The acclaimed off-Broadway play The Bench: A Homeless Love Story, which originally ran in New York City and is currently running in Los Angeles, is offering a one-time screening to benefit the Research Foundation to Cure AIDS (https://www.researchfoundationtocureaids.org), produced by Stage Network. Encompassing some of the myriad causes of homelessness, the play was filmed by director Tyler Milliron, and can be streamed 24/7 at any time on Stage Network. The film version of the play is the director’s vision, and a brilliant mash-up of shots on the street and in the theatre. It was filmed in part along the East River and under the FDR. Here’s a teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IuDxzNmDvE.
Based on true stories, Robert Galinsky‘s compassionate play about five homeless people in 1986 New York City amid the crack cocaine epidemic and onset of AIDS is infused with insight, humor, pathos, and humanity. The Los Angeles Times wrote of it, “The Bench is slice of life carved from the lower depths. Galinsky brings a wrenching realism to his material.” Galinsky has the ability to transform himself into various types of characters, evoking the versatility of Anna Deavere Smith and the intense acting power of James Gandolfini. Director Jay O. Sanders is beloved as an actor, and equally adept at directing this colorful, wrenching journey into other people’s lives. For a more in-depth dive into the play and Robert Galinsky: https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/the-bench-a-homeless-love-story-a-needed-play-right-now/.
And definitely visit The Bench’s website for a trove of images, video, and more information: https://thebenchplay.com/.
The set designs by artist Daphne Arthur are as unique and beautiful as the play itself. You can purchase her exquisite fine art prints from her graphic novel based on the play, and her scenic designs here at https://fineartamerica.com/art/galinsky+the+bench. Buy her incredible graphic novel based on The Bench play, too: https://daphnearthur.com/section/440920-The-Bench.html.
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SCREENING INFORMATION:
Thursday, December 5th, 2019
Doors open at 6:30pm. Screening 7-8 pm, followed by a post-screening mixer and brief Q & A session.
Suggested donation is $20 or pay what you can.
Bennett Media Studios
723 Washington Street
New York, NY 10014
Order tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bench-a-homeless-love-story-benefit-screening-in-nyc-for-rftca-tickets-79991467633
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The next one-person shows for The Bench in Los Angeles are November 18 and November 19 at the Hudson Guild Theatre. Purchase tickets here: https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=5065.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see The Bench screening! It’s well worth it.
