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Brother Johnny's Homestyle BBQ: An NYU Dramatic Writing MFA Reading

  • The Tank 312 W 36th St New York, NY, 10018 United States (map)

August 6 at 7pm

Writer and Directed by Parade Stone

Music by Ava Heatley,

Actors: Jon Rodriguez, Maryn Shaw, Tony Macht, Emma Ling-Hwei Young, Caitlin Moira, Samuel Hutchinson, Azario Mastrangelo, Lia-Shea Tillett, Julie Lim

"Brother Johnny’s Homestyle BBQ" is a darkly comedic play with music about a mysterious gesture of activism that makes waves amongst the staff of a Southern-themed sports bar in Midtown, Manhattan. When Brooke, a young woman in need of financial stability while trying to outrun the dysfunction of her past, impulsively takes a job as a waitress, new manager Mike denies the staff’s request to hang a Black Lives Matter flag in the bar to avoid alienating the fratty customer base. As BLM flags mysteriously appear in the space anyway, Brooke, the only Black person in a primarily white staff, agrees to secretly uncover the person hanging the flags in exchange for an under-the-table pay raise. Underscored by the sweet southern drawl of a fantasy country band, The BBQUTIES, the Brother Johnny’s team confronts questions about the relationship between performativity and “wokeness,” contemporary activism, and the cost of making a statement.

Content warning: sexual assault, child abuse

*Please note that this performance will be presented at the Tank's in-person performance space at 312 W 36th St. All attendees and artists will be required to display proof of full covid vaccination before being admitted to the space, either by showing a vaccination record (vaccination card) at least two weeks out from the final dose of an approved vaccine, or by using New York's free Excelsior Pass service, available here. Patrons will also be required to wear masks while indoors at all times and for the time being, no food or beverage will be permitted to be consumed at the theater.

Earlier Event: August 6
IRL + CYBERTANK: The Village
Later Event: August 6
Project Sankofa