Produced by Michael C. Freeland and Kenny Wade Marshall, the production plays Aug. 12-26 at the Henry Street Settlement at 466 Grand Street.

The 90-minute play (directed by the Brooklyn-based author) concerns 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," according to production notes. It's about "the tragedy of missed opportunities. It explores the relationship between addiction and love, and it is a plea for us to do what sometimes is the hardest thing of all: to forgive ourselves."

Director Jerrod Bogard wrote Hugging the Shoulder "to exorcize the demons from his own life," according to the producers.

Before settling in Brooklyn, Bogard directed and performed productions for children and adults all around the U.S. and Europe. His first short film, "Gatorman" (writer/director), recently won Best Mini-Picture at the Bare Bones International Film Festival. Assistant director of Hugging is Kristin Skye Hoffmann.

Performances are Aug. 12 at 5:30 PM, Aug. 13 at 10 PM, Aug. 16 at 9:15 PM, Aug. 20 at 1:45 PM and Aug. 26 at 9:30 PM.

All Tickets $15. For tickets visit www.FringeNYC.org or call (212) 279-4488 or (888) Fringe-NYC.