Sharon Krome Presents the World Premiere of THROATPUNCH

2017 Northwestern Graduate, Chicago playwright Sharon Krome presents the World Premiere of her play, ThroatPunch in association with Nothing Without a Company, running from May 8th to June 3rd.

The production will be held at the Chicago Mosaic School. A trio of misfits try to survive Reagan-Era politics, the evolving Chicago punk scene, police violence, and each other in this music-studded world premiere.

Cast & Crew:
Our talented cast features: Tarina Bradshaw (Cyn), Adam Huizenga (Zig), and A licia Winton (Nat). Our motley crue of crew include: Sharon Krome (writer, co-producer, marketing), Anna Rose Ii-Epstein (director, co-producer), McKenzie Wilkes (stage manager), Ivori Skye (Assistant Director), and Devonte Washington (Lighting Designer) . Bands featured: The Effigies, Naked Raygun, Bad Brains, and Black Flag.

About ThroatPunch :
1983: Chicago punk has finally caught up to the coasts. In the brutal time of Reagan politics, police violence, and the looming threat of nuclear war (sounds familiar right?) a trio of 'friends' try to navigate the punk scene. Tensions quickly emerge as Zig, the leader of the group and proud British punk attempts to transform Cyn, a Georgetown transplant, and Nat, a conservative Jewish girl from Skokie, into proper punks.

Friendships are strained as the genre takes a turn towards hardcore and the mentor becomes more abrasive than enlightening. Is this friendship deeper than liking the same bands? Will it survive these uncertain times? Channel your inner Iggy and find out!

Statement from playwright, Sharon Krome:

I don't come from a theater community. Growing up, listening to music with friends was the most 'cultured' it would get. Theater seemed like this intimidating place - a place I assumed I didn't belong in. Then I had a playwriting class with Thomas Bradshaw - where he taught me that theater can be vibrant and challenging. ThroatPunch is designed to reach those who are usually found at Schubas on a Friday night - who haven't been drawn to theater before . With ThroatPunch , I want to prove that theater can be affordable, inclusive, and unpretentious. This site-specific play combines traditional structure with live music while recreating that youthful feeling of connecting to a new favorite song.

Though set in 1983, the Reagan-era politics and police brutality eerily parallel today's tense socio-political climate. Punk emerged out of a longing for community. In our fractured time of technology, social media, and volatile politics, I believe themes like isolation and a deep need for community are relevant now more than ever. You don't have to be a 'punk' to appreciate good music, activism, and the struggle of finding true friendship. ThroatPunch is my way of illuminating that.

Statement from director, Anna Rose Ii-Epstein:

When I was younger my friends would put on punk or metal and I'd put my hands to my ears and ask, "what are they saying? I don't get it. Why are they so mad?" This coming from a privileged jewish white girl whose dad was the #1 bar & bat mitzvah DJ in Houston, Texas. So I was as surprised as you are that I married a Hawaiian punk rocker. She slowly introduced me to the different subgenres and talked to me about the history of punk. And once I learned, my ears started to get it. I could hear the music differently. It was yelling but it was also expressing emotions through music that is not able to be expressed in text in the oppressive society we live in.

When I read this play I was shocked at how current it is even though it takes place in the 80's. There are some real world problems including drug addiction, cop violence, and loneliness in the play plus the mix of site-specific storytelling and live music. It carries its own tune. It's engaging. It's punk. I've come to appreciate punk not only as music but as a lifestyle and I am honored and thrilled to be directing Sharon Krome's very first play, ThroatPunch.

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