![Erin Mallon To Have Staged Reading of "A Mind Out of The Gutter" at SOPAC](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2017/ErinMallon.jpg "Erin Mallon To Have Staged Reading of "A Mind Out of The Gutter" at SOPAC")
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Maplewood resident Erin Mallon, an accomplished playwright, actor and voice-over artist, has her feet firmly planted in several areas of artistic expression. She could be considered a consummate multi-careerist as she continues to bring energy and artistry to all her endeavors. On May 21 at 7:00pm her new play, A Mind Out of the Gutter, will be presented by American Theater Group in a reading in the South Orange Performing Arts Center Loft. The reading gives professional actors a chance to bring life to the play as they read with script-in-hand, and gives audiences the opportunity to give valuable feedback to the playwright as she continues to refine the work.
The story unfolds in the most unlikely of settings, two rooftops in suburban Ohio. A 75-year-old man and a 9-year-old girl sit on houses full of secrets. Literally.
Bernard wants nothing more than to enjoy his beer (and perhaps kill a few sparrows), but Rory next door has different plans for him. With six decades between them and only four chance encounters to connect, these unlikely new friends unearth what's buried in each other and find new ground. Warning: this play includes tap dancing, pumpkin throwing and air-hugging.
The part of Bernard will be played by Broadway veteran Arthur French, whose extensive credits include Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Trip to Bountiful, Death of a Salesman, Design for Living, and many more. He is the recipient of an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance. Rory, his next-door neighbor will be played by newcomer and Summit resident Maren Heary, who just completed filming the Netflix series Gypsy opposite Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup. Kel Haney, who directed American Theater Group’s hugely successful The Way We Get By (Neil La Bute) and the recent reading at SOPAC of A Good Farmer, will lead the cast in this reading as well.
“Any time a playwright sees her work performed by talented artists is a thrill,” stated Mallon. “I am particularly excited to see this cast dive into the play with the wonderful Kel Haney directing. Kel has such a gift for mining new plays, finding what "makes them tick" and helping them come to life. American Theater Group and Jim Vagias are such champions for writers and new work. The support and platform they provide for theater artists mean so much!”
“Erin’s play is a delight to read and will be even more delightful to hear performed. It’s one of those “feel good” plays. I think the audience is going to love it,” says American Theater Group Producing Artistic Director James Vagias.
Mallon has made Maplewood her home for the past 18 months. Relocating Greenpoint, Brooklyn was a positive move for both her artistic life and her family. “I feel incredibly lucky to be a new member of the SOMA community. These two towns are welcoming, diverse and positively teeming with creative people and opportunity,” she said. “Theater companies are popping up all over! Wonderful organizations like the SOMA Coalition on Race hosts a monthly playgroup to bring together children and families of different ethnic backgrounds. I couldn't imagine a better place to raise my little boy while continuing to grow my work as an artist.”
A Mind Out of the Gutter will be performed South Orange Performing Arts Center Loft on Sunday, May 21 at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale and are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They can be purchased online or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787. SOPAC is located at One SOPAC Way in South Orange, New Jersey.
SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3)charitable organization. SOPAC received funding through a grant from the New Jersey. Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, visitnj.org.
