Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its third season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the New England premiere of Jeff Stetson’s fascinating and dramatically compelling play, The Meeting from January 28 through February 15.

This eloquent play depicts the imagined meeting of two of the most significant men of modern times: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Differing in their philosophies, but alike in their desire for equality, the two men debate their conflicting approaches to the same grave social problems. Both understand they may have to give their life for their beliefs, but neither is aware of how soon their assassins’ bullets would await them. In time to celebrate Black History Month, this thought provoking play takes an intimate look at two larger than life figures.

“The conversation that takes place within the confines of this play is more relevant than ever,” said Ocean State Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director, Amiee Turner. “The hope for peace and civil justice are still at the forefront of peoples’ consciousness, just as it was over 50 years ago. The goals are still the same. It’s the approach that creates the issues: non-violence, of which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an advocate or doing ‘anything necessary,’ as was the belief of Malcolm X.”

Directed by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, who returns to the helm after directing this season’s productions of My Fair Lady and Dial M for Murder, the cast includes Damron Russel Armstrong, who returns to Ocean State Theatre after being seen as Tom Collins in RENT and Henry Brown in Race during OSTC’s inaugural season. Mr. Armstrong will portray the role of Malcolm X. Marcus Denard Johnson whose New York appearances include roles in Henry V, The Tempest, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Exonerated, This One Time in Last Chance, Much Ado About Nothing, and Hamlet will play Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rounding out the cast, in the role of Rashad, is New York actor, Tony Mitchell.

The Meeting will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from January 28 through February 15. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, January 29 at 2: and 7:30 p.m. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except February 4), Thursday (except February 12), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Thursdays (except February 12), Saturdays at 2 p.m. (except January 31) and Sundays at 2 p.m. Several student matinees, supported in part by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, have been scheduled throughout the run. Interested educators should call 921-1777 x112 for availability. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI’s Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, February 1.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. Tickets are $30 for preview performances and $34-$49 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling 921-1777 x112. $25 “Rush” tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon6 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 p.m. and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling 921-6800.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre whose mission is to preserve and pass on the tradition of live, professional theatre - including the American musical - and to pursue avenues of enrichment and education for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island and the surrounding region through the theatre arts. OSTC, which re-opened and ran the historic Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck, RI from 2007-2012 and began producing shows in Warwick in 2012, is an IRS designated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Funding provided in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders.