CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ERIC BOGOSIAN’S HUMPTY DUMPTY
An enduring survival story about our dependence on modern technology
CHAIN THEATRE
Proudly Presents the NYC Premiere of
"Stephen King with a dollop of Lord of the Flies.” - New York Times
HUMPTY DUMPTY
When the lights go out, the truth is easy to see…
Written by
ERIC BOGOSIAN
Starring
MARIE DINOLAN | BRANDON HUGHES | KIRK GOSTKOWSKI |
CHRISTINA ELISE PERRY |
| GABRIEL RYSDAH |
Directed by ELLA JANE NEW
FIVE-WEEK LIMITED OFF-BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
APRIL 3 – MAY 3 AT THE CHAIN THEATRE MAIN STAGE
OPENING NIGHT IS SATURDAY, APRIL 5TH AT 7 PM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT CHAINTHEATRE.ORG/HUMPTY-DUMPTY
CHAIN THEATRE is pleased to announce the NYC premiere production of award-winning actor and playwright Eric Bogosian’s HUMPTY DUMPTY, directed by Ella Jane New (New York Times Critics pick macbitches). Set in the year 2000, HUMPTY DUMPTY is a play that explores themes of isolation, survival, and societal breakdown through the lens of a group of friends retreating to a vacation home in upstate New York. It is a powerful metaphor for how easily civilization can fracture under pressure and how individuals react when faced with the unknown.
HUMPTY DUMPTY will play a five-week limited engagement at Off-Broadway’s Chain Theatre Main Stage (312 W. 36th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10018). Performances begin Thursday, April 3, and continue through Saturday, May 3. Opening Night is Saturday, April 5 (7 p.m.). Tickets are $35 and available at chaintheatre.org/humpty-dumpty.
When four friends decide to take a vacation in Upstate New York’s rural ski country, no sooner do they get to their cozy cabin, than the lights go out, their phones stop working, and their comfortable world is turned upside down. What begins as a pleasant break from their urban lives morphs into a trying and ultimately fatal journey down the rabbit hole of survival.
"HUMPTY DUMPTY feels more relevant than ever, making us question the guts of who we are when the world is collapsing around us. Eric Bogosian writes juicy roles for actors, and this piece finely balances the ensemble narrative while taking each character on their own journey. It makes for a great rehearsal process and collaboration,” remarks the director, Ella Jane New.
The production of HUMPTY DUMPTY features an outstanding cast bringing new life to this gripping play. Marie Dinolan (NYTimes Critics Pick macbitches, Theatrely's Best Standout Star) takes on the role of Spoon, the free-spirited actress navigating the unsettling world of an isolated retreat. Gabriel Rysdahl (The Better Sister on Amazon Prime, THIS G*D DAMN HOUSE at Chain Theatre) steps into the role of Troy, a screenwriter whose sharp wit and survival instincts are put to the test. Brandon Hughes (SIMPATICO, Off-Broadway, Chain Theatre; A CRIME TO REMEMBER) plays Nat, the rugged caretaker whose local knowledge proves invaluable as tensions rise. Christina Elise Perry (THIS G*D DAMN HOUSE, NYC Premiere SIX CORNERS) embodies Nicole, a high-powered book editor struggling to maintain control as the world around her begins to unravel. Rounding out the cast is Kirk Gostkowski (World Premiere GARBAGEMAN, TALK RADIO) as Max, a novelist caught between intellectualism and the primal need to survive. Together, this ensemble brings this dark comedy to life.
The production features scenic design by David Henderson, costume design by Rafaella Rossi, and lighting design by Michael Abrams. Greg Russ is the sound designer and Grace Loeb is the stage manager. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.
HUMPTY DUMPTY plays the following regular schedule through Saturday, May 3:
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Fridays at 7 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sundays at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $35 and are now available at chaintheatre.org/humpty-dumpty. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office a half hour prior to performances.
Running Time: 110 minutes (with a ten-minute intermission)
Website: https://www.chaintheatre.org/
BIOGRAPHIES
ERIC BOGOSIAN (Playwright) is the author of plays, solos, and novels, including TALK RADIO, subUrbia, and PERFORATED HEART. He received a Drama Desk award, three Obie awards, and a Guggenheim fellowship. He has also been nominated for the Pulitzer and a Tony award. Bogosian earned the Berlin Silver Bear for writing and starring in the film adaptation of his play TALK RADIO. His historical account of "Operation Nemesis," the death squad that avenged the Armenian Genocide, was published by Little, Brown in 2015. As an actor, Bogosian has starred in LAW & ORDER: CI (NBC), BILLIONS (Showtime), SUCCESSION (HBO), the Safdie brothers' UNCUT GEMS, and most recently INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (AMC) as the interviewer, Daniel Molloy. He produces a website, 100monologues.com, featuring dozens of New York's most vibrant actors. Bogosian is married to director Jo Bonney.
ELLA JANE NEW (Director) is a film and theatre director based in New York City. Director of the critically acclaimed NYTimes Critics Pick macbitches. Her recent credits include DAUGHTER OF THE WICKED at New York City Center; FALLING IN LOVE WITH MR DELLAMORT, with Tony/Emmy winning cast: James Monroe Iglehart, Lena Hall, and Jackie Hoffman for Broadway Podcast Network. Other theatre directing credits include: NYC Premiere of SIX CORNERS by Emmy Nominated Keith Huff (House of Cards, Mad Men, American Crime); Jack Feldstein's THREE MONTHS AT POOK at SOHO Playhouse; QUEEN Z by Michael A. Jones (starring Kara Young/Lucille Lortel nominee); and World Premiere of CHASING THE RIVER by Jean Dobie Geibel and THIS G*D DAMN HOUSE by Matthew McLachlan at Chain Theatre. Ella is the director of the Chain Play Writing Lab.
CHAIN THEATRE always seeks to reflect and react to the world around us. Culturally. Politically. Socially. Audiences can find investment in the work at the Chain because the work is about them, no matter what it might be. It’s a place where artists and audiences can expand their perspectives.
The critically acclaimed Chain Theatre (NYT Critic’s pick MACBITCHES) is a premiere Off-Broadway producing organization in midtown Manhattan. Chain Theatre produced the World Premiere of GARBAGEMAN by Emmy-nominated Keith Huff (A STEADY RAIN, MAD MEN, HOUSE OF CARDS) and has also collaborated with Tony Award winner David Rabe (HURLYBURLY, IN THE BOOM BOOM ROOM) and Eric Bogosian (AN EVENING WITH ERIC BOGOSIAN). Most recent hit World Premiere productions include: THIS G*D DAMN HOUSE (ScreenCraft Grand Prize Winner), A WILL TO LIVE, and WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY.
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Listings Information:
Who: Chain Theatre
What: HUMPTY DUMPTY
Where: Chain Theatre Main Stage (312 W 36th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10018)
When: April 3 - May 3
How: www.chaintheatre.org
When four friends decide to take a vacation in Upstate New York’s rural ski country, no sooner do they get to their cozy cabin, than the lights go out, their phones stop working, and their comfortable world is turned upside down.
