Photo Flash: Slammer! at FringeNYC

Slammer!, a new women-in-prison musical, will make its world premiere as part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival from August 20 - 25 at The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.  Slammer! features a book, music and lyrics by Texas writing-team, StEve Adams and Chan Chandler.

"Tabitha, a sheltered and naive girl is wrongfully thrown into a women's prison for a drug deal she did not commit. There she must learn to survive through her wits as she deals with two rival gangs of inmates as well as the evil Warden Eva Danka and Smiley, the predatory prison guard. Discovering her inner strength, Tabitha gains power and stature with the inmates until finally she leads them in revolt," states press notes, "Oh yes, there will be singing and dancing; before, during and after the revolt."

Slammer! plays Monday, August 20 at 9PM; Thursday, August 23 at 5PM; Friday, August 24 at 8:30PM; and Saturday, August 25 at 1PM.

For tickets ($15) visit www.FringeNYC.org or call 212-279-4488 or 888-FringeNYC.  The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place, New York.

The designers are Casey McClellan (lighting), Kim Chandler (scenery), Jacob Climer (costumes) and Thomas Bergeron (sound).  Adams and Chandler have taken the diverse and multicultural musical styles of their native Texas (Blues, Rock and Roll, Gospel) and built a compelling and high energy theatrical score.

The cast includes Saverio Guerra as Smiley the Screw, Sandra Reaves-Phillips as Reverend Mama, and Merrill Grant as Tabitha; with Tammi Cubilette, Tess Paras, Ariela Morgenstern, Courtney Wissinger, Lannyl Stephens, Ben Nowell, Heather Adair, Gisela Adisa and Juson Williams.

Photo courtesy Winker

Merrill Grant as Tabitha and Sandra Reaves-Phillips as Reverend Mama in the world premiere of Slammer! at FringeNYC