Safeword., From the Creators of Afterglow, to Debut Off-Broadway
S. Asher Gelman's Midnight Theatricals, the production company behind his long-running Off-Broadway hit Afterglow, will next present Gelman's play safeword. Beginning performances at The American Theatre of Actors April 11, the new work is an exploration of power dynamics through BDSM and food.
The world premiere of safeword. will officially open April 25 for a limited run scheduled through July 7.
Gelman will direct a cast made up of Jimmy Brooks (A Clockwork Orange, Madame Secretary), Maybe Burke (The Deuce, Tales of The City), Joe Chisholm (Afterglow). and Traci Elaine Lee (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical).
In safeword., an unlikely meeting between New York City neighbors sparks the beginning of a new friendship among two couples. But secrets are rife, and after an incident in which everything is revealed, they must all come to grips with the pieces of themselves they keep most hidden.
The creative team includes Ann Beyersdorfer (scenic design), Jamie Roderick (lighting design), Fabian Aguilar (costume design), Kevin Heard (sound design), Mika Kauffman (associate director), Jillian Walker (dramaturg), Jessica Kahkoska (script consultant), Kate Lumpkin (casting), Laura Malseed (production stage manager), and Evan Bernardin Productions (general manager).
Afterglow, which will make its London debut at the Southwark Playhouse in June, played an extended run at The Loft at The Davenport Off-Broadway from June 2017 through August 2018.