement of entire families, WCT has continuously ensured its place as a highly valued member of the artistic community. This season, WCT offers a line-up of diverse programming, including fully staged plays and musicals and educational offerings for all ages.
For Press Inquiries: Contact Gia Podobinski at 617-923-7060, extension 205
or e-mail gia@newrep.org