Chain Theatre Hosts 28 Performances During Harvest Festival

It’s a harvest festival, but it features seven plays, two theater groups, a book signing, and 30 walking tours. Starting on November 6th, Variations Theatre Group‘s  Fifth Annual Harvest Festival will launch at Chain Theatre. This year, the Long Island City venue will present seven plays in rotation. The celebration will end with a special book signing by Adrienne Onofri of her new work, Walking Queens: 30 Tours for Discovering the Diverse Communities, Historic Places, and Natural Treasures of New York City’s Largest Borough, on November 23rd at 6 pm. Schedules and descriptions of the plays are on the jump page.

Biolife by Cecilia Copeland. Synopsis: Ignacio is chosen to donate to Biolife, a government-sponsored program which promotes happiness through the use of artificial emotions. The main character must decide if living in the real world is better than a false one, and whether he can be a man without his father’s approval. Times: Friday, November 14th at 8:30 pm; Saturday, November 15th at 5 pm; Sunday, November 16th at 5 pm; Thursday, November 20th at 8 pm; Friday, November 21st at 8 pm; and Saturday, November 22nd at 2 pm.

Reading Under the Influence by Tony Glazer. Synopsis: Society women gather to discuss The Homeless Dogs of Egypt.  During the wine-fueled discussion, they find out that their book club’s rights have been sold to a reality TV production company. Times: Friday, November 7th at 8 pm; Saturday, November 8th at 5 pm; Thursday, November 13th at 9 pm; Saturday, November 15th at 1 pm; Sunday, November 16th at 8 pm; Saturday, November 22nd at 5 pm; and Sunday, November 23rd at 4 pm.

The Vengeance Room/Renaissance Dueling Play by Michael Hagins. Synopsis: In Vengeance, five people are trapped in a room with four weapons and only one way out. In Renaissance, a chauvinistic swordsman runs his mouth. Times: Thursday, November 6th at 8 pm; Saturday, November 8th at 2 pm; Saturday, November 8th at 8 pm; Sunday, November 9th at 2 pm; Sunday, November 23rd at 1 pm.

SKA Days by Chelsea Sanz in collaboration with Kathleen Granados. Synopsis: Two pairs of stories intertwine to the pulse of ska/punk music and the softness of film in a multi‐media experimentation of love, loss, destruction, time, and innocence. Times: Wednesday, November 12th at 7 pm; Friday, November 14th at 7 pm; Saturday, November 15th at 3:30 pm; Sunday, November 16th at 3 pm; Wednesday, November 19th at 8 pm.

Ocht Bufalo Presents: Breakfast in Cold Blood/America This Is Quite Serious by Griffin Hennelly. Cold Blood is an evening with Truman Capote. Quite Serious is a collection of monologues and scenes woven together and performed by a group of players. Times: Wednesday, November 12th at 8:30 pm; Thursday, November 13th at 7 pm; Saturday, November 15th at 8 pm; Sunday, November 16th at 1 pm; Tuesday, November 18th at 8 pm.

Details: Harvest Theatre Festival, Chain Theatre, 21-28 45th Road, Long Island City, November 6th to November 23rd, times vary (check out schedule), $15 per ticket.

Photo: Variations Theatre Group