“Extinction” And “Angry Young Man” Coming To East Hampton’s Guild Hall

Guild Hall in East Hampton is proud to present two upcoming plays this spring and early summer.

Extinction by Gabe McKinley, directed by Josh Gladstone, will feature four talented young actors: Brian Kraynak, Raye Levin, Sawyer Spielberg, and Eric Svendson. This play is a darkly funny drama that started rehearsal at Guild Hall on Tuesday, February 28.

“McKinley’s snappy play Extinction had me laughing out loud and then cringing uncomfortably,” said Director, Josh Gladstone. “It turns on a dime, is rich with emotional depth and well-drawn characters – a sharp exploration of the humor, affection and fragile ego that is at the heart of so many friendships between men.”

Sawyer Spielberg. (Courtesy Photo)

The play explores the evolution of friendships and the desire to preserve them regardless of the cost. Spielberg first brought Extinction to Guild Hall as a 2016 JDTLab work-in-progress. Gladstone graciously offered his assistance after seeing tremendous potential in the show.

“It’s a play that spoke loudly to me when we presented a reading of it at our developmental workshop – the JDT Lab – and Sawyer and his eager young team bring a great energy and spirit to the project that is absolutely infectious,” added Gladstone. “I’m delighted to be working with them.”

Sawyer Spielberg studied at the Atlantic Theater Company and has played Peter Van Daan in Bay Street Theater’s 2013 production of Ann Frank and Bay Street’s 2015 production of Of Mice and Men playing Whit. Raye Levine is a William Esper Studio graduate and Ensemble Member of the Barefoot Theater Company. She has performed in staged readings and productions of The Vote in Orange by Israel Horovitaz, Parkslope by Michael Reyes at the Cherry Lane Theater, On the 5:31 by Mando Alvarado, and many more. Gabe McKinley’s plays have been produced and developed by companies nationally and internationally, including Atlantic Theater Company, Naked Angels, Premiere Stages, The Old Vic, Williamstown Theater Festival, and Red Dog Squadron. Director Josh Gladstone has served as the Artistic Director of the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall since 2000 – where he has produced hundreds of developmental readings and plays, including All My Sons starring Laurie Metcalf and Alec Baldwin, Clever Little Lies, Thought at 8:30, and Equus, among several others. Eric Svendsen studied theater at Northwestern University and has been involved with productions at Rogue Machine Theater Company in Los Angeles and Naked Angels in New York. Brynne Kraynak is an actor and teaching artist based in New York City who has worked with Tongue in Cheek Theatre, Rattlestick Theater Co,. Horse Trade Theater Co., and in the Samuel French and NYC Fringe Festivals.

Extinction will be on preview Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31, and will officially open on Saturday, April 1, running Wednesdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. until Sunday, April 16. There will also be two matinees on Saturday, April 8 and Saturday, April 15. General Admission is $25; $23 for members; and $15 for students under 18.

The second play, Angry Young Man, is by award-winning playwright Ben Woolf and directed by Christopher Daftsios, Rami Margron, Max Samuels, and Nazli Sarpkaya. This fast-paced ensemble comedy will make its American premiere on the Guild Hall stage. The story follows a Middle Eastern doctor who migrates to England to start a new life. Angry Young Man is currently in rehearsal in New York City and will come to Guild Hall on Saturday, June 3.

Angry Young Man follows Yuri as he learns to adjust to British lifestyle. He meets Patrick, a young man that offers help, friendship, and a trip to the heart of the English countryside. They find unexpected truths about England and Yuri must choose between a life in Britain and his honor.

The design and production team for Angry Young Man includes Sebastian Paczynski (Lighting Design), Frank Oliva (Set Design), Yuka Silvera (Costume Design), David M. Lawson (Sound Design), Doug Mills (Technical Director), Taylor Alyessa Marun (Production Stage Manager),  Brian Clemente (Assistant Stage Manager), Stephanie Klapper (Casting), Joe Trentacosta (Public Relations/Publicity), Peter Napolitano (Associate Producer), Antoinette Mullins (Development & Literary Director) and Olga Devyatisilnaya (Company Manager/Financial Administrator).

The John Drew Theater in the Dina Merrill Pavilion at Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For more information, call 631-324-0806 or visit www.guildhall.org.