Going to See the Kid Is One-Of A Kind Red Sox Story For The Holiday Season
This holiday season, Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents the world premiere of the one-of-a-kind Christmas Red Sox play "Going to See the Kid." This latest offering from playwright Steven Drukman centers around two Boston Globe reporters on a journey to meet legendary ballplayer TEd Williams in 2001. With great humor and affection, "Going to See the Kid" takes a fresh look at a beloved Boston icon-and is filled with holiday spirit to boot. MRT Director of New Play Development Alexander Greenfield directs.
The 90-minute performance will run without an intermission. Performances are November 30 - December 24. Press performances are at 8:00 pm on Saturday, December 3 (Opening Night), and 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 4. All performances will be held at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $70 - $26 and are on sale now at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.
A Homemade Christmas Treat from MRT
"Going to See the Kid" represents the next bold step forward for Merrimack Repertory Theatre's Patriot Program, the associate artist program that began in 2015. Playwright Steven Drukman is among the company's 70 Patriots, the network of national artists who call MRT an artistic home. All cast members from this production are also MRT Patriots.
Directing the play is Alexander Greenfield, MRT's newly-hired Director of New Play Development. Fine-tuned over a series of workshops (at MRT, and also at Vermont's Weston Playhouse), "Going to See the Kid" has emerged not just as a warm and delightful holiday tribute to a local legend-but also as a major milestone in MRT's road to becoming a national center for new play production. This production is the first of four world premieres to hit the MRT stage in the 2016-17 Season, and the only one this season that was a comission.
"Steven Drukman's abilities as a writer are only outmatched by his ardent love of the Red Sox," says Greenfield. "As the theatre's new Director of New Play Development, I can think of no finer way to make my MRT directing debut than with this fun and irreverent love letter to America's favorite pastime. It has been an utter joy developing this world premiere with Steven in the brilliant company of these actors. I can't wait to share it with our audience this holiday season!"
More About the Play MRT Artistic Director Sean Daniels knew that "Going to See the Kid" was a perfect fit for MRT-even before it was written. "Steven's one of the finest writers in the business. Plus, he loves Boston-and he's wanted to write his Red Sox play for years," Daniels remembers. "At the same time, we were looking for a great local story to produce at the holidays. I reached out to Steven and said, 'I think we've got a spot for that Red Sox play..."
The story takes place in 2001 and follows Ellis and Simon, two reporters for the Boston Globe, on assignment to land a final interview with aging Red Sox legend TEd Williams in Florida at Christmastime. Scrappy, quick-witted Ellis couldn't be more different from the cultured and high-mindEd Simon. But on the road trip to the Sunshine State, where they at last meet the beloved ball player, they learn the inestimable value of teammates-on and off the field. It's a tribute to a true Boston icon, to the light that shines on long after the last pitch is thrown, and to holiday spirit and warmth-all the way from Fenway to Florida.
Creative Team and Cast The three-person cast features Joel Colodner ( "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play", "Glengarry, Glen Ross"), Veronika Duerr ( "45 Plays for 45 Presidents", "Home of the Brave," "It's a Wonderful Life..."), and John Gregorio ("Home of the Brave").
Director Alexander Greenfield is joined by a creative team that includes Jason Sherwood (sets), Stephanie Levin (costumes), Brian J. Lilienthal (lights), and Alex Neumann (sound).
Admission Tickets range from $70 - $26 and are available at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678. A senior discount is offered for 10% off adult ticket prices. Student tickets are $15. Group discounts are available for groups of six or more by calling 978-654-7561. $5 Night:Wednesday, November 30 at 7:30 pm. Patrons may purchase tickets for $5, cash only, at the Box Office between 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Limit 2 tickets per person.?Lowell Night: Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30 pm. Lowell residents may purchase tickets for $10 at the box office from 4:30 pm-7:30 pm. Proper ID required, limit 2 per person. A Military Discount of $10 off per ticket (up to four tickets per production) applies to any performance for active duty, retired, veteran, and reservist members of the military.
Special Events
MRT will host its annual Holiday Basket Raffle throughout the run of the production. Each of the two prize baskets will contain over a thousand dollars worth of gifts donated by local businesses, and proceeds from the raffle will go to support MRT's community outreach and education programs.
Military Night (December 8) will offer half-price tickets to active and veteran Military and their families. On Wine Down Friday(December 9), the audience will be invited to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine in the lobby following the 8:00 pm performance with the cast and crew, as well as with the Western Avenue Studios Artists Association members whose work is currently on exhibit in the lobby. Post-Show Discussions will be held following select performances: each Wednesday, leaders from the local community will discuss relevant themes of the play as part of MRT's Community Conversations series. Each Thursday, Ask the Artists will provide an opportunity for the audience to hear directly from the people who created the show.
On Friday, December 2, Tony Massarotti from SportsHub 98.5 will be doing a Post-Show Discussion based on his knowledge of the Red Sox and TEd Williams.
Sponsors "Going to See the Kid" has received media support from media sponsor the Walmart Foundation. Circle Health is the 2016-17 Season Sponsor. Merrimack Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) has been Merrimack Valley's professional theatre company since 1979, and is an integral part of Lowell's identity as the cultural heart of the region. MRT produces vibrant, contemporary plays that explore what it means to be alive today. A seven-show season runs from September through May in the intimate 279-seat Nancy L. Donahue Theatre. The company is known as a leader in producing new plays, especially world and regional premieres. MRT is one of 72 theaters nationwide (one of three in Massachusetts) with membership in LORT (the League of Resident Theatres). ? MRT 2016-17 SEASON "45 Plays for 45 Presidents" by Andy Bayiates, SEan Benjamin, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Chloe Johnston, and Karen Weinberg, Directed by Sean Daniels September 7 - October 2, 2016
"Abigail/1702" by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Directed by Tlaloc Rivas
October 12 - November 6, 2016
"Going to See the Kid" by Steven Drukman, Directed by Alexander Greenfield
November 30 - December 24, 2016
"The Making of a Great Moment" by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Directed by Sean Daniels
January 4 - 29, 2017
"Women in Jeopardy!" by Wendy MacLeod, Directed by Sean Daniels
February 15 - March 12, 2017
"Chill" by Eleanor Burgess, Directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian March 22 - April 16, 2017
"My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend" Conceived and performed by Charissa Bertels, Book and lyrics by Christian Duhamel, Music and lyrics by Edward Bell, Directed by Sean Daniels April 26 - May 21, 2017
Merrimack Repertory Theatre Performance Space: The Nancy L. Donahue Theatre? (In Liberty Hall, adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium) 50 E. Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Box Office: 978-654-4678