PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts Inspiration Theater, Reel Cool Entertainment, Terry Schnuck (5 Time Tony Winning Producer), Barry “Shabaka” Henley (actor, CBS TV’s Bob Hearts Abishola) and Monique Coleman (actor, Disney’s High School Musical)
Present Direct from New York City the Off Broadway Hit Solo Show
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“THE BENCH, A HOMELESS LOVE STORY” Based on Real People and True Stories
Written & Performed by ROBERT GALINSKY Directed by JAY O. SANDERS
3 Shows Only – August 4th & August 5th 7:30pm, August 6th 3:00pm at CRCA Black Box Theater, 910 Center Street, Conyers GA, 30012
“A slice of life carved from the lower depths. Galinsky brings a wrenching realism to his material.” LA Times |
Sizzle Reel Here Production Photos Click Here
Mr. Galinsky is available for interviews.
To arrange interviews or press seats, please contact
JT Public Relations at (646) 481 – 6583 or email joe@jt-pr.net
July 12, 2023
For Immediate Release
Conyers, GA – Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts (CRCA) Inspiration Theater and Reel Cool Entertainment are pleased to present the Georgia debut performances of the Off-Broadway solo hit show: The Bench, A Homeless Love Story written and performed by Robert Galinsky, directed by Jay O. Sanders
After its critically acclaimed run in both New York and Los Angeles, Robert Galinsky brings his hit solo show to the CRCA Black Box Theater (910 Center Street, Conyers GA, 30012) for three performances August 4th & August 5th at 7:30pm and August 6th at 3pm. The Bench is Directed by Jay O. Sanders and presented by CRCA Inspiration Theater, Reel Cool Entertainment, Terry Schnuck (5 Time Tony Winning Producer), Barry “Shabaka” Henley (actor, CBS TV’s Bob Hearts Abishola) and Monique Coleman (actor, Disney’s High School Musical). Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased at https://www.ConyersArts.org.
Based on true stories, The Bench, set in urban decay and rubble, explores the emotional anguish of five homeless characters and the catastrophic hysteria surrounding AIDS in the 1980s. Funny, touching, and ultimately heartbreaking, Galinsky plays five characters “with flawless precision and gusto.”
Presenter, Monique Coleman:
“The Bench is a powerful piece that shines a light on the complexity and humanity of people experiencing homelessness. As a performer, I am passionate about supporting projects that exist at the intersection of art and activism, which is why I am honored to present The Bench.”
Critics from New York to Los Angeles say:
“This lovingly rendered one-man production is a scrumptious basket of vivid details that sings-out with clarion truth. These street walkers, bag men, and tramps are embodied with exacting detail in the kind of star turn that old school actors & worshippers of the craft dream about.” Broadway World
“A slice of life carved from the lower depths. Galinsky brings a wrenching realism to his material.” LA Times
“Galinsky… a one-man tour-de-force… heartbreaking & mind opening.” Times Square Chronicle
“The Bench captures the budding grassroots activist movement emerging in the East Village of NYC in the late 80’s focused on gay rights, AIDS, and the rights of the poor mixed with the traditional beatnik bohemians that had defined the neighborhood for generations.” Los Angeles Blade
“Galinsky transforms himself into a living ghost. This vital solo piece is the most important kind of urban voyeurism. It puts a smile on your lips and moisture in your eyes.” Theater Is Easy
“The Bench is a necessary play right now. Galinsky humanizes his characters and rescues their remarkable stories.” PeopleWorld.org
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ABOUT THE ARTISTS & PRESENTERS
ROBERT GALINSKY (Writer, Performer) is a multifaceted director, actor & playwright & has directed & co-written over 50 TEDx Talks. He debuted The Bench Off Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theater directed by Jay O. Sanders, produced by Terry Schnuck & presented by Barry “Shabaka” Henley, the play ran in Hollywood for 8 weeks & Galinsky is a recipient of a NY State Council on the Arts Grant for his musical Endurance. He most recently presented at Oxford University on “Literacy & Teenagers in Prison” & was selected to perform his iconic poem “Five Fights” at the 2022 Whitney Biennial (where it remains in their permanent collection.) He has directed and/or coached: Stephen McKinley Henderson (Post Mortem), 50 Cent (Righteous Kill), Noah Emmerich (Edward Albee’s The Happy Couple), Gary Cole (staged reading of The Bench) & Chelsea Clinton (TEDxTeen) among others. More at www.galinskycoaching.com & www.galinskyactor.com. “The Bench is the crucial next chapter for younger generations to understand the roots of our societal ills and our collective history centered on housing issues, family relations, and mental health. We are sparking a long-overdue conversation about how we treat one another, just as Hamilton started a conversation about our democracy, The Bench helps people understand and speak with compassion about the most vulnerable in our society. I was fortunate to have success in NY & LA and I am excited to bring The Bench to Conyers, Georgia.” Robert Galinsky
JAY O. SANDERS (Director) helmed the Off-Broadway world premiere of The Bench, A Homeless Love Story at the Cherry Lane Theatre. He most recently received the Joseph A. Callaway Award for his performance in the title role of the Hunter Theater Project’s inaugural production, Uncle Vanya, appears as the Ghost in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Virtual Reality adaptation Hamlet 360; Thy Father’s Spirit, and played Cyrano at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. At New York’s Public Theater, he was an original company member in both the four-play Apple Family series (and European tour) and a trilogy called The Gabriels; Election Year in the Life of One Family, written and directed by Richard Nelson. At the Public Theatre in NYC, he’s been seen in King Lear, Titus Andronicus, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, King John, and as George W. Bush in David Hare’s Stuff Happens. Selected film credits include JFK, The Day After Tomorrow, Glory, Tumbleweeds, Half Nelson, Edge of Darkness, & Revolutionary Road. Recent TV includes Sneaky Pete, The Sinner (Season 2), True Detective (Season 1), and The Good Wife.
THE CONYERS ROCKDALE COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS (Presenter) is the only source of high quality, diverse performing, and visual art programs for the general public in Rockdale County. CRCA’s mission is to connect neighbors, cultivate artistic expression, and celebrate our community’s stories through the power of creativity and the arts. For more information on CRCA, visit https://conyersarts.org or call 770-922-3143.
REEL COOL ENTERTAIMENT (Presenter) is an LLC within the state of Georgia. It creates, develops, produces, and releases original innovative content for the motion picture, television, and theatrical industries. For more information visit https://reelcoolentertainment.com/.
MONIQUE COLEMAN (Presenter) Monique is honored and delighted to be a presenting partner for The Bench and is an actress, producer, and Daytime Emmy nominated host most recognized as Taylor McKessie from the Disney Channel original movie franchise, High School Musical. She has since starred in numerous projects, most recently the T.D. Jakes produced film, Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story and the Lifetime original holiday movie, A Christmas Dance Reunion, acting alongside her HSM co-star Corbin Bleu. Balanced with her passion for acting, Monique has an unshakable belief in the potential and power that today’s youth hold. As the first-ever United Nations Youth Champion, Monique has continuously advocated for women and youth across the globe, through movements such as the UN Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, and her executive-produced Discovery Life series, Gimme Mo’, which garnered her Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host for Lifestyle, Children’s or Special Class Programs.
BARRY SHABAKA HENLEY (Presenter) is currently starring in CBS TV’s Bob Hearts Abishola. Equally riveting on the big screen, small screen or on stage he has starred in the big budget hits: The Terminal, Rush Hour, Patch Adams, How Stella Got her Groove Back Bulworth & Carrie and in A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper. Henley has been honored to have director/producer Michael Mann cast him in: Ali, Collateral & Miami Vice. TV includes starring roles on Grey’s Anatomy, ER, Crossing Jordan, Providence, Veep, & Shameless & recurring on Close to Home & NYPD Blue. He was a series regular on Showtime’s Barbershop, Better Call Saul, NCIS: New Orleans, Black-ish & Bosch. Henley has toured extensively with the theatre production of Jitney, was a featured player in Richard II, Waiting for Godot & As You Like It. He won a NAACP Image Award for Rabbit Foot and he wrote & starred in Mingus Remixed at the Lorraine Hansberry Theater & in Satchmo at The Waldorf at the Court Theater in Chicago & Palm Beach Dramaworks. Born in New Orleans, he currently lives in LA with his wife & son.
TERRY SCHNUCK (Producer) A five-time Tony Award recipient, Terry Schnuck is the Managing Member of Linden Park Productions LLC. He is a five-time Tony Award winning Broadway and Off-Broadway producer whose numerous Broadway and off-Broadway credits include: Beetlejuice; Plaza Suite (starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker); The Prom; Bandstand; Sunset Boulevard; Fun Home (Tony); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Matilda the Musical; Clybourne Park (Tony); The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Tony); Hair (Tony); Spring Awakening (Tony); Shear Madness; Falling; Silence! The Musical. Terry is also a principal of The Manhattan Monologue Slam and The New York Reality TV School. Currently on the board and former chairman of The MUNY in St. Louis (America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre), he is also formerly chair of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.
DAPHNE ARTHUR (Graphic Novelization,) received an MFA from Yale in 2009 and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007. Solo exhibitions include: RARE gallery in NY and the University of Massachusetts Boston and group exhibitions nationally and internationally at the Honfleur Gallery in DC, City College of NY, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Laviolabank Gallery, Marvelli Gallery, Rush Arts Gallery, Arena 1 in Santa Monica, California African American Museum in LA, Land of Tomorrow in Louisville, Mexic-Arte Museum, 59 Rivoli gallery in Paris and Florence Biennale VIII in Italy.
Mr. Galinsky is available for interviews.
To arrange interviews/press seats, please contact JT PR 646.481.6583 email joe@jt-pr.net