SHAME BOMB

in Association with NewYorkRep

Benefit Reading Presented by The Twenty Nine Hour Venture

Written by Ed Clark

Directed by Chari Arespacochaga

Friday, May 17th at 7PM

Theatre 3 in Theatre Row

410 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

In the colorful and quirky SHAME BOMB, a grieving President and his scheming Chief of Staff push for gun law reform after the First Lady is shot in a quail hunting accident. Will the glitchy android lover who consoles the widowed President help or hinder the cause? Within the political tapestry of this comedic piece, we find grief inspires activism, absurdity, and unexpected camaraderie among unlikely allies. 

SHAME BOMB will star Ilda Mason (Spielberg’s West Side Story), Jevon Donaldson (CBS’s The Equalizer), Jeffrey Grover (FX/Hulu’s Feud: Capote’s Women), Jacqueline Sydney (MCC Theater’s A Funny Thing Happened…), and Almeria Campbell (The Public Theater’s A Raisin in the Sun). 

TICKETS

Join us for the one night only benefit reading of SHAME BOMB supporting various gun law reform organizations.

In efforts to make theatre more accessible to all, The Twenty Nine Hour Venture is offering free tickets to the performance.

Supporter Tickets are free and limited at 6 tickets per person.

All tickets are general admission. Seats will be on a first-come-first-served basis upon entry; doors open at 6:30PM.

Make a donation to The Brady Center and March for Our Lives as part of the playwright’s dedication to fostering safer communities, as reflected in the narrative of the piece.

CAST & CREATIVE

Starring

Ilda Mason

Jevon Donaldson

Jeffrey Grover

Almeria Campbell

Jacqueline Sydney

Ed Clark (Playwright) has had two productions in his short career (SHAME BOMB in 2019 and The Reset in 2022). His comedy With Us was a semi-finalist in the Tru Voices 2022 Play Reading Series in New York City. Ed has also won awards from the Kentucky Theater Association for his plays Fracked! and Blindsp t. Ed holds a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from the University of Iowa and practices law in Lexington, Kentucky.

Chari Arespacochaga (Director) is a director for theatre, film, special events and concerts. She is a part of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Directors Group. Chari’s theatrical direction credits include Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Kinky Boots, Rent (Winner, 2022 Musical of the Year in Columbus),  World Premiere translations of Fumiko Enchi’s, Restless Night in Late Spring and A Hell of Her Own (HedgePig Theatre Ensemble and May-Yi Theatre), Coin Toss by Alexis Sims (Abingdon Theatre Company), Long Distance Affair (PopUP Theatrics NY, Juggerknot Theatre Company), In The Heights, The Motherf**ker With The Hat, Birthmark (World Premiere), Love’s Labour’s Lost the Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Amadeus, 9 Minutes (PopUP Theatrics NYC) among others. She worked with Susan Stroman on Dot (Vineyard Theatre), and with Jeff Whiting in NYMF’s Single Wide (SDCF). She is a Professor at the School of Theatre of Florida State University. chariarespacochaga.com

NewYorkRep (in Association with) develops and produces new plays and musicals that inspire and compel social change by telling stories that expose our humanity. By illuminating social and ethical questions through art, they strive to create provocative theater that promotes empathy, compassion, and inclusion. In order to increase access to the stories they tell, NewYorkRep, produces content across artistic mediums. Their work has been a Critics Pick of The New York Times, praised in the Los Angeles Times and often noted in The Huffington Post. Their productions have been produced across the country and in London and Sydney. NewYorkRep is a 501(c)(3) organization. www.newyorkrep.org 

The Twenty Nine Hour Venture (Producer): Led by Chad Austin and JV Mercanti, The Twenty Nine Hour Venture provides an artistic space for writers to hear their work -- at whatever stage of the process it is in – produced with the utmost professionalism. Whether it be a play, a musical, or a more experimental theatrical event, they guarantee a reading of the highest caliber. Austin and Mercanti's combined experience as Artistic Directors, Directors, Casting Directors, Producers, and Educators provide artists with all the support needed, at any stage in the development process.

ABOUT THE BENEFIT READING

The runtime of SHAME BOMB Is 90 minutes, no intermission.

Join us for a talkback following the performance!

This talkback will surround how theatre influences change in society and supports important missions such as gun law reform. JV Mercanti will moderate the discussion, with the panel including the playwright, director, members of the cast, and representatives from The Brady Center, March For Our Lives, and NewYorkRep.

PHOTOS

Photography by Grace Copeland

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