OSCAR, TONY, AND PULITZER PRIZE WINNER JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY MAKES NEW YORK DEBUT OF BANSHEE AT THE CHAIN SUMMER ONE-ACT FESTIVAL

August 8th - September 1st, 2024
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT CHAINTHEATRE.ORG

July 18, 2024

New York, NY - July 18, 2024: Chain Theatre, Kirk Gostkowski, Artistic Director, Rick Hamilton, Managing Director, Christina Elise Perry, Director of Development, is pleased to announce the 2024 edition of the CHAIN SUMMER ONE-ACT FESTIVAL, featuring the New York premiere of BANSHEE by award-winning writer John Patrick Shanley, the world debut of the Jesse Eisenberg-produced CATCH by Jeryl Brunner, and two new plays by 2024 ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition grand prize winner Matthew McLachlan. The festival will feature over 50 new plays at the Chain Theatre (312 W 36th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10018). The festival begins Thursday, August 8 and continues through Sunday, September 1. Tickets will be $23 in advance and $26 at the door. More information available at www.chaintheatre.org

Now one of the largest theatre festivals in New York City, The CHAIN SUMMER ONE ACT FESTIVAL will celebrate over 50 plays this summer. The festival is a hub for new work by established and emerging artists. Chain Theatre is once again opening its doors to New York City’s playwrights, actors, and directors for a festival of original works. All productions are carefully curated and designed to create a ‘mix-tape’ of LIVE THEATRE. Past festivals have included original works by Broadway's Lyle Kessler (Orphans) and award-winning actor, and writer Eric Bogosian (AMC’s Interview With The Vampire). Show your support for the arts and join us for an exciting festival of live performances created by the best artists at one of the top independent theatre venues in New York City.

Three highlights of the festival include:

The New York premiere of BANSHEE by John Patrick Shanley. Starring Elizabeth Bays (Off-Broadway SIMPATICO) and Erik Betancourt (Broadway's COST OF LIVING, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY) directed by David Zayas Jr. (Off-Broadway SIMPATICO), BANSHEE is a mystical comedy about a banshee, a fantastical Irish spirit, who pays an ailing teacher a visit and makes him an otherworldly proposal.
Academy Award-nominee Jesse Eisenberg returns to the Chain as the co-producer of CATCH by Jeryl Brunner. Eisenberg and Brunner originally collaborated on the critically acclaimed DILL during the Chain Winter One-Act Festival, which marked Eisenberg’s stage directorial debut. Eisenberg co-produces CATCH with Anna Strout and Barbara Toy.
Lastly, Matthew McLachlan returns to the Chain with two new plays: ONLINE DATES ARE HARD TO HANDLE, directed by David Zayas Jr., and WHO YOU ARE TO ME, directed by Lee Zayas. McLachlan is the 2024 ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition Grand Prize Winner for THIS G*D DAMN HOUSE, which was a world premiere at the Chain Theatre in 2023.

CHAIN SUMMER ONE-ACT FESTIVAL boasts a production team featuring Spencer Giles (Hofstra University Graduate), Uma Rao-Labrecque  (Simpatico), Evie Brandford, Stewart Harrison, and Megan Sophie Gore. Publicity by Katie Rosin, Kampfire PR.

Running Time: 60-90 minutes depending on the program block

Website: www.chaintheatre.org

IG: @chaintheatrenyc FB: ChainTheatre

Media Kit with Photos

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 (Streamers) Past award-winning productions include Hurlyburly by David Rabe, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman, and Talk Radio by Eric Bogosian. Most recent hit productions include A Will to Live, This G*d Damn House, and What Passes for Comedy. Chain Theatre is located at 312 W. 36th Street, 3rd and 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018 For more about the Chain Theatre visit www.chaintheatre.org @chaintheatrenyc