Essential Self-Defense
Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Co-produced with Edge Theatre
Written by
Adam Rapp
Directed by Carolyn Cantor
When a disgruntled misfit takes a job as an attack dummy in a women’s self-defense class, he finds himself mysteriously drawn to the repressed bookworm who’s beating on him. But all’s not well on the mean Midwestern streets of Bloggs: with local children vanishing at an alarming rate, our hero, his lady friend, and a motley assortment of poets, butchers, and punk librarians prepare to battle the darkness on the edge of town. A grim fairy tale with generous helpings of rock n’ roll karaoke by the Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of Red Light Winter.
Featuring
Creative Team
David Korins
Scenic Designer
Miranda Hoffman
Costume Designer
Ben Stanton
Lighting Designer
Eric Shim
Sound Designer
Charles M. Turner III
Production Stage Manager
Photos of (1) Paul Sparks and Heather Goldenhersh; (2) Ray Rizzo, Joel Marsh Garland, Michael Chernus, and Guy Boyd; (3) Ray Rizzo, Lucas Papaelias, Cheryl Lynn Bowers, Guy Boyd, Paul Sparks, and Heather Goldenhersh; and (4) Guy Boyd, Heather Goldenhersh, Joel Marsh Garland, Paul Sparks, and Michael Chernus by Joan Marcus.
“Adam Rapp is a fresh and muscular voice with no fear! The journey is full of ODDBALL JOY with an unabashed affection for bizarre and tragic humanity.”
— Linda Winer, Newsday“BRILLIANT! A first-class production, courtesy of director Carolyn Cantor and a terrific cast.”
— Dan Bacalzo, Theatermania