Naughton to Direct Surface to Air at Symphony Space

James Naughton has signed on to direct the world premiere of Surface to Air, a new play by David Epstein, which will be produced at Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theatre July 11-August 5, with opening night set for July 18. Surface to Air is the second in Symphony Space's annual "Summer Stock on Broadway" series.

Surface to Air is described as the story of a family forced to confront long-repressed emotions when the remains of their son, a Vietnam veteran, are identified 30 years after his plane was shot down in Vietnam.

Epstein's plays include Exact Change, which played at the London's Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. He wrote the books and collaborated on the lyrics for the off-Broadway musicals Wanted and The Bonus Army with the late Rev. Al Carmines. His screenplay for Palookaville was an award winner at the Venice Film Festival.

Naughton has won Tony Awards for his starring roles on Broadway in City of Angels and Chicago and a MAC Award for his one-man show James Naughton: Street of Dreams. He directed the Broadway revivals of Our Town and The Price and has worked often at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.