Ripe Frenzy

Winner of the National New Play Network’s 2016 Smith Prize for Political Theatre, this site-specific premiere brings us to Tavistown, New York, where a recent tragedy has rocked the community to its core. Narrator and town historian, Zoe, recounts the days leading up to the incident, as the high school prepares for the semi-annual production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. The National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Jennifer Barclay’s Ripe Frenzy is a stunning new play about community in the wake of unspeakable devastation.

by Jennifer Barclay
Directed by Bridget Kathleen O’Leary

Run time is 80 minutes with no intermission

A note from the presenting organization:

“At New Repertory Theatre, we hold very strongly to our mission to present plays that speak powerfully to the vital ideas of our time. Given the recent events in Florida, we’d like to make our audiences aware that our production of Ripe Frenzy contains references to a school shooting that is not unlike the one that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. While there is no violence depicted in the performance itself, out of respect, we want to be transparent regarding the subject matter.

When we programmed this play last year, the number of mass school shootings was continuing to grow, prompting us to look at Ripe Frenzy as a way to engage in conversation about these events. Our hearts go out to the victims and their friends and families in Florida and across the nation where this wave of violence has directly affected so many for some time now. It is our hope that a play like Ripe Frenzy can help progress the dialogue about these tragedies, and we invite all to attend this production and join us in that conversation.”