Room 15 Theater Group will present a limited engagement of Clifford Odets鈥� Golden Boy November 9鈥�19 at The GK Arts Center, 29 Jay Street, Brooklyn. All proceeds will benefit stoPD, a bicoastal non-profit dedicated to support and training to overcome Parkinson鈥檚 Disease.
The production will be helmed by co-directors Aaron Latham, author of Urban Cowboy and a participant in stoPD鈥檚 boxing program to help combat his own Parkinson鈥檚, and Graydon Gund. The company will also feature several actors who are participants in stoPD鈥檚 unique boxing-based program鈥攄esigned for people with Parkinson鈥檚.
"Parkinson鈥檚 Disease is a life-altering condition, but it鈥檚 by no means a death sentence,鈥� said Dr. Roberta Marongiu, co-founderof stoPD, in a statement. 鈥淲e know that intense exercise is key in the treatment of this neurological disorder. Boxing happens to be the quintessential intense workout, that improves all the motor skills affected by Parkinson鈥檚: balance, strength, eye-hand coordination, and flexibility.
Alex Montaldo, a stoPD co-founder who will star as conflicted protagonist Joe Bonaparte, added, 鈥淏oxing training is also extremely helpful on a psychological and emotional level. Through exercise we trigger a shift in perspective toward positivity and pro-activity, showing participants that they can do much more than they ever imagined and how they can greatly improve their quality of life by taking charge.鈥�
The cast will also feature Gregg Prosser as Tom Moody, Ron Shetler as Mr. Bonaparte, Kathleen Simmonds as Lorna Moon, Jon Spano as Eddie Fuselli, Mia Christo as Anna Bonaparte, Fady Kerko as Siggie, professional boxer John Duddy as Tokio, Montgomery Mauro as Frank Bonaparte, David Cohen as Mr. Carp, James Rich as Roxy Gottlieb, Jeffrey Alkins as Pepper White, Miah Kane, and Patrick Faerber.
Golden Boy focuses on Joe Bonaparte, an accomplished violinist who longs to be top man in the boxing ring. When prizefight promoter Roxy Gottlieb offers to sponsor him as a boxer, he finds himself torn between the lure of big money and the distinct possibility of injuring his hands, thereby destroying his musical career.
The production will also feature scenic and costume design by Anna Driftmeir, fight choreography by Michael Olajide, and live music performed by Filip Pogady.
To purchase tickets, click . To learn more about stoPD, including how to make a donation, visit .
