Speakeysie News Desk — July 14, 2019

Atlanta, July 2019 – Essential Theatre is presenting its 21st Festival with the world premieres of three plays and four staged reading all by Georgia playwrights. Premiering during the festival is “Baby Shower for the Antichrist”, by Ben Thorpe, directed by Shannon Eubanks, opening Friday, August 2, 2019 at 8pm at the West End Performing Arts Center. 

In Thorpe’s “Baby Shower for the Antichrist”, it’s the night of the ‘Hell Feast’ and a small, isolated cult is prepping for the birth of the Antichrist. When an outsider is invited for the evening, secrets about the past come to light and threaten to ruin everything the group has built. Plus, there’s a talking goat… so that’s pretty cool.

Performance schedule

Aug 1 – Preview (8pm)

Aug. 2 – Opening Night (8pm)

Aug. 4 – Neighborhood Night (7pm, meet and greet with playwright Ben Thorpe)

Aug. 5 – Industry Night (8pm)

Aug. 8 – 8pm

Aug. 10 – 8pm

Aug. 11 – 2pm

Aug. 17 – 8pm

Aug. 18 – 7pm

Aug. 20 – Industry Night (8pm)

Aug. 22 – 8pm

Aug. 23 – 10am matinee*

Aug. 23 – 8pm

Aug. 25 – Closing Performance (2pm)

Cast

Suzanne Roush as Reba

Gina Rickicki as Dee

Sarina Montgomery as Monica

Madison Welch as Julie

Taylor Bahin as Shelley

Artistic Team

Playwright: Ben Thorpe

Director: Shannon Eubanks

Dramaturg: Maggie Higgenbothem

Stage Manager: Efrem Whitaker

Scenic Designer: Gabrielle S. Stephenson

Lighting Designer: Harley Gould

Lighting Intern: Maliya McCall

Sound Designer: Kacie Willis

Propsmaster: Kathy Manning

The Festival features all local talent, working to serve and contribute to the Atlanta arts scene.

The West End Performing Arts Center is located at 945 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA, 30310. Festival Passes are on sale now! Visit essentialtheatre.tix.com or call 404-212-0815.

Now in its 21st year, the Essential Theatre Playwriting Competition is the only contest exclusively dedicated to the work of Georgia playwrights. The winning play receives both a full production and a $600 cash prize. Playwrights must be current Georgia residents, and the plays must be previously unproduced. There are no restrictions as to style, length or subject matter. For more information or to submit your play, visit EssentialTheatre.com/Playwriting-Competition.

For more information and the latest updates, join our newsletter, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or check out our website at www.EssentialTheatre.com.