Aug 11, 2023, 12:49 PM

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Both comedy and drama are woven into the plot of "A Tailor Near Me," a world premiere play in performances at New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch. 

Set in a tailor shop where a customer, Sam, comes in to have a pair of pants let out only to strike up a conversation with the tailor, Alfredo. Sam shares that he also needs a new suit for the funeral of one of his college buddies who is ill and expected to die soon. When Alfredo convinces Sam to have him custom make the suit, it leads to a series of fittings where the two men begin to talk about their lives.

"I was intrigued by the fact that it was just two characters," says James Pickens Jr. who plays Alfredo. "It's about relationships and how we view ourselves in the world."

Pickens says this is his first performance in a play in nearly 20 years, since he created the role of Dr. Richard Webber on the long running television drama "Grey's Anatomy." 

Co-star Richard Kind as Sam is also known for his work in film and television, including "Curb Your Enthusiasm, "Spin City" and "Mad About You."

He says of his character, "I (Sam) think all of a sudden that this is not just a man of worth but it's a man to cherish and keep in your life. And that means I want to make a friend." 

But the two characters do not exactly see eye to eye on becoming friends. Sam invites Alfredo and his wife over to dinner, but Alfredo resists the invitation. A family matter that he tries to keep private is hanging over him and changing his and his wife's lives. 

"A Tailor Near Me" is written by playwright and actor, Michael Tucker, best known for starring as attorney Stuart Markowitz on the drama, "L.A. Law."

New Jersey Repertory Company has staged several of Tucker's plays. More information about the play is available at njrep.org.

Watch a conversation with James Pickens, Jr. about his role on "Grey's Anatomy" below: