![Michael Tucker's "Assisted Living" added to NJ Rep's Season](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2018/NJRep-Feb15.jpg "Michael Tucker's "Assisted Living" added to NJ Rep's Season")
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company will round out its 2018 Season with the mature comedy, Assisted Living, by Michael Tucker (The M Spot). The production will run from August 9 – September 9, 2018. In this World Premiere play, three couples in their golden years, are gathered at Sunny and Jer’s farmhouse to celebrate milestone birthdays that span three decades.
The foundation of their long friendship is honesty and support – as well as a commitment to the enjoyment of food, wine and laughter. They’re so close that Sunny suggests they all move in together – to live and work and assist one another as they grow older. Their companionship is put to the test, however, when a marital betrayal is discovered, that tests their bonds of loyalty.
In addition to readings at NJ Rep and Manhattan Theatre Club, Assisted Living was developed during a residency at the prestigious Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference in 2017. Tucker’s first play, The M Spot, debuted at NJ Rep in 2015. In addition, he has written three memoirs and a novel, After Annie. Tucker has acted over the last fifty years in theater, TV and films, and was recently seen Off-Broadway in Wallace Shawn’s Evening at the Talk House with the New Group, but Tucker is best remembered along with his wife, Jill Eikenberry, as members of the legal team in the Emmy Award winning TV series, LA Law.
The complete season includes: Wild Horses a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by Allison Gregory. A savagely-funny play about a summer that changed an adolescent girl forever, told by her grown-up self. The pathos and hubris of her teenage years, the struggle for identity, independence, and authenticity, and the desire to find one’s place in a complicated world — all come rushing at us as she takes us on the ride of her life. Pre-show performance begins 30 minutes prior to all performances. Directed by SuzAnne Barabas, starring Estelle Bajou (The Jag). Feb 22 – Mar 25, 2018.
Issei, He Say (or The Myth of the First) a World Premiere by Chloé Hung. In this powerful, funny new play, Lucy Chu reflects on her first year as an immigrant in Canada, when her Chinese family moved in next door to a Japanese-Canadian man who was in an internment camp during World War II. Prejudices and hatred reach a boiling point and teenage Lucy is caught in the middle. Winner of an Edgerton New Play Award. Directed by Jeff Liu. Apr 19, 2018 – May 20, 2018.
Mercy a World Premiere by Adam Szymkowicz. Orville is trying to get on with his life after his wife is killed in a car accident. His father is taking care of his infant daughter, while his boss at work is aggressively trying to comfort him. But everything changes when Orville inadvertently meets the man responsible for his wife’s death. Directed by Markus Potter. June 14, 2018 – July 15, 2018.
Assisted Living a world premiere by Michael Tucker. See above for description. Aug 9, 2018 – Sept 9, 2018.
Wolf at the Door a World Premiere by Marisela Treviño Orta. In this tale inspired by Latino folk lore and mythology, Isadora finds the strength to stand up to her abusive husband and must decide what price she’ll pay for her freedom. Oct 18, 2018 – Nov 18, 2018.
New Jersey Repertory Company is located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Photo of Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker
