Sometime Child: a Reclamation and a Redemption at Theater for the New City

"Sometime Child: a Reclamation and a Redemption" by Richard Bruce, directed by Eric Oleson.The tale of a unique relationship between a successful divorce lawyer and two young, troubled but gifted "at risk" youths who have mugged him. The play begins when a successful lawyer named John is mugged by two high school dropouts. He wakes up in the hospital only to find that one of his assailants, a young man named Clarence, works as a janitor on the night shift. Partly to distract himself from his pain and partly from a growing admiration for the youth, the lawyer becomes his mentor. He subsequently provides an educational scholarship for the young man. Clarence thrives in the mentorship, but uneasily: he fears being exposed for his role in the holdup. After his recovery, John ironically becomes a pro-bono lawyer for Bobby, who was Clarence's meaner, more conniving partner in the mugging. Bobby stands trial for a warehouse robbery, for which he is convicted. Subsequently on parole, he seeks out the author whose "you can change your life" letters have inspired him. The complication is: the inspiring writer was John! We watch as their unusual relationships fill the gaps in all three men's lives. There are life lessons to be found in this play about clashing cultures and the unlikely friendships that can break down socio-economic and racial divides.February 10 to 20, 2022Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. (at E. 10th Street)Presented by Theater for the New CityThursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM plus matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM.Tickets $18 gen. adm., $12 seniors and studentsBox office (212) 254-1109, www.theaterforthenewcity.netRuns 1:50 plus intermissionShow's website: www.sometimechild.com