Epic Theatre Ensemble's world-premiere production of The Winning Side, a new play by James Wallert, directed by Ron Russell, has extended its limited run at Theatre Row. Previously scheduled through October 28, the Off-Broadway engagement will now continue through November 4.
The Winning Side tells the story of Wernher von Braun, the real-life engineer for the Third Reich-turned NASA rocket scientist. The play explores his hand in the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.
Sullivan Jones (Hulu’s The Looming Tower) leads the company as von Braun. The cast is completed by Melissa Friedman as Margot, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr. as Major Taggert, and Devin E. Haqq.
“When we first got a hold of James’s play, we knew we had a riveting piece of theater on our hands,” said Epic Theatre Ensemble's co-founders Wallert, Russell, and Friedman. “But it wasn’t until we put this in front of audiences that we understood the level of intellectual and emotional engagement it would spark. The post-show conversations are consistently some of the most passionate, lively, and nuanced that we’ve ever witnessed, and we are thrilled to keep this dialogue going.”
Performances of The Winning Side began October 3 at Theatre Row’s Acorn Theatre, where the production officially opened October 8.
The creative team includes Chika Shimizu (set/projections designer), Cat Tate Starmer (lighting designer), Betsy Rugg-Hinds (costume designer), and Russell (sound designer).