BOOK CLUB. An original play Written and Directed by David Armanino

A book club meeting in 1953 starts to unravel as recent gossip surrounding Claire's 6-year old son leaks into the conversation and debate surrounding an even more radical piece of popular young adult literature, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. Tensions rise in an unusual, uncomfortable display of a sugar-coated war of subtext and banter between these 5 society women. Claire must find a way to stand up for her son and herself, without alienating her family from the entire neighborhood. Flipping between 1953 and Claire's earlier years in the late 1940's, the story shows a woman who was born too early trying to survive in suburban America during the era of the Cold War, and begs the question: What happens when our society fails to protect our children's innocence? And when, or why, does a mother cross the line of protection?

Cast
Kelsey Lake as Claire Gardner
Carly McKee as Bridgette Campbell
Chris Harral as Dan Gardner
Gabe Armentano as Jimmy Hunter
Maribel Cabrera as Ann Menken
Sherie Ouellet as Betty Reed
Melissa Bowley as Sally Russel
Team
Written and Directed by David Armanino
Assistant Directed by Lauren Flack, Ashley Romans
Stage Manager - Nikila Cranage
Assistant Stage Manager - Natalie Spence
Production Assistant - Brooke Debetties
Production Manager - Dana Greenfield
Casting Assistant - Martha Reutlinger
Design Team
Costume Design by Meghan Condran, asst. Leana Gardella
Set Design by Shane Lowry
Props/Set Dressing by Brooke Van Hensbergen
Sound Design by Margaret Montagna
Hair/Makeup Design by Stefani Vivian
Lighting Design by Justin Heart

Performing April 25-27 at Black Box 311 
140 Williams St. PACE University Performing Arts
Show Times: Fri @ 8:00, Sat @ 2:00 and 6:00, Sun @ 1:00 and 5:00

Studio 501 is a Non-profit, self-funded Student Production Company in the Performing Arts Department at PACE University. The shows produced by 501 do not receive any budgets or funding for their productions.

Why We Need YOU.

We reached our initial goal! THANK YOU to all who have contributed thus far to this new production. We set out to raise $700 to get this production on it's feet, and we have acomplished that goal in an incredibly short time! 

So now, why still contribute to BOOK CLUB?

We are setting a new goal for ourselves of $3,500, so that we can take this show to the next level and give it a full-fledged New York Premier in an Off or Off-Off Broadway Venue.

So where exactly are your donations going now? They are going toward things like:

-Rehearsal Space Rental
-Venue Rental
-Actor Stipends
-Full Production Costs
-Publicity and Marketing

And many more expenses that go into the production of a new work. Theater is not cheap, but with your help we can bring a completely original play to the NY stage scene in the coming year.

Why?

         Why? Why donate to this play? Why is this play even a play?

         I'm glad you asked. I have been writing for years, since I was young. An appreciation and love for the literary arts was passed down to me at a young age by my mother (an editor and English teacher), and nurtured through my high school years. The books I read as I grew up shaped how I see the world - how I live my life every day. Books like The Catcher In The Rye. This play is an homage to that love of Literature, and a lot of other things that I have become fascinated with over my 20 years: the end of WWII and Cold War Era in the United States, the struggle of women born into incredibly strict patriarchal societies, the effects of war on an entire nation of young men, how women interact with each other, how far mothers will go to protect their children, how far they should go. But most importantly: why did family life in our nation fail at a time of such prosperity, economic growth, and ingenuity? Why was something broken seen as such a shining example? What was going on underneath the veneer? These questions are why I wrote this play about a woman just trying to survive. Because I still have these same questions about aspects of our society now, in 2014.
        There was an underlying fear, inherent to every American's life in 1953, of the other. There is still this fear in many of us. My play explores these fears through the eyes of that most-relatable character in each of our lives: a mother. I'd love if you would help us face and explore these fears too.

The best part??? The show itself is completely FREE to see! That's right, Studio 501 is an ENTIRELY donation-based production company, and never charges a ticket price at the door. Creating new and exciting theater for students and outside audiences alike to enjoy for FREE! So your donations are also making it possible for those less fortunate to see a night of original live theater that they may not have been able to afford otherwise. So pat yourself on the back! (but only if you've donated already. Otherwise keep that hand where it is.)
        But don't worry! In addition to knowing that you have done a good deed by helping a bunch of poor college students produce a new play, each donation comes along with a 'perk', our way of saying 'Thank You'! You can read about the different perks that go along with each donation to the right!

BOOK CLUB. has joined Indigogo's International Women's Day!! As a project that celebrates women, and highlights the struggles of women's rights both in Mid-Century America and today, our campaign has been chosen to be a part of this celebration of International Women's Week March 3rd-8th. What does this mean? That on MARCH 8th for every $25 that our campaign raises, Indigogo will match us with an extra donation of $1. SO if we raise $500 on March 8th, we'll receive an extra $20 from indigogo for supporting women's causes!! how great is that?!

Lastly, Thank You for taking the time to read and learn about our production, and my new play. This is truly a passion project for all involved, and it is your generous contributions that are making it even remotely possible! We hope you will be able to join us for the play's first production in April! Ticket and Reservation info coming SOON. 

MORE IMAGES FROM BOOK CLUB.