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THE BOOKS Makes World Premiere At NY Int'l Fringe Fest At The Cherry Pit 8/14-8/27

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IMPERFECT PEOPLE is pleased to announce the world premiere production of Michael Edison Hayden?s THE BOOKS, directed by Matt Urban. THE BOOKS will be performed as part of The New York International Fringe Festival at The Cherry Pit (155 Bank Street.)

An offbeat love story of a professional dominatrix, Mistress Chimera, and her agoraphobic client, Mark, THE BOOKS chronicles the unique development of their relationship. After Mark loans Helen a copy of James Joyce?s Dubliners, their personal relationship deepens, complicating their sadomasochistic rituals. Before the couple can truly fall in love, they both must accept that some people may never fit into society.

Hayden's play humanizes sadomasochism. Through both dark and light comedy, the play explores a side of sexuality that is still considered taboo. The play is simple and frank; like Albee?s Zoo Story did with homosexuality in 1960, it examines the unseen lives of the perceived misfits of today?s culture, struggling to find their place.

The production stars Aadya Bedi (The Culture Project: Betrayed, Manhattan Theater Club: The American Pilot) as Mistress Chimera, Scott David Nogi (Nicu?s Spoon: Elizabeth Rex, Richard III) as Mark O'Connor, and Bradley Anderson as Ricky Rectangle.

The production features costume design by Shaumyika Sharma and lighting design by David Roy. Amanda Crater is the assistant director and Benjamin Kessler is the dramaturg.

THE BOOKS
plays the following schedule:

Friday, August 14th at 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18th at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19th at 5:15 p.m.
Monday, August 24th at 12:45 p.m.
Thursday, August 27th at 7:45 p.m.

Tickets are $15

For Information / Tickets visit:
www.FringeNYC.org
or call 866-468-7619
www.imperfectpeople.com

90 minutes, no intermission.

MICHAEL EDISON HAYDEN (Playwright) is an American-Egyptian playwright, and a graduate of the Iowa Writer?s Workshop. His work has been developed, or produced at New York Theatre Workshop, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, Cherry Lane, The Flea, Westbeth Theatre, and is represented by Morgan Jenness at Abrams Artists Agency in New York.

MATT URBAN (Director) is a graduate of NYU?s Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied directing at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School (PHTS). Past collaborations with Imperfect People include How Do You Sleep at Night? (reading), A Light Behind the Curtain (Access Theater), A Quiet Homily (manhattantheatresource), Mamma?s Boy (café at WestBeth Theater Center) and Imperfect People (NYU/GAP). Other directing credits: Radioactive ? Idioteque (Cutting Room), Equus (UrbanStages/PHTS). Sound: Rip Me Open (Galapagos), Little Man (Ohio Theater), Velvet Ropes (Fringe Festival), Single Bullet (Currican Theater) and RALPH (Wings Theater), Maybe I Could Get Laid in Jail (Collective: Unconscious), Burning Down to Heaven (Theatorium).

THE IMPERFECT PEOPLE are dedicated to revitalizing modern theater by bringing intelligent, language-driven, topical plays to the popular audience.

 

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best New Musical - Top 3
1. The Lost Boys
39.4% of votes
2. Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
26% of votes
3. Schmigadoon!
21.8% of votes

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