FringeNYC 2013: Bang, Bang You're Dead

Why'd you kill me Josh? Josh's life is a cycle of bullying and self-loathing until he makes a decision that destroys his life and the lives of others. He's already in jail but can he face the real consequences?

Official production website
Show details/ticketing at FringeNYC

Venue: The Lynn Redgrave Theater, 45 Bleecker Street

Review by Josephine Cashman · August 11, 2013

“Columbine, Newtown, Virginia Tech,” chant the ensemble. Violent shootings in schools now covers all grades, from nursery schools to universities. In this case, High School student Josh (played by the talented Ed Squires) kills five fellow students in his school’s cafeteria: One is his ex-girlfriend, another a former friend, and three other students who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Why me?” They ask him. “Why not you?” Josh challenges. In fact, he boasts, if his rifle had held more bullets, or if he’d had the chance to reload, more people would be dead and he’d be “a legend.”

Written by noted playwright William Mastrosimone (Extremities, The Woolgatherer), the Playground Theatre project, an outreach theatre company puts together a stunning performance of Bang Bang You’re Dead. Appropriately, this production is dedicated in memory to Victoria Soto, one of the teachers who died in Newtown while protecting her students.

While awaiting trial and then in prison, the spirits of those he shot, and those who attempted to help or hurt him relentlessly question Josh. We see him relive some of the events that lead him to his murderous actions. Can he pin the blame on his hunter lover Grandpa? Or his easily manipulated parents who wonder if they “raised him wrong?” Perhaps it's his bruised ego, or those who mock or bully him? Does he even care?

The ensemble cast is uniformly exceptional, energetic, and they adeptly handle the rapid-fire dialogue, never letting the pace drag. Some standouts are Summer Russo, Ryan Shapiro, James Garlock and Caroline Palsi.

The play’s sharp direction by Directors Ralph Colombino and Dan Cooley (with the assistance of Rich Palmros and stage manager Gianna Marino) keeps the story taut and intense. Under their skilled guidance, both the actors and the audience are engrossed in this tragic and violent tale.

Josh has a lifetime to ruminate his actions, but his victims do not have that luxury. They all wonder what the victims wanted to do with their lives, or what simple things they will miss- yawning, skiing on a lake in Georgia, squabbling with a sister are only a few of the poignant examples. “I wanted to kill you, but I didn’t want you dead,” Josh mourns.

I consider this to be one of the gems of FringeNYC 2013. Bang Bang You’re Dead wisely offers no easy answers, but it is a play that everyone, especially teenagers and pre-teens, should have the opportunity to see. These remarkable teenager actors are able to articulate for those who are no longer able to speak for themselves. We would do well to listen.

Preview: Interviews with Artists from Bang, Bang You're Dead

We're asking artists from each show to answer questions about themselves and their work to help our readers get a detailed advance picture of the festival:

The Five W's · Michael Buck (Actor)

Who are your heroes?
I look up to a lot of people because I am surrounded by such amazing people. My parents of course, anyone that has ever taught me or helped at Actors Playground and all of my friends. It sounds kind of cheesy but each and everyone of them have opened my eyes to something new and have made my life all the more better.
What do you like most about the character you are playing in this show?
The character Josh is an amazing character to play. Any kid that has ever been fed up with something can connect with him, I know I've been there. One day in rehearsal Dan one of the directors was talking about Josh refusing the call of help. Playing Josh is my way to show people to not refuse the call and that getting help is something that can make a huge difference in a persons life, as it shows in the play.
Where did you get your training in theater?
I got my training in theater first at "The Count Basie" in Red Bank with just some fun classes after school. Then I came to "Actors Playground School of Theater" and have been there for three years and am there usually twice a week or more.
When did you know you wanted to work in the theater, and why?
I knew I first wanted to work in theater my second year at "Actors Playground" y teacher in my class had us go into two circles and perform monologues, so we could get everyone to perform and get notes from a few different perspectives. Seeing everyone perform, I realized that I could be the one I saw on stage and that I could be the one people pay to see, I was one of the lucky people that could get payed doing something the loved.
Why are theater festivals important?
Theater festivals are extremely important for a number of reasons. One is that, it is the starting point for many actors. Two is that it is a place where actors and performers can come to play. There's music festivals and multiple carnivals and festivals, actors have theater festivals. Three and finally, it is a wonderful way to gain experience and to be seen by people.

Read more The Five W's previews!

