David Brendan Hopes is a prolific playwright. His plays Abbott’s Dance, 7 Reece Mews, Edward the King, and, most recently, The Loves of Mr. Lincoln have been produced in New York.

ASHEVILLE, NC: Asheville-based writer, poet, actor, and playwright David Brendan Hopes’ award-winning, coming-of-age drama, Night Music will open on February 1, at The Magnetic Theatre Company for a three-week run. This is the first production in The Magnetic Theatre’s 2018 Mainstage Season. The Magnetic Theatre, which is located in Asheville, NC’s vibrant River Arts District, is dedicated to developing and presenting newly written plays.

Hopes is an accomplished and prolific writer with numerous awards and accolades for his poetry, prose, and plays. Night Music won the 2017 North Carolina New Play Award and had its world premiere at the Drama Center in Greensboro, North Carolina last year. This will be the third play by Hopes to be presented at the Magnetic Theatre; Washington Place and Uranium235 both had their world-premiere at The Magnetic Theatre in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Night Music is a coming-of-age story about a pair of boyhood friends — the intense, intellectual Cleve, and easy-going, athletic Jesse. As the pair take a camping trip in the mountains, young Philomela watches the play of their flashlights high on a hill in the forest, and imagines she is seeing the love of her life. She is; but is it Jesse or Cleve?

“Though it is almost undetectable now, I wrote Night Music in response to the massacre at Virginia Tech a number of years ago. As a college professor, I have been involved in student lives for a number of years, and that dark event made me wonder about the lives these young people led before their intersection with history” commented Hopes about the inspiration behind Night Music. “Those who know the event fairly well will hear the echoes. But the second thing it was about–and the thing it is still about–is how we find our role in life according to those who journey with us. How would you be different if you hadn’t met that special friend at camp? How would you be different if your first love had been someone else? If you had learned one song rather than another? There’s no way of knowing; theater allows us to speculate.“

Night Music was the recipient of the 2017 North Carolina New Play Project Award (an award that Hopes also received for his play Saint Patrick’s Well.) His memoir, A Childhood in the Milky Way was a National Book Award and Pulitzer nominee. He teaches creative writing at UNC-Asheville.

The cast of Night Music features Quinn Morris and Nick Biggs as Cleve and Jesse, respectively. Serena Dotson-Smith appears as Philomena. The production is being directed by Christine Eide with a scenic design by Julia Cunningham, lighting design by Jason Williams, and sound design by Mary Zogzas. Marissa Wilson is the production stage manager.

Night Music will be presented at The Magnetic Theatre Company, 375 Depot Street in the River Arts District; Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 PM, February 1-February 17. Ticket prices range from $12 (for the February 1 and 2 preview performances) to $16 for all other performances.

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The Magnetic Theatre presents the Asheville premiere of David Brendan Hopes’ Night Music, directed by Christine Eide. Featuring Quinn Morris, Nick Biggs, and Serna Dotson-Smith. Scenic design by Julia Cunningham. Lighting design by Jason Williams and sound design by Mary Zogzas. Production stage manager is Marissa Wilson. The Magnetic Theatre is located at 375 Depot Street in the River Arts District. Low-priced previews February 1 and 2. Opening night with complimentary Prosecco, February 3. Performances continue, Thursdays-Saturdays through February 17. All performances at 7:30 PM. Previews $12. All other performances $16. $10 student rush tickets available 15 minutes before curtain with valid I.D. All admissions are subject to North Carolina Sales Tax. Tickets and info: www.themagnetictheatre.org. Info only: 828.239.9250.