• PRODUCERS / GENERAL MANAGERS
    NEW YORK / LONDON

  • PERRY STREET THEATRICALS
    1650 Broadway, Suite 700 | New York, NY 10019
    212 367-7106 (O) | 212 767-7106 (F)

A DANGEROUS PERSONALITY

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Perry Street Theatre presents the World Premiere of
A DANGEROUS PERSONALITY
A New Play by Sallie Bingham, Directed by Martin Platt

Julia Miles Theater (Women’s Project)
424 West 55th Street (west of 9th Avenue)
Running Time: 2 hrs and 15 min., including one 10 min. intermission

She explored Tibet, fought with Garibaldi, rode across India on the back of an elephant, was friends with Thomas Edison – a terror to the establishment, and a nightmare to the British Raj. Russian-born spiritualist and philosopher Helena Blavatsky lived everywhere from London to India to Hell’s Kitchen – and was (and remains) one of the most controversial figures in world religion. With her colleague, Henry Steele Olcott, she created Theosophy – the science of religion, The Secret Doctrine – Christ without the Church. Her ideas are as timely and thought-provoking now as then, and her personality and life were imagined on a colossal scale. Sallie Bingham’s new play brings this extraordinary woman, and her story to the stage.

Sallie Bingham’s published books include Transgression, Straight Man, Matron of Honor, Small Victories, After Such Knowledge, and her family memoir Passion & Prejudice. A book of poetry, Hub of the Miracle, was recently published by Sunstone Press. Her latest publication is Red Car, Sarabande Press. Her plays have been produced throughout the country including at NYC’s Women’s Project and Productions and include Milk of Paradise, In the Presence and Hopscotch. Her work has also appeared The Atlantic Monthly, Ms., and The Translantic Review. She is the founder of the Kentucky Foundation for Women.

 

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THIS PRODUCTION:

 

SHYLOCK

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SHYLOCK

Opened January 22nd, 2005 – March 27, 2005
by Gareth Armstrong

In a solo performance that was nominated for a 2004-2005 Outer Critics Circle Award, Gareth Armstrong lifted the veil from The Merchant of Venice. Putting the play both in the context of its own time and in the greater context of the history of the negative portrayal of the Jew both on stage and off, Armstrong delivered one of the most compelling performances of the season. Assuming the most unlikely role of Tubal, Shylocks’ best and only friend, SHYLOCK confronts and confounds the stereotypes of one of literatures most compelling characters and delivers a performance the Associated Press called: “nothing short of astounding.”

VARIETY:

“Armstrong’s performance invites empathy and awe . . . an actor of consummate craft.”

THE VILLAGE VOICE:

“. . . a taut exploration of Shylock’s legend and its legacy . . . Viewers disappointed by the current soggy, text butchered film adaptation of The Merchant of Venice are hereby urged to hie themselves to this stirring production, as is everyone else.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS:

“His ability to switch characters on the fly and perform multi-character scenes by himself is nothing short of astounding . . .

NY OBSERVER:

Gareth Armstrong’s virtuoso performance in his 80-minute Shylock—which he also wrote—is a marvelous exploration at the Perry Street Theater of the universally debated Jew . . . his actor’s instinctive understanding of the text has much of value to tell us. BACKSTAGE If you think you know Shylock from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” think again. This new solo show, written by and starring Gareth Armstrong, casts a comprehensive look at the controversial character in a behind-the-scenes style that is involving and insightful.

 

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THIS PRODUCTION:

SHYLOCK

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SHYLOCK was the first offering of the Perry Street Theatre Company. A riveting show that reflects the love and understanding of Shakespeare’s genius by skillfully weaving excerpts from The Merchant of Venice with a history of the demonization and anti-Semitism of Jews, conveyed with innovation, humor, wit and delight.

SHYLOCK is a unique exploration of the funny, tragic and often unbelievable life of fiction’s most famous Jew. 

Mr. Armstrong has been performing SHYLOCK around the world for the past six years where it has been called  “a rich, warm and moving portrait of humanity” Dame Judi Dench,  “funny and engaging while at the same time illustrating the deep roots of anti-Semitism.” The Scotsman and  “nothing short of incredible…an exceptional piece of theatre, everyone should see it” Independent on Sunday.

Produced by Martin Platt, David Elliott, Rosalie Beer and Richard Jordan Productions in association with Robert Friedman Presents

Directed by Frank Barrie

Starring Gareth Armstrong

“For anyone who loves Shakespeare, for anyone who loves history, for anyone who loves stirring and powerful theatre, get thee to Shylock.  Fascinating, infuriating, and funny, this play grabs hold of your heart and your mind  and does not let go.” – BROADWAY WORLD.COM

 “Viewers disappointed by the current film adaptation of The Merchant of Venice are hereby urged to get themselves to this stirring production as is everyone else!” – THE VILLAGE VOICE