East Coast Premiere of MUTUAL PHILANTHROPY at NJ Rep Oct 19 - Nov 19

LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Sept. 27, 2017 - PRLog -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents the East Coast premiere of Karen's Rizzo's MUTUAL PHILANTHROPY, a comedy that blows the neighborhood watch whistle on the power plays and prejudices seething secretly beneath the California cool of a community transitioning from working class to billionaire bohemian. The play runs Thursdays through Sundays, October 19 through November 19, at NJ Rep, 179 Broadway in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Lee, an underrecognized artist, and his breadwinner wife, Esther, live paycheck to paycheck in the diverse East Los Angeles enclave of Mount Washington where Esther grew up.  Their friends Charles and Michelle are more recent arrivals, with big plans and big money for making the burgeoning neo-hip neighborhood even 'nicer.'  The couples' children attend the same top public school; they frequent the same neighborhood  businesses; they share similar views and a passion for contemporary art. In fact, Charles wants to discuss adding one of Lee's major sculptures to his stellar collection. With so much in common, what could go wrong over a cozy home dinner? Pretty much everything, once the one difference they all like to pretend does not matter is pried open wide by manipulation, temptation, resentment, and too much to drink.

Mutual Philanthropy is directed by Evan Bergman. The cast features Joe Carlson, Laurel Casillo, Vivia Font, and Jim MacDonald. Previews begin Thursday, October 19. Opening night with reception is Saturday, October 21. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 2pm, through November 19. Tickets are $46; $50 for Opening Night; +$5 for priority seating (front row & aisles) at all performances. Reservations: 732-229-3166 or online at http://www.njrep.org.