Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book?!” - Free Panel Discussion at Island City Stage

Island City Stage will hold a special “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book?!” free interactive panel discussion on April 18 at 4 p.m., following the 2 p.m. matinee performance of Everything Beautiful Happens at Night.

Emmy Award-winning journalist and theatermaker Ariel Cipolla will lead a timely and thought-provoking discussion exploring the vital role of LGBTQ+ storytelling in children’s literature. Through personal insights and candid dialogue with acclaimed author Rob Sanders, director of KidLit for the Seymour Agency Joyce Sweeney, and children’s picture book author and editor Matt Tesoriero, theatre-goers will learn about the growing wave of book bans and the cultural debate shaping today’s literary landscape and consider who gets to tell stories, why they matter, and what’s at stake for the next generation. The discussion is free to attend.

Audiences and critics are enchanted by Island City Stage’s East Coast premiere of Everything Beautiful Happens at Night, by Ted Malawer (Red, White, & Royal Blue), and directed by Bruce Linser, a tender, funny, and moving story about the life you have, the life you want, and who stays when the world gets quiet.

The show focuses on Ezra, a closeted children’s book author and Nancy, his fiercely loyal editor. Their creative partnership has shaped stories that delight generations. But when writer’s block pushes Ezra far past deadlines to deliver his latest book, a new voice enters the conversation and begins to change Ezra’s life, inspiring a controversial ending to Chipmunk and Squirrel, and testing the limits of his friendship with Nancy.

Everything Beautiful Happens at Night features an esteemed and talented cast including Carbonell award-nominated Christopher Dreeson as Ezra, multi-Carbonell and Silver Palm award-winner Laura Turnbull as Nancy, and rising star Aidan Paul as Jake. The thoughtful, charming illustrations that serve as the play’s backdrop were created by Bong Redila, an award-winning Filipino American illustrator and author based in Miami.

Everything Beautiful Happens at Night co-producers are Russell Vance, Michael Mullins and Terry Gaw; Lights and Sound Sponsor is Scott Bennett; Talent Sponsors are Paul Rolli & Bennett Quade and Robert Lee; Costume Sponsors are Rita Cassady and John Colemen; Set Sponsors are Margie & Trevor Fried; and Illustrations Sponsor is DC Allen & Ken Flick No Gay Hate Fund at Our Fund. Additional funding is provided by the following: The Our Fund Foundation, The Schubert Foundation Inc., the SHS Foundation, the Warten Foundation, and OutClique.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.islandcitystage.org, call (954) 928-9800 or email boxoffice@islandcitystage.org. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStage and on Instagram at @islandcitystage.