Pipeline Theatre Company Announces World Premiere Of PLAYING HOT

Pipeline Theatre Company (Ari Schrier, Artistic Director; Natalie Gershtein, Producing Director) is proud to announce the world premiere of jazz concert-party-play hybrid PLAYING HOT, created by Kevin Armento (Balls) and Jaki Bradley (Good Men Wanted). PLAYING HOT is written by Armento, will be directed by Bradley, and will feature music direction by Marcus Miller, and will premiere in early 2019 as part of Pipeline's 10th Anniversary Season.

Set within a brassy dance hall, PLAYING HOT deconstructs the incredible story of the birth of jazz in New Orleans. Retracing the rise and fall of Buddy Bolden, the little-known trumpeter who pioneered the radical sound that would become America's Art Form, the show is neither biography nor period piece, neither play nor musical, but an explosive and innovative theatrical event in the style of jazz. Fueled by a live brass band, Buddy's legend and infectious songs are conjured to life, riffing on history and pop culture the same way his music riffed on the notes.

Pipeline Theatre Company, which will celebrate its 10th Anniversary season in 2019, began developing PLAYING HOT with Armento and Bradley in 2015 as part of their Big Mystery Show program. PLAYING HOT is the first time Pipeline Theatre Company is presenting a work they have overseen from commission to full mainstage production. After months of development and rehearsals, it was presented for one night only in June 2016 at the Gym at Judson as part of the Big Mystery Show program, and then received a workshop presentation in May 2017. PLAYING HOT was also developed in consultation with James Williams and the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys.

A special sneak peek of PLAYING HOT will be presented at Pipeline Theatre Company's Spring Gala on June 3, 2018 at (le) poisson rouge. Gala attendees will get an exclusive first look at performances from PLAYING HOT and the chance to meet the artists involved. For more information on purchasing tickets for the 2018 Spring Gala please visit www.pipelinetheatre.org/tickets.

PLAYING HOT received developmental support as part of the 2016 Artist Residency Program of The Drama League of New York (Roger T. Danforth, Artistic Director, Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director, funded in part by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust), from Pipeline Theatre Company, and through The Habitat Theater Company's Directors Playground. PLAYING HOT was the recipient of a 2015 Jerome Travel and Study Grant and has received support from the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

Pipeline Theatre Company recently presented the world premiere of Folk Wandering, a new musical conceived by Jaclyn Backhaus (Men on Boats) and Andrew Neisler (Clown Bar) and directed by Andrew Neisler. Featuring a book by Backhaus; music by collaborating composers Blake Allen (Boston|Nebraska), Backhaus, Mike Brun (Music Director, Mr. Burns), Andrew R. Butler (Finn the Fearless), Joel Esher (PharmaBro: an American Douchical!), Alex Fast (The Drawer Boy), Jo Lampert (Joan of Arc: Into The Fire), Barrie Mclain (Hundred Days), Annie Tippe (Director, Ghost Quartet), and Dominique Toney ("Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"); and lyrics by Allen, Backhaus, Brun, Butler, Esher, Lampert, McLain, and Tippe, Folk Wandering opened March 2nd and due to popular demand, extended through March 25th at the Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./ New York Theatres.

Pipeline Theatre Company (Artistic Director, Ari Schrier; Producing Director, Natalie Gershtein) believes that an unbridled imagination is a force of magic with the power to provoke a more courageous and compassionate world. Pipeline's most recent productions, CLOWN BAR, THE GRAY MAN, and BEARDO are clear examples of how Pipeline goes big to create spectacular one-of-a-­kind events. CLOWN BAR by Adam Szymkowicz was named a New York Times Critics' Pick and completely sold out it's extended run at The Box. Reviewers called it "a perfect storm of ridiculousness," "unabashedly silly but also shrewd," and added "the team responsible should be hired by everyone for everything all the time immediately." Of Andrew Farmer's THE GRAY MAN, The New York Times said "...so ambitious, the production values are exceptional, if you see a lot of theater, you'll admire the chances it takes." Of Jason Craig and Dave Malloy's BEARDO, Pipeline's most recent production, TheaterMania declared: "...an unforgettable theatrical experience. The score is both tuneful and daring resulting in stunning performances and the most breathtaking first act finale this side of Les Misérables."

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