The Hairy Ape
By Eugene O’Neill
October 13-16, 20-23 at 7:00 PM
Thursdays-Sundays
At BP Learned Mission, 40 Shaw Street. New London, CT
This year marks the 100th anniversary of O’Neill’s early expressionistic play, The Hairy Ape. First produced by the Provincetown Players in 1922, The Hairy Ape transferred to Broadway later that year. Focusing on the conflicts of the main character—Yank, a coal stoker on an ocean liner—with his fellow stokers, a wealthy industrialist’s daughter, other representatives of high society, and organized labor—it offers a dual picture: of an individual’s alienation and of the roiling social divisions of the 1920s. Class division, wealth inequality, and the search for personal identity and self-actualization in the weeds of capitalism are both rich historic themes explored in O'Neill's work and ripe parallels for the modern American audience's experience.
Flock will present the play in the B.P. Learned Mission School, which houses a small blackbox theatre auditorium.
The production is directed by Derron Wood and features a cast of Alexander Molina, Christie Max Williams, Eric Michealien, Suzanne McCormack, Gary Poe, Cat McDonald, and Sarah Paprocki.
Tickets are $35 for adults. $30 for students/seniors/active military. General Admission.
Seating is limited, reservations recommended.
For general questions or additional info please email flocktheatre@hotmail.com
Second Night Dessert Reception and Champagne Toast, October 14
Flock Theatre invites all ticket holders to join the cast and crew of The Hairy Ape at a post-performance dessert reception and champagne toast on Friday, October 14, in the Thames Club’s basement pub—a favorite watering hole of club member James O’Neill—located in downtown New London at 290 State Street, across from the Garde Arts Center.
Raise a glass to celebrate the play’s centennial and the playwright’s 134th birthday! This festive reception, from 8:30 to 10 p.m., will feature a smorgasbord of locally baked delicacies, as well as savory items, coffee and tea, and a cash bar.
Tickets for the October 14 reception are $100 and include a complimentary ticket to the show on the night of your choosing (do not reserve via eventbrite in this case, the reservation will be made by the Flock staff for you). The proceeds support Flock’s new “I Belong” educational programs in area schools, inspired by The Hairy Ape. Since space in the pub is limited, guests are asked to RSVP to flocktheatre@hotmail.com by October 10.