Directed by Merrimack's artistic director Charles Towers, Secret Order stars Larry Pine. The biomedical drama is about a brilliant young research biologist who works in an obscure university lab — and discovers a possible cure for cancer.
"When the dynamic director of New York's leading cancer institute becomes his mentor and champion, he is set on a path of acclaim and prestige that could lead directly to the Nobel Prize," according to production notes. "But the halls of science twist and turn in surprising ways, and the young doctor is suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of medicine, money and power."
The provocative drama promises "a captivating look at an industry fueled by pharmaceutical money, personal ambition and media frenzy."
Secret Order was produced at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, MA, in 2006-07.
Broadway vet Larry Pine (Angels in America on Broadway; Stuff Happens at The Public) leads a New York cast that includes Jessi Campbell (Victoria Martin: Math Team Queen; Inky), Dan Colman (Romeo and Juliet at The Public/NYSF) and Kenneth Tigar (Translations at the Biltmore). The design team includes Bill Clarke (scenic design), Martha Hally (costume design) and Dan Kotlowitz (lighting design). The production stage manager is Jon Goldman.
Secret Order will open Nov. 15, after previews, and play a limited engagement through Dec. 9 at 3 PM.
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Bob Clyman's plays have been produced Off-Broadway and at Laguna Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, Mill Mountain Theatre, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, Denver Center Theatre, Geva Theatre, The Magic Theatre and Missouri Repertory Theatre and Colony Studio Theatre, an on tour in Scotland. Four of his plays were produced at the Circle Rep Lab in New York. Clyman has been awarded a number of national prizes, including a Eugene O'Neill Summer Conference Fellowship, New Jersey State Arts Council Award, Geraldine Dodge Fellowship, Berilla-Kerr Foundation Award, Edward Albee Foundation Fellowship, Djerassi Foundation Fellowship, Shenandoah Valley Playwrights Fellowship, Playwrights First Award and Theater in the Works Fellowship.
His new play, Tranced, premieres in 2007-08 at San Jose Rep and Laguna Playhouse.
The performance schedule in Theater A at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison) is Wednesday-Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM and 8 PM; and Sunday at 3 PM and 7 PM.
There is no matinee performance on Nov. 10. Single tickets are $50 ($35 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.ticketcentral.com.
For more information, visit www.59e59.org.
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At 59E59 Theaters, Elysabeth Kleinhans is artistic director, and Peter Tear is executive producer.
For more information about Merrimack Rep, the Equity resident troupe in Lowell, MA, visit www.merrimackrep.org.
