Elephant Run District's AMERICAN GUN SHOW to Play 59E59, July 25-27

59E59 presents an Elephant Run District production: American Gun Show, written and performed by Chris Harcum and directed by Aimee Todoroff with stage manager Heather Olmstead. The theater is located at 59 East 59th Street, part of the East to Edinburgh Festival, and the production will run: Thursday, July 25 at 9 p.m.; Friday, July 26 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, July 27 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15; 59E59 members, $10.50. For more information, visit www.elephantrundistrict.org or www.59e59.org.

Love/hate America? So does Chris Harcum. Statistically, one in five Americans owns a gun. Everyday occurrences can erupt into hilarity or danger. It's enough to make you question whether it's safe to go to the theatre. Brecht meets stand-up in this solo show confrontation of violence in the land of Ted Nugent Disease. Not only will you laugh a lot, but you'll be reminded that you are alive.

With eerie timeliness given the current heated debate over gun control raging in America post the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary and Aurora Colorado shootings, American writer and performer Chris Harcum brings American Gun Show to 59E59's East to Edinburgh Festival and this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The one man show, which debuts at 59E59 July 25 to 27 and the Gryphon Venues' G2 space from Aug. 2 to 24, sees writer and performer Chris Harcum journey through the effects gun ownership - legal or otherwise - has on the land which fiercely upholds its constitutional right to bear arms in the belief that it protects the American people's right to happiness, freedom and safety.

From the start of the performance the fourth wall dissolves as audiences are pulled straight into the center of this 60-minute tour-de-force by its unexpected and unpredictable opening. Marrying the observational with real-life experience Harcum takes the audience through a thoughtful, funny and not-so funny journey into the world and psyche of the American gun owner. Seemly unscripted, the show explores the consequences of America's gun culture through stark yet engaging storytelling of how simple and complex everyday occurrences can unfold into full-on violence; from the gun slinging days or yesteryear, unresolved feuds, to the everyday choices some make resulting in the slaying of the innocent and the not so innocent.

Of the piece Chris Harcum said, "In bringing American Gun Show to Edinburgh, I wanted to reveal and share more subtle shadings of the American character and the gun debate we are currently having. Beyond the good, the bad and the ugly, there are many imponderables. What happens when trust is eroded and it is no longer safe to go to the theatre or to school? Can change happen when the government is by the corporations and not the people? Are we on the verge of a more sensible era or throwing ourselves back to the days of the Wild West? Also, I want to crack people up and remind them that they are alive."

Elephant Run District is a collective devoted to challenging expectations, inspiring dialogue in our community and creating long-lasting memories. ERD seeks to entertain its audiences while addressing issues that affect our society. The District is a place where traditions collide and new possibilities are explored in the hunt to create stories that are ultimately human. Most recently, Elephant Run District produced Brecht in the Park and 10 Stampede Labs at the Living Theatre and the Chain Theatre to cross-pollinate New York's indie theater territory and pay homage to Off Off's history. Over 25 indie theater companies and 100 artists shared their work through this unique theatrical experience. www.elephantrundistrict.org

Chris Harcum (Performer and playwright): is pleased to making his debuts at 59E59 and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He has been a staple of the downtown NYC theatre scene for the last ten years. Six of his solo shows (and a one-act) have been published on Indie Theatre Now. Chris was named one of NYTheatre's People of the Year in 2011. He serves as the Executive Director for Elephant Run District and as Managing Director for the League of Independent Theater. www.chrisharcum.com.

Aimee Todoroff (Director): is an award winning actress and director, who has been a part of several Obie Award winning productions, performing in the Peculiar Works Project's Off Stage-the East Village Fragments and directing Green for the Metropolitan Playhouse's 2010-2011 Season. Aimee has directed the world premieres of works by Cusi Cram, Daisy Foote and Chris Harcum, including Green, We Haven't Told Anyone About This Yet and Rabbit Island, named a Backstage Magazine's Critic's Pick. Aimee is currently pursuing her MFA in Directing at Southampton Arts and is proud to be the Artistic Director of Elephant Run District. www.aimeetodoroff.org.

Heather Olmstead (Stage manager) is the Production Manager of Elephant Run District. She has worked at a handful of theaters in Ohio as well as with La Mama E.T.C., Metropolitan Playhouse, Sink or Swim Rep, The Frigid Festival, The Fringe Festival and Theatre Askew's Youth Performance Experience in NYC. Independent theatre nourishes her soul. www.heatherolmstead.com.

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