Off-Broadway's THE MUSHROOM CURE will present a post-show talkback on Thursday, January 18. Written and performed by Adam Strauss and directed by Jonathan Libman, THE MUSHROOM CURE was recently extended through January 27 at Theatre 80 St. Marks. Inspired by a scientific study showing that hallucinogenic mushrooms may cure obsessive-compulsive disorder, Adam Strauss embarked on a program of vigilante psychopharmacology. By turns hilarious and harrowing, THE MUSHROOM CURE recounts the true-life story of Adam's attempt to treat his debilitating OCD with psychedelics.
The post show Talkback on Thursday, January 18 will feature Adam Strauss and Hamilton Morris, the star of Vice TV's Hamilton's Pharmacopeia (as well as a character in THE MUSHROOM CURE). Here, Hamilton and Adam will discuss the varying uses of psychedelics in different societies throughout history and their future role in shamanism, psychiatry, and self-exploration.
THE MUSHROOM CURE is sponsored by The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the leading psychedelic research and advocacy organization. This run is also enabled by a generous grant from the Foundation for Fairer Capitalism.
Adam Strauss is a writer and performer based in NYC. He won the Leffe Craft Your Character Storytelling Competition and is currently penning a memoir based on The Mushroom Cure. He's also a professional stand-up comedian, appearing nightly at many of New York's best comedy clubs, and most of its worst ones. Adam received his B.A. in Psychology from Brown University.
Hamilton Morris began writing for Vice Magazine as a college sophomore and was given a monthly print column titled "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia" that evolved into a series of articles and documentaries focused on the science of psychoactive drugs. Currently he is a science editor of Vice Magazine, star of Vice TV's Hamilton's Pharmacopeia, correspondent for Vice on HBO, as well as a regular science columnist for Harper's Magazine. Morris frequently consults with media on the subject of psychoactive drugs and conducts pharmacological research at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia with an emphasis on the synthesis and history of dissociative anesthetics.
Jonathan Libman is currently directing and writing for Amy Schumer's ensemble company The Collective. As a member of The Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit Jonathan is directing Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale) in Palminteri's new play The Bench, and National Endowment for the Arts recipient David Libman's play The Townhouse, featuring Joey Collins. He recently worked with Christina Masciotti (2016 Guggenheim Fellow) on her play Raw Bacon From Poland, featuring Sean Carvajal (Stephen Aldy Guirgis' Jesus Hoped The A Train). Jonathan is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Dramatic Writing Program. He keeps his inner kid alive and well as the starting shortstop of Hamilton - An American Musical softball team.
THE MUSHROOM CURE first ran in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, garnering widespread acclaim before debuting at the New York International Fringe Festival, where it won the Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance. After further development, it was presented for a 4-week run at The Cherry Lane Theater in the summer of 2016, followed by an 11-week run at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco.
THE MUSHROOM CURE runs January 18-20 and 25-27 at 7:30pm. Theatre 80 St. Marks is located at 80 St. Marks at the corner of 1st avenue - accessible from the #6 train at Astor Place or the R/W at 8th street. Tickets are $35, available from OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or www.TheMushroomCure.com.
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