Stewed Productions is thrilled to present the NYC premiere of ANXIETY STEW, written and directed by David Kelly. ANXIETY STEW begins performances on Monday, June 11 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 17. The performance schedule is Monday - Wednesday & Friday at 8:30 PM; Saturday at 3:30 PM & 8:30 PM; Sunday at 3:30 PM. Performances are at the Cherry Lane Theatre Studio (38 Commerce Street, between Barrow and Bedford). Tickets are $35 - $40. Tickets are available by calling Ovation Tix at 866-811-4111 or by visiting http://www.cherrylanetheatre.org.
After a sold-out benefit performance at the brand new Hackensack Performing Arts Center (NJ) to raise money for children with special needs, ANXIETY STEW moves Off Broadway to the
Cherry Lane Theatre.
It's "Groupon Day" in the Upper West Side office of a struggling hippie psychologist specializing in anxiety, attracting an odd assortment of prospective clients seeking treatment for peculiar gastric maladies. The diverse clientele expresses their unique woes in song, ranging from swing to rap, country, pop, rock, Cuban folk, and reggae. In the end, a very different and unexpected technology determines the fate of the psychologist's practice.
Unique in making food its centerpiece, the 'stew' represents the richness of cultural diversity but at the cost of recurring anxieties. The show serves up a massive smorgasbord of cannolis, spaghetti & meatballs, hot dogs, provolone cheese, 28+ hors-d'oeuvres, a buffet with barbecued ribs, a casserole, and birthday cake to represent the American 'melting pot.'
ANXIETY STEW is spiced with protests, counter-protests, American capitalistic boldness, and generational strains caused by the technological incompatibility between "the olds" and Millennials. All of these dynamics are further seasoned by upbeat and catchy tunes that leave a sweet aftertaste.
ANXIETY STEW features a cast of young, professional actors hungry to take their bite of the Big Apple and a seasoned band consisting of Bleecker Street veterans and urban gourmets.
The cast features Nevada Brandt, Mallory Campbell, Scott Duell,
Camilo Estrada, John Furey, Alden Gagnon, Nicole Pietrangelo, and
Jason Tyler Smith.
Joining the cast onstage is a live band featuring Steve Olejarczyk (founding member of and co-songwriter for Then Omaha) on guitar; Greg Koerner (Gent Treadly) on bass; Jack Kline on drums/percussion; Andrew Whitbeck on keyboards (Tues, Wed, Fri, Sun); and
Camille Johnson on keyboards (Mon, Sat).
Colleen Doherty is the lighting designer.
David Kelly's (writer/director) music career began in the late 80's as a co-founder of and co-songwriter for Then Omaha, an original rock band that played in just about every small venue in NYC, including CBGB, and was reviewed in Rolling Stone. In addition to prolific songwriting, Dave expanded into poetry and ultimately musical theater. He received a BA from Colgate University.
