ReVision Theatre Reacts to Gang Violence

RVT Reaches Out to Community Offering Gang Related Forums and Events
Hopes to draw large audience to new Hip Hop rock musical, KINGDOM

Asbury Park, New Jersey – ReVision Theatre is hitting the streets with a new show that exposes the impact of gang violence on the local community. The East Coast Premiere of Kingdom, a new Hip Hop Rock musical about the gang, the Latin Kings, will open in April, but the theatre company is already working hard to educate Asbury Park and surrounding communities about the growing number of gang members in Monmouth County. Events include a Kingdom Kick Off Party on March 7th, a Kingdom Exploration Symposium on March 19th, a Ticket Fund Campaign, and a cutting-edge interactive forum after every performance.

Kingdom will run Thursdays through Sunday, April 16th through May 3rd, at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park. A musical that speaks directly to today's youth through rap and hip hop music, the show is inspired by the true stories of current and former gang members of the Latin Kings. The show chronicles the journey of two kids from the barrio in a quest to belong and the power struggle that tears the two friends apart. Music by Ian Williams and book and lyrics by Aaron Jafferis, Kingdom will be directed by Carlos Armesto.

The public is invited to a Kingdom Kick-Off Party at 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 7th at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park. RVT staff, audiences, and sponsors will come together to generate support and enthusiasm for Kingdom and create a united stand against gang violence. This free event is open to the public and will include food, drink, and a live preview performance of Kingdom. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by calling 732-455-3059.

On Thursday, March 19th, ReVision Theatre will sponsor a Kingdom Exploration Symposium at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue, in Asbury Park that is open to the public. Teachers, community leaders, and parents are encouraged to attend. This symposium will feature gang experts as moderators that will discuss the affect of gangs in Monmouth County and how parents and leaders can take action to prevent gang violence.

ReVision Theatre is adding an interactive After-Show Forum to each performance that will add context to the themes presented in the show. Each Forum will generate a dialogue between a moderator, audience members, and actors in the show. This will include a general survey of audience members, an exploration with cast members in character, and a reflection of final thoughts and collective commentary.

Kingdom was developed and will be first produced by the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, just prior to the ReVision Theatre's East Coast Premiere production. Kingdom was the winner of the 2008 Richard Rodgers Award for stage readings, administered by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2007, the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival, developed by Eric Louie, The Public Theater, Queens Theatre in the Park, Weston Playhouse, John Jay College, Bregamos Community Theater, and at NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.

Tickets are available online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 732-455-3059. Ticket prices are $25 and $35. Special $15 tickets are available for Students and Teachers at each performance. ReVision Theatre has started a Ticket Fund Campaign where ticket buyers have the opportunity to sponsor additional tickets for teenagers who cannot afford admission.

A special Open Captioning performance for the hearing impaired will be available on Thursday, April 23rd at 8 pm.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre's Producing Artistic Directors, Thomas Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt, and Stephen Bishop Seely, produce reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre's 2008-2009 Season includes a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (July 11) at The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6) at the Carousel House on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.