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Rebel Without a Cause Comes to Off-Broadway; 50th Anniversary of
Film's Release and James Dean's Death
50 years after James Dean and Natalie Wood made cinematic history in
the film version of Rebel Without a Cause, the classic tale of Jim
Stark arrives on the off-Broadway stage.
(PRWEB) February 10, 2005 -- Set in the 1950's, Jim Stark is lonely
and conflicted teenager from a “good family”. He finds himself
the new kid in yet another town with a family running from his
reckless delinquencies. While Jim tries to make sense of his
surrounding the best way he knows how, he seems to find nothing but
trouble, more confusion and a mixed bag of friends and enemies. In a
whirlwind period of 24 hours, Jim discovers true love, family and
great tragedy.
50 years have passed since it was originally released, but the
messages of Rebel Without a Cause are as resonant as ever. Though
time may have sterilized and idealized the collective perception of
1950’s America, sexuality, violence, emotional disturbance and
rebellion are very real issues to the teens in Rebel. Jim Stark,
often referred to as the first accurate dramatic depiction of a
teenager, suffers all the classic trappings of growing up in a
modern world. For that reason, he remains a role model to teens and
the epitome of youth to millions worldwide. Though much has changed
greatly since 1955, the personal struggle to maintain balance has
not.
Allie Mulholland tackles the role that helped make James Dean an
American icon. Aubrey Plaza and Joshua Blaylock fill the roles of
Judy and Plato, Jim’s surrogate family. They are tormented by the
gang of “wheels” led by Joshua Coleman, Erin Cunningham, Mary
Wall, and Jason Piccoli. Adeline Drescher and Stan Andrew portray
Jim’s hopeless parents, and Dorothy Kretchmer is his Grandma.
Gregory R. Sweeney, Selena C. Dukes, Diana Dotter, Steve Coombs, and
Courtney Merritt round out the cast. The production was conceived by
Brian Stites and is under the direction of N. Christian Ugbode.
Barely Balancing Artists, a non-profit theatre company, was
established to bring this classic to the New York stage. With 2005
being the 50th anniversary of the film’s release and of Dean’s
tragic demise, the time seemed right to revisit this American
treasure. Rebel is produced by special arrangement with the Dramatic
Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
Performances run March 9-20, 2005 at the American Theatre of Actors,
314 W 54th St, NY, NY, just blocks from Times Square. Performances
are scheduled Wed-Mon at 8 PM, with the exception of Sundays, when
the performance will be a 2 PM matinee.
Tickets are on sale by calling 212 868-4444 or by visiting
www.smarttix.com
For more information, please visit: www.rebelwithoutacause.net
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