West Caldwell Resident's Play Premieres at New York Musical Theatre Festival

It is a play that explores the world and the entire history of humanity with just a handful of nameless characters -- Girl, Boy, Young Woman, Young Man, Woman and Man.

West Caldwell resident Jon Provan is bringing his theater production "Coming of Age," a series of short stories about growing up that also has a book and music by Provan, to the New York Musical Theatre Festival for its big-city debut.

Performances began Monday and continue Thursday at 9 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. at Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, located at 480 West 42nd St. between 9th and 10th Avenues in New York City.

The production is colored by rock 'n' roll and multi-dimensional characters who are described as warriors, rebels, dreamers and innocents each finding their way in the world.

Before he wrote his play, Provan said he dug around to find how other cultures address this universal experience after he realized he'd have to be confronting it himself.

"I remember the moment when I realized I wasn’t a child anymore. I woke up one morning and noticed something was missing, but I wasn’t sure where it had gone. I always wanted to explore that feeling, to figure out what had happened, to understand what growing up really means. That journey led me to 'Coming of Age,'" Provan said. 

"While I knew I wanted to write about certain joys, fears and rites of passage, I did extensive research into how cultures around the world and throughout history have dealt with getting older. What was surprising was how much of myself I found in my characters, not just American teenagers but everyone from the Spartan warrior to the modern day housewife. In bringing them to life, I discovered that it doesn’t happen all at once. We keep growing up, leaping forward when we least expect it."

Tickets may be purchased by going to the "Coming of Age" page on the NYMF website or by calling 212-352-3101.