Post-Play Talkbacks Announced For A PUNK OR A GENTLEMAN At TNC

For National Mental Health Month, four post-play panel discussions have been set for "A Punk or a Gentleman" by Andrea J. Fulton, which will be presented for its world premiere by Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC from May 3 to 20. The play explores the complex psyche of a Black, middle-aged Don Juan who loves to captivate women but falls victim to physical abuse by the women he loves. The ten-character drama will be directed by Kymbali Craig for its world premiere. Ms. Fulton was awarded the 2017 Thomas Barbour Award by the Episcopal Actors' Guild for this play.

The play's story is totally imaginary, but it is instructive. It centers on a philandering lady's man named Darren, a spoken word artist and postal worker, who is too sensitive for his own good. He is married for the fourth time and exhibits a selflessness, and also a simultaneous selfishness and recklessness, that cause women in his life to lose respect for him. He is meant to exemplify the Black male who surrenders control of his life and makes himself a target for domestic abuse. We learn in flashbacks that Darren's mother had physically abused him to toughen him up. Now, his behavior is crafted to evoke the same behavior in the women he loves. Conflicts between Darren and his current wife invoke the intervention of an adult protective agent, summoned by a neighbor.

Author Andrea J. Fulton explains that the legacy of maternal abuse in the Black community, as it affects a man, is almost never discussed. It is disturbing, sad and powerful because it is such an anomaly. The age of #MeToo has not produced an openness toward this matter. Despite its urgency as a public health issue, there are no websites devoted to domestic abuse of men. Fulton is hopeful that the play may draw attention to these issues during May, which is National Mental Health Month.

Friday, May 4, 2018 (following 8:00 performance)

Mr. Brett A. Scudder, Mental Health Advocate & Founder of SISFI, Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Ms. Maria Luna, Crime Victim Advocate, Safe Horizon victim assistance organization.

Police Officer Name TBD, NY Police Department, Domestic Violence Unit.

Friday, May 11, 2018 (following 8:00 performance)

Ms. Maria Luna, Crime Victim Advocate, Safe Horizon victim assistance organization.

Police Officer Name TBD, NY Police Department, Domestic Violence Unit.

Minister Kevin Taylor, Word of Faith Ministries.

Saturday, May 12, 2018 (following 8:00 performance)

Mr. Brett A. Scudder, Mental Health Advocate & Founder of SISFI, Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Evangelist Lynette Shelbourne-Barfield, St. John Baptist Church of Arverne Queens, NY.

Friday, May 18, 2018 (following 8:00 performance)

Mr. Brett A. Scudder, Mental Health Advocate & Founder of SISFI, Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Ms. Maria Luna, Crime Victim Advocate, Safe Horizon victim assistance organization.

Police Officer Name TBD, NY Police Department, Domestic Violence Unit.

Evangelist Lynette Shelbourne-Barfield, St. John Baptist Church of Arverne Queens, NY.

The production's playing schedule is: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Tickets are available at: (212) 254-1109 and online at www.theaterforthenewcity.net; for group sales call 718-812-4252.