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Stratford's Square One Opens 27th Season With 'Now Or Later'

STRATFORD, Conn. -- The Square One Theatre of Stratford will open its 27th season with a production of Connecticut playwright Christopher Shinn's play "Now or Later," premiering Thursday, Nov. 3.

Pat Leo, left, and Christopher Finch, right, star in "Now or Later," which opens next month at the Square One Theatre in Stratford.

Pat Leo, left, and Christopher Finch, right, star in "Now or Later," which opens next month at the Square One Theatre in Stratford.

Photo Credit: Contributed
The Square One Theatre of Stratford opens its 27th season with the play "Now or Later" on Thursday, Nov. 3.

The Square One Theatre of Stratford opens its 27th season with the play "Now or Later" on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Photo Credit: Facebook (Square One Theatre)
Damian Long (of Bridgeport), Al Kulcsar (of Fairfield) and Peggy Nelson (of Hamden) are featured in Square One Theatre's production of "The Outgoing Tide"

Damian Long (of Bridgeport), Al Kulcsar (of Fairfield) and Peggy Nelson (of Hamden) are featured in Square One Theatre's production of "The Outgoing Tide"

Photo Credit: Contributed

The play stars Christopher Finch, the son of former Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, who takes on a familiar role.

In the play, on election night, a presidential candidate’s gay son (played by Christopher Finch) sends his father’s political team into crisis mode when controversial photos of him dressed as the prophet Muhammad and accompanied by a friend dressed as the ultra-conservative 'Pastor Bob' at a college party go viral, potentially sparking an international incident.

The son must wrestle to explain his motives and personal beliefs about freedoms of religion and expression to members of his father's campaign team, his mother, and ultimately his father. 

The play directly explores how Americans defend a core principle — freedom of expression — in the face of violence sparked by the mockery of another society's faith. 

Shinn puts these events in a fuller context, giving the audience the opportunity to explore more fully what is at stake in these complex clashes of culture, government, and faith. 

Smart and timely, Shinn’s exciting new play examines religion, freedom of expression and personal responsibility, according to The Square One Theatre.

"Shinn’s nuanced and thought-provoking drama about freedom of speech is a heady and provocative brew ... and it’s over too soon!" The Boston Globe said.

The cast for "Now or Later" include: Christopher Finch, Jennifer Ju, Patrick Kelly, Pat Leo, Joseph Maker and Peggy Nelson.

The play will run from Nov. 3 to Nov. 20 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Performance times are as follows: 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Obie winner Shinn's plays include "Picked," "Dying City," "On the Mountain," "Four," "What Didn't Happen" and the 2009 Broadway adaptation of "Hedda Gabler."

Single tickets are $20 for adults and $19 for senior citizens and students. Discounted subscriptions are now available.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at the Box Office at 203-375-8778 (24/7); online at squareonetheatre.com; and in person at the at box office 60 minutes prior to each performance.

All performances are at the new location on the stage of Stratford Academy, at 719 Birdseye St., Stratford.

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