Gorilla Productions present the play, about a copy editor for Rolling Stone who sees a chance to give exposure to what he views as quality music. Billed as an "acerbic new comedy." Corporate Rock "rails against pop music culture." Opening is July 12.
Timothy Haskell (Road House) directs a cast that includes Travis York, Dorian Missick (of the forthcoming remake of "The Manchurian Candidate"), Natalia Hernandez, Charles Jang, Gerry Sheridan and Jamie Benge, Aaron Haskell, Kellie Arens and Nick Arens.
"At Rolling Stone Magazine 30-year-old copy editor Dylan can't get any of his own esoteric pieces on worthy, but obscure, alternative rock bands published by the magazine's brass," according to production notes. "When pretty boy Nathaniel, the hottest scribe at the 'zine (who prefers Britney Spears to real music), gets abducted by the French mafia for gambling debts, Dylan spots an opportunity to change the face of the modern music industry — or at least the direction of the magazine he once worshipped. After concocting an elaborate ruse to implant his own stories into Nathaniel's columns, Dylan soon finds himself in dire straits as the minions of the corporate overworld, and criminal underworld close in around him."
Director Haskell said in a statement, "This play has a rebellious rock attitude about art consumerism that really appeals to me. I want to emphasize that in the staging. I plan on evoking the spirit of seeing a rock concert with the lights, costumes and tons of loud rock music. Plays aren't done like this."
Playwright Will Bennett worked as a journalist and freelance writer in New York for several years before earning his Master of Arts in Writing for Performance at the University of London. The rest of the artistic team includes Paul Smithyman (sets), Nick Hohn (lights), Sarah Iams (costumes), DeeAnn Weir (fight choreography), Vincent Olivieri (sound) and Rebeca Ramirez (dance choreography).
The Corporate Rock creative team includes Paul Smithyman (set design), Nick Hohn (light design), Sarah Iams (costume design), DeeAnn Weir (fight choreography), Vincent Olivieri (sound design) and Rebeca Ramirez (choreography).
The Blue Heron Arts Center is at 123 E. 24th Street. Performances play Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.
Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling Smarttix at (212) 868-4444 or at www.smarttix.com.
