Rattlestick Announces Casting For World Premiere Of LOCKDOWN

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater has announced casting and other details for the World Premiere of Lockdown by Cori Thomas (Citizens Market, When January Feels Like Summer), directed by Kent Gash (Barbeque). This play, commissioned by Rattlestick with support from the Virginia P. Toulmin Foundation, will begin previews on April 17, 2019 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (224 Waverly Place), with opening night set for May 2 and a limited engagement through May 19, 2019. Tickets are on sale now at www.rattlestick.org.

The cast of Lockdown will include Eric Berryman (The B-Side) as C.O., Curt Morlaye ("Gotham") as Clue, Keith Randolph Smith (Jitney, Fences) as Wise, and Zenzi Williams (School Girls, Henry V) as Ernie.

Lockdown will feature set design by Jason Sherwood (Rent Live!), costume design by Kara Harmon (the Wiz!), lighting design by Dawn Chiang (Zoot Suit), and sound design by Justin Ellington (The House That Will Not Stand). The dramaturg is Ignacia Delgado, the production manager is Jenny Beth Snyder, the technical director is Aaron Gonzalez, and the production stage manager is Genevieve Ortiz.

Lockdown takes an authentic, intimate and powerful look at the impact of long-term incarceration and the reality of what life inside prison is really like. Inspired by Cori Thomas's time with people serving life sentences at San Quentin Prison, Lockdown explores the possibilities for transformation through human connection. Following each performance of Lockdown is a community conversation that creates an opportunity for audiences to discuss the play with guest speakers who have firsthand knowledge and expertise in criminal justice reform. This 25-minute moderated discussion will give the audience an opportunity to expand knowledge, deepen engagement and inspire action that can lead to vital policy changes.

Playwright Cori Thomas discusses her intentions in writing this play: "We need to honor these remarkable men I've come to know and care about, and their very great and resilient spirit, and ability to live meaningful lives despite terrible and unfair circumstances. I am inspired to attempt to make sure that their dignity and resolve to return back to a society that has never given them a fair chance is paid attention to and understood. One of the men once said to me, 'I wish people on the outside saw us as individuals.' My wish to make his wish come true drives this play and my continued efforts on behalf of the millions of men, mostly of color, spending their entire lives, incarcerated, with very little hope of freedom."

Rattlestick, in association with ShadowCatcher Entertainment, is partnering with Drama Club, The Fortune Society, NYC Together, PEN America Prison and Justice Writing Program, Project Liberation, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, and other Community Partner Organizations focused on criminal justice reform to design an in-depth post-show conversation series that will take place after every performance of Lockdown. At each performance, the production of Lockdown will be followed immediately by curated conversation with a diverse array of experts, individuals, and artists with unique perspectives on the criminal justice system and criminal justice reform.

Lockdown was commissioned by Rattlestick Playwrights Theater with support from The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, and developed at the O'Neill Playwrights Conference. Lockdown is supported by The David Rockefeller Fund, The Tow Foundation, and The SHS Foundation.

The performance schedule for Lockdown is as follows: Mondays, Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 2pm. There will be no performance on Thursday, April 18. There will be additional 2pm performances on Fridays, May 10 and 17. Rattlestick will host a Pay-What-You-Can performance on May 8.

Tickets for Lockdown are $45, with premium tickets for $60, student/senior/artist tickets for $20. Rush tickets will be available for $10 at the Box Office immediately prior to the performance (see Rattlestick's website for more info). Tickets can be purchased at www.rattlestick.org or by phone at 212-627-2556. Standard ticketing fees apply to all orders.

Subscriptions for the 2018/19 Rattlestick season are $99 for returning members, and $125 for new members. Rattlestick memberships include a choice premium seat for Mainstage and Apprentice shows, discounted guest tickets, unlimited ticket exchanges (subject to availability), advance notice, and discount offers to readings, special events, and more.