Journey to FringeNYC · Ralph Colombino (Director)

Tell us about the process you used to achieve your vision of this play in this production.
After the tragic events in Newtown Connecticut, me, my staff, and especially my students, all felt like we needed to do something. Back in 2008 we were given permission by playwright William Mastrosimone to put together the very first touring company for the play “Bang Bang, You’re Dead.” After touring the show at schools throughout the tri-state area for nearly two years, we were honestly taken aback by the heartfelt response we received. Through letters, emails, and discussions with students, teachers, and administration we realized the show’s true impact on its audiences. The positive and lasting impression the performance had on them was truly remarkable. Our production of the show has become a unique advancement in violence prevention that could only have been accomplished through the power of theatre. One example of this is the fact that after our performance at a middle school in Paterson New Jersey, violence among their students went down 70%. One of the teachers was quoted as saying, “The kids just get along a lot better since that show was here.” After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary we decided to begin a new production of the show. Besides our traditional teen company, the playwright and I decided that we wanted a company to go to middle schools as well, since we both feel that that's where the problem begins, so we formed a younger version of the company who are all in middle school. Both companies will be performing at NYC Fringe this summer. Auditioning and rehearsing this production was a long process. All of our cast members are current students at my school; Actors Playground School of Theatre in Freehold NJ. All students at the school are trained on the college conservatory level. They study the techniques of Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner and many others. They are taught the true meaning of ensemble and are expected to support one another throughout the process. The students that were chosen for this production are not only some of our most talented but have proven that they are socially conscious as well. Preparing for this show was not easy, considering the circumstances of this play and it’s deep emotional undertone, but when you have a strong ensemble of dedicated young people, anything is possible. Our students have been courageous and steadfast throughout this entire process and I couldn’t be prouder of them.
What are some of your previous theater credits? (Be specific! Name shows, etc.)
I am a graduate of the BFA acting program at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, while I was there I was a cast member of The Shoestring Players 1989 company which toured America and then performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that summer. Since then, I have acted in nearly forty equity and some non-equity productions and have directed nearly twenty five shows. In 2005 I opened Actors Playground School of Theatre which has since become one of New Jersey’s leading destinations for young actors. The school currently has 224 students enrolled and shows no sign of stopping. Most notably, one of our students, John D’Leo, will be playing Robert DeNiro’s son in the upcoming Luc Besson film “The Family.” Shortly after the school was opened, me and my colleagues; Megan Donovan, Dan Cooley, Rich Palmros, and Becky Ellis created Playground Theatre Project which is our social issue theater company which performs original plays concerning racism, violence, suicide, bullying, and human rights.
If this is your first appearance in FringeNYC -- why did you want to be part of this festival? If you have appeared in FringeNYC before, tell us what show(s) you have done here previously. What about your prior experience led you back to this festival?
This is the first production I have ever directed that was accepted into the NYC Fringe Festival. I wanted my company to be a part of this because NYC Fringe seems to be run by those who really care about this art--people with integrity and vision. Not only does the Fringe staff support great theater, they also seem to care about the world around us and how theater can help to educate, enlighten and create awareness. I’m proud to be here among these amazing people.
Why are theater festivals important?
Theater festivals are paramount to the existence of theater itself. This festival calls attention to productions that may very well have gone unappreciated and unnoticed. As our society becomes much more insular because of the internet, smart phones, tablets and so on, theater faces its biggest challenge ever. A festival like NYC Fringe gives people a reason to go out and see a play and support what is really the root of all film and television.
What was the most memorable/funny/unusual thing that has happened during the development and rehearsal process for this show?
The most memorable experience we had concerning the “Bang Bang, You’re Dead,” production was during the initial tour. After a performance in a school in South Jersey, it came to our attention that a student actually came forward and explained that he needed help, that he felt as if he was the main character in our show, that he was having thoughts of coming to school with a gun and killing those who bullied him. We were absolutely floored by this. We knew our production of the show had a deep impact. We knew that the show created awareness, educated, and expressed to students that they were not alone, but did the show prevent a school shooting in this instance? We will never really know for sure. Do we believe that this show is the answer to school shootings? Certainly not, but we do believe it can be part of the answer.

All About My Show · Megan Donovan (Other)

Complete this sentence: My show is the only one in FringeNYC that...?
has such a young, professionally trained cast. All the actors in our show range from 10-21 years old and have been studying acting for at least a year. Most have been studying for five or six years.
What do you think this show is about? What will audiences take away with them after seeing it?
This show is about how bullying and low self-esteem can lead to thoughts of suicide and more dire circumstances. I hope audiences take away what power their words and actions have over the people around them. Even things someone might consider small and inconsequential can affect another person immensely.
What aspect of the show are you responsible for, and what exactly does that entail? Please be specific, e.g., if you’re the dramaturg, what are the things that the audience will experience that you’re responsible for?
I am the head of the company and in this respect one of the producers of the show. There is no direct effect you will see on the show, but basically I make sure everything gets done, organized, and runs smoothly so the audience and the cast has an enjoyable experience.
How did you first become involved/acquainted with this show?
After the shooting at Virginia Tech, Ralph (our current director) wanted to tour the show and I was part of it as an actor. When the shootings in Newtown happened, he brought up the idea of touring it again to our theater company. We all thought it was something that needed to be performed again - and Fringe is our first stop.
Is there a particular moment in this show that you really love or look forward to? Without giving away surprises, what happens in that moment and why does it jazz you?
What we call "The I Misses and I Nevers" is one of my favorite parts of the show. It really brings home the message of the piece. It's also incredibly emotional and there are lines in it that everyone can relate to.

Read more All About My Show previews!

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