Ken Urban's Danger and Opportunity, which will premiere next month at new downtown venue East Village Basement, has found its cast. Performances will run March 27-April 17 with an official opening April 3.
Directed by Jack Serio, Danger and Opportunity follows Christian and Edwin, a married gay couple who are in a rut when Margaret—Christian’s ex-girlfriend from Catholic high school—gets in touch after 20 years. East Village Basement is a newly opened multipurpose theatre/arts space designed like a living room to provide an intimate atmosphere for small-scale shows, readings, rehearsals, events, and more.
The production will star Drama Desk and Lortel award-winner Juan Castano (Toros, Transfers), Julia Chan (Pre-Existing Condition, Uncle Vanya), and Ryan Spahn (The Antiquities, The Jordans).
“Danger and Opportunity is my attempt to make sense of the push and pull between change as possible and impossible at a deeply personal level,” says Urban in a statement. “While many of my plays are inspired by research or interviews, this one speaks intimately to my experiences as a queer man navigating desire and love in a relationship. Given the script’s intimacy, when Jack and the producing team suggested doing the play in an actual living room so we could really bring the audience into the lives of these three characters, how could I say no?”
“As we’ve seen post-pandemic, audience members are increasingly excited by small, artist-driven productions, in unconventional spaces,” adds Serio. “The work often feels more vital and alive when the distance between audience and art is collapsed. Ken’s play is delicate, probing, and asks big questions about intimacy and love. I couldn't imagine a better home than the intimate East Village Basement for its world premiere. Audiences will feel like they are eavesdropping on the most private conversations between characters as they sit shoulder to shoulder in the lamplight of this beautiful play.”
The creative team will include scenic designer Frank J. Oliva, costume designer Avery Reed, lighting designer Stacey Derosier, and production stage manager Zach Brecheen. Casting is by David Caparelliotis and Joe Gery of Caparelliotis Casting.
Jacob Stuckelman, Matt Krauss, Andrew Patino, and Kyle Rogers are producing.
Visit DangerandOpportunity.com.
