A Gripping New Drama at New Jersey Repertory Company

Aug. 18, 2009 - PRLog -- LONG BRANCH – The New Jersey Repertory Company, located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch is proud to present the National New Play Network world premiere of “The Rant” by Andrew Case, August 20 thru September 20.

The police are called to a domestic dispute, shots are fired, a crowd gathers, and in the end a boy is dead and no one will say what actually happened. In this modern-day Rashomon, where everybody’s account of the event differs, the investigator assigned to the case must confront prejudice, deceit, indifference, intimidation and threats, as she struggles to assign culpability.
Surrounded by threatening forces on all sides, will she be able to rise above her own preconceptions and face her own demons to find out where the truth really lies?

Playwright Andrew Case spent seven years working as an investigator for the Civilian Complaint Review Board in New York City and his often trying experiences contributed greatly to the creation of the play. If his characters ring true it is because of  what he learned and saw in this volatile environment where the public and law enforcement came into daily, and sometimes deadly contact. From the grieving mother, to the overworked police officer struggling with the tragedy, to the hardened and cynical newspaper reporter, the characters achieve an authenticity that can only come from a playwright who has fully lived these moments.

Reflecting recently on the play, Mr. Case said, “There are two obstacles to certainty in an investigation-certainty in the facts, and certainty in the law. While presumably there is some truth out there of what ‘really happened’, it is of course often nearly impossible from real-life evidence to make a totally reliable finding of facts. “The Rant” explores this gray area that confounds and characterizes much of our lives and provides a poignant and sobering view of the challenges that confront our complex and rapidly changing society.  

Specially-priced preview performances are available on Thursday and Friday, August 20 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Opening night with reception sponsored by Tre Amici is Saturday, August 22 at 8:00 p.m.

Regular performances run Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. For tickets and additional information call 732-229-3166, email info@njrep.org or visit www.njrep.org.

Tickets: Adults $40; Previews $35; Opening Night with reception $60; Seniors (65+) and full-time students $35 (except for opening night).

Reservations: Online at www.njrep.org or call 732-229-3166.
Email: info@njrep.org
URL: www.njrep.org

NJ Rep is handicapped accessible and offers free on-site parking and easy access from NJ Transit and Academy Bus Lines. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted.

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A professional non-profit 62-seat theater in Long Branch, NJ committed to developing and producing new plays, returning to the basics where text is paramount, so as to make a contribution to the repertoire of the American stage.