Theater for the New City's 2024 Street Theater production, "The Socialization of a Social Worker or The Fight for Social Justice," will tour parks, playgrounds and closed-off streets throughout the five boroughs from August 3 to September 15, including in three Brooklyn locations.
The original musical tells the story of a humanitarian case worker learning to overcome despair, according to a press release.
In the play, a social worker, transferred to a New York City hospital, burns with hope that he will help make things better for the growing immigrant population, but he is surrounded by red tape. He is tempted to give up until he meets New York City activists who are campaigning for the future of homeless children. They lead him through an odyssey of homeless life in the subways, the horror and terror of the January 6 insurrection, and the causes of women's rights, abortion and affordable housing. Ultimately, he learns that change is driven by civil society mobilization.
The production will be staged with trap doors, giant puppets, smoke machines, masks, original choreography and a running screen or "cranky" providing continuous moving scenery behind the actors, the press release said.
The company of 22 actors, ten crew members, two stage managers, three assistant directