OBSERVANCE Comes to FringeNYC

Coming soon to The New York International Fringe Festival is Observance by Elyssa Nicole Trust, directed by Susanna Wolk (Waitress, Lobby Hero on Broadway). Observance aims to break down stereotypes about Orthodox Jews and bridge the gap between observant and secular Jews so we can accept one another regardless of how we live our daily (Jewish) lives.

In Observance Gabby Goldblum is a hard-partying college student with a painful past and an anger problem. She says goodbye to her loving but overbearing family as she heads off to study abroad in Jerusalem (with weed cookies in hand). Though she initially clashes with her Orthodox roommate who has had little exposure to the secular world, Gabby rapidly begins to find meaning and healing in Judaism. She transitions full-throttle into a Ba'al Teshuvah, a non-religious Jewish person who returns to G-d and becomes traditionally observant. Her new observance creates shockwaves with her parents and boyfriend who have difficulty understanding her new lifestyle.

The cast features Lauren Schaffel (Will and Grace), Chris Stahl (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Scott Klavan (Irena's Vow on Broadway), Sue Berch (A Christmas Carol at The Triangle Theater), Elyssa Nicole Trust (the dreamer examines his pillow at 13th Street Rep), Harrison Friedman (The Killing of the Snow Fox at American Theater of Actors), and Elana Gantman (Sweet Beginnings at The Mint Theater). It is produced by David De Almo (Mike Birbiglia's Lortel Nominated Thank God for Jokes and Oh, Hello).

Elyssa Nicole Trust's work as a playwright has previously appeared at Planet Connections Theatre Festivity where she was nominated for Best Playwright and Outstanding Actress in a Play. Observance is her first play at FringeNYC.

Observance will play Saturday 10/13 at 2:15pm, Sunday 10/14 at 12:30pm, Monday 10/15 at 7pm, Thursday 10/18 at 7pm, and will close with a final performance on Sunday, 10/21 at 9:15pm as a part of Fringe NYC at 685 Washington Street (At Charles Street) in the West Village. Tickets are $22 at http://www.fringenyc.org/basic_page.php?ltr=O#Observ.

For more information about Observance, visit https://www.observancetheplay.com

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