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Philadelphia Noir Gets its Shot in the Big Apple
Brandon Ramos, author of The Sweet Room and Lingo, brought his first full-length play, The Palooka, to the Access Theater stage March 2nd through March 12th.

Called “one part Clifford Odets, one part David Mamet” by Illinois theater-goers during the staged reading at Princeton’s Festival 56, The Palooka is a searing drama caught between a near-nostalgic past and the immediacy of a violent underworld.



The Palooka is a story of Lloyd, a career boxer in early 1950's Philadelphia. Waiting to escape the punishment and monotony of the ring, Lloyd meets an old friend with a new and dangerous angle. But along with the seduction of this opportunity, the boxer finds he must navigate a world of vanishing loyalties and patent double-crosses.

The Palooka has been Nominated for the Off Off Broadway It Awards
Outstanding Production of a Play: Brandon Ramos & Jefferey Lawhorn
Outstanding Full Length Script Brandon Ramos
Outstanding Director of Play: Jeffrey Lawhorn
Outstanding Set Design: Robert Monaco
Outstanding Lighting Design: Jenny Granrud
Outstanding Costume Design: Maggie Baker-Atkins
Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role: Karen Stanion





Meet the Cast:


Stephen Kuhel Gerry Goodstein Karen Stanion Chris George




Doug Friedman John O'Creagh Ford Winter James Kelly

Maggie Baker-Atkins Costume Design
Jennifer Granrud Lighting Design
Robert Monaco Scenic Design
Matthew McNear Stage Manager

Thanks for your contribution
The original one-act version of The Palooka was first read for audiences in September 2004. The play was developed further in association with Le Wilhem and the New York based RCL Writer’s Workshop. A later draft was selected by Illinois theater group The November Ten, as part of their Summer Festival 56. Here, resident director Jeff Lawhorn staged the first public reading of the script. Brandon and Jeff reunited in New York City in Fall 2004 for final edits and the collaborative production debuting March 2nd.

We are still accepting donations to the production of The Palooka.
Please contact Jeff at Palooka.Play@gmail.com to make your donation. All donations are tax deductable.



Jeffery Lawhorn joins production of The Palooka!
 I met Jeff at the Palooka reading at Festival 56 this summer. He directed the reading with creativity, skill and vigor. Jeff joins the slated March 2006 production as Co-Producer / Director.

MORE COMING SOON!