Michael Rupert Stars in 7th MONARCH at Theatre Row, Opening Today, 6/24

7th MONARCH, a new play by Jim Henry, featuring Tony Award winner Michael Rupert, is set to open today, June 24th. Performances began June 12th for a limited Off-Broadway engagement through September 9th at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre. In addition to Michael Rupert, the cast of 7th MONARCH features Michael Cullen, Gretchen Hall, Leslie Hendrix and Matthew Humphreys, under the direction of Scott C. Embler.

In 7th MONARCH, Miriam, a math prodigy who was on the fast track to becoming an astronaut, mysteriously dropped out of college and has been living in seclusion with her parents for the past 20 years. When Raina, a criminal investigator, knocks on her door seeking the parents, Miriam offers an inconceivable explanation for their disappearance. Jarring discoveries are soon revealed as the two women struggle to overcome their own personal tragedies.

Michael Cullen's New York stage credits include Bug (Obie Award); Cobb (Drama Desk Award); Bus Stop (Broadway); One Shot, One Kill (Primary Stages) and The Intelligent Sign of Jenny Chow (Atlantic). Gretchen Hall appeared on Broadway in Stick Fly and at Lincoln Center in Saturn Returns. Her TV credits include "Person of Interest," "Gossip Girl" and "Lipstick Jungle." Leslie Hendrix is best known for playing Medical Examiner Rodgers on "Law & Order." On Broadway, Leslie has been seen in The Music Man, Indiscretions, A Streetcar Named Desire and Hollywood Arms. Matthew Humphreys appeared on Broadway in The Vertical Hour and his film & TV credits include "Supernatural," "Burn Notice," "Medium," "Numb3rs," "Big Love," "Journeyman," The Good Shepherd and Chapter 27. Michael Rupert's Broadway credits include Pippin, City of Angels, Falsettos, Ragtime, Sweet Charity (Tony Award), Legally Blonde, The Happy Time and Shakespeare's Cabaret, and he starred Off-Broadway in March of the Falsettos, Putting It Together, Falsettoland and Elegies.

Playwright Jim Henry is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists and Chicago Street Theatre. He received both the Jeff Award and L.A. Times Critic's Choice Award for his acclaimed play The Angels of Lemnos. Director Scott C. Embler has directed Stain (Off-Broadway); Margot Alone in the Light (operamission); Death in England, Faith, Caliban (Vital); Burning Botticelli (FringeNYC) and Bloodties (NYMF).

Set design for 7th MONARCH is by Shoko Kambara, with costume design by D.W. Withrow, lighting design by D.M. Wood and sound design by David Pinkard.

7th MONARCHis produced Off-Broadway by Somerled Charitable Foundation, and the playing schedule is Tuesdays at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 3 PM at the Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row, 410 West 42 Street (just west of Ninth Ave.) Tickets are $75 and are available at Telecharge.com, 212-239-6200 or through www.7thMonarch.com.

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes