The New York premiere of Simon Stephens’ Punk Rock, starring Big Love’s Douglas Smith, officially opens off-Broadway on November 17. The MCC Theater production, directed by Trip Cullman, will run through December 7 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
Inspired by Stephens’ own experiences as a teacher, Punk Rock explores contemporary adolescence at the breaking point as a group of seventeen-year-olds in Manchester, England flirt and posture their way through the day while preparing for exams. With hormones raging and minimal adult supervision, nothing can mask the underlying tension that becomes increasingly pronounced as the clock ticks towards the ultimate dismissal.
In addition to Smith, Punk Rock features Pico Alexander, Lilly Englert, Annie Funke, David Greenspan, Colby Minifie, Will Pullen and Noah Robbins. Stephens is currently represented on Broadway by The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.