The Flea Theater inaugurates its new performing arts complex with new drama about objectophilia.
August 21 - October 16 at The Flea
Critic's Pick! A "sly and very likable comedy… with a fractured lyricism all its own." -- Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"Sweetly inclusive… broad, bright, and zany" -- David Cote, Village Voice
"Distinctly oddball and delicious." -- Martha Wade Steketee, Theater Pizzazz
"Inanimate is a wildly funny show, but never loses sight of its characters’ humanity… it’s thoughtful, relevant, and utterly enjoyable." -- Carrie Lee O'Dell, The Reviews Hub
"A buoyant, funny, and heartwarming journey of self-acceptance and love... Each laugh is genuine and plentiful. Each emotional moment is sincere and pitch perfect." -- Kathryn Kelly, StageBuddy
The Flea Theater presents the world premiere of INANIMATE, written by Nick Robideau and directed by Flea Associate Artist Courtney Ulrich. INANIMATE marks The Flea’s first production in their new performing arts complex at 20 Thomas Street in Tribeca, just blocks below its original home; it inaugurates The Siggy, their downstairs theater named for Flea founder and continuing inspiration Sigourney Weaver. Previews for INANIMATE begin August 21 with opening night slated for August 30.
Erica, shy and more than a little socially awkward, is in love with Dee. The problem is that her family, her only and equally awkward new friend, and the nosy residents of their small town in Massachusetts don't understand at all, because Dee... well, Dee is a letter in the Dairy Queen sign. This world premiere production is the first play of its kind to explore objectum sexuality, a love for inanimate objects. With heart and quirk, INANIMATE tackles feeling like an outsider, listening to your heart and finally finding your tribe.
INANIMATE features The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea, including Lacy Allen, Maki Borden, Philip Feldman, Artem Kreimer, Tressa Preston, Michael Oloyede, Nancy Tatiana Quintana, with understudies Marcus Antonio Jones and Alexandra Slater. The creative team includes Yu-Hsuan Chen (Scenic Design), Sarah Lawrence (Costume Design), Becky Heisler (Lighting Design), Megan Culley (Sound Design) and Claire Edmonds (Assistant Director).
Nick Robideau is a Brooklyn-based playwright, originally from Massachusetts. Some of his plays include The Sampo (Title:Point), Prophet in Pink (FringeNYC), Robot Heaven (Pipeline Theatre Company), and Everything (HB Studio). Nick recently received his MFA in playwriting from Hunter College, where he studied under John Baker, Tina Howe, Sam Hunter, and Arthur Kopit.
Courtney Ulrich is a New York based director. Directing credits include, The Feast by Cory Finley (The Flea) and Time Out Critic’s Pick White Hot by Tommy Smith (The Flea), Sousepaw: A Baseball Story (Shelby Company, FringeNYC 2015 Award for Overall Excellence in Directing), The Mysteries (The Flea, Assoc. Director). She has directed and developed work at New Dramatists, Ensemble Studio Theater, Ma-Yi, Samuel French Festival (Finalist), Pipeline Theater, Shelby Company, The Tank, 24 Hour Plays, Old Vic New Voices. Courtney is a recipient of the 2015 SDC Observership Fellowship and is an Associate Artist at The Flea Theater.
The Bats are the resident acting company members of The Flea Theater. Each season, over a thousand actors audition for a place in this unique company. The Bats perform in extended runs of challenging classics, as well world premieres of new plays. They are the lifeblood of The Flea.
The Flea Theater, under new Artistic Director Niegel Smith and Producing Director Carol Ostrow, is one of New York's leading Off-Off-Broadway companies. Winner of several Obie Awards, a Special Drama Desk Award for outstanding achievement and an Otto Award for political theater, The Flea has presented over 100 theatrical, musical and dance performances since its inception in 1996. Past productions include premieres by Steven Banks, Thomas Bradshaw, Erin Courtney, Bathsheba Doran, Will Eno, Karen Finley, Amy Freed, Sarah Gancher, Sean Graney, A.R. Gurney, Jennifer Haley, Hamish Linklater, Enrique Gutiérrez Ortiz Monasterio, Itamar Moses, Anne Nelson, Qui Nguyen, Adam Rapp, Jonathan Reynolds, Kate Robbins, Roger Rosenblatt, Elizabeth Swados, and Mac Wellman. Successes include Drama Desk nominated She Kills Monsters, These Seven Sicknesses, Restoration Comedy, The Mysteries and ten World Premiere productions by A.R. Gurney, including the WSJ Best New Play of 2013, Family Furniture.
INANIMATE runs August 21 - October 16, Thursday–Monday at 7pm, with Sunday matinees at 3pm. Tickets start at $15 with the lowest priced tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Flea Theater is located at 20 Thomas Street between Church and Broadway, three blocks north of Chambers, close to the A/C/E, N/Q/R/W, 4/5/6, J/M/Z and 1/2/3 subway lines. Purchase tickets by calling 212-352-3101 or online at www.theflea.org.