Bill Egan directs the Philadelphia engagement, which begins performances Feb. 19, 2009, and will continue through March 8, 2009, at the Walnut Street Theatre Studio.

The cast includes Ted Powell as Jeremy, Nicholas Troy as Derrick and Erikka Walsh as Christy. Creative team will be announced shortly.

Bogard's 90-minute drama, according to press notes, centers on "a young man who kidnaps his older brother and takes him on a grueling road trip to conquer his heroin addiction. Mile after mile their relationship is stretched to the limit as the two brothers' repressed memories and hidden motivations are mercilessly exposed. Hugging the Shoulder is a play about the tragedy of missed opportunities. It explores the relationship between addiction and love, and is a plea for us to do what sometimes is the hardest thing of all: to forgive ourselves."

Tickets, priced $15, are available by phoning (215) 965-8289 or by visiting www.represented.org.

Hugging the Shoulder performs at the Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, located at 825 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA.