Slow Descent from Heaven by Catie O'Keefe

NET presents the world premiere of a new full-length play from Resident Playwright Catie O'Keefe and director Ed Cohen. Molly's worked hard to advance her career as a NASA scientist. Because of this, romantic relationships have never come easy. As we watch her navigate a tightrope between two would-be lovers and two world-changing events at NASA, we see that for some life is a painful push to leave the Earth's atmosphere, while for others it's a slow descent back from Heaven. New Edgecliff Theatre continues its transitional 15th season with the premiere of "Slow Descent from Heaven" by NET's Resident Playwright Catie O'Keefe. For this production, NET will travel to the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, where they've created an intimate 88-seat studio theater. "Slow Descent" features former NET Artistic Director Elizabeth A. Harris as Molly, a NASA scientist, whose story is told in reverse chronology, beginning with the Columbia disaster in 2003 and ending with the Challenger disaster 18 years earlier, in 1986. Rounding out the ensemble are Sue Breving, Brian Berendts and Michael Hall. Ed Cohen, who previously directed "Death of a Salesman" for NET, returns to take on this compelling story. He says, "I love Catie's use of the Space Shuttle program as a metaphor for relationships, which have the potential for spectacular, magical successes and equally spectacular, but paralyzing failures. Presenting the story in reverse chronological order allows the audience to see how the characters' behavior - their confusions and doubts - developed out of past events." NET Executive Director and founder Michael Shooner adds, "We're very excited to have Ed Cohen directing Catie's very honest, human play in such an innovative and intimate setting. The folks at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center have been quite accommodating in allowing us to transform this space. All in...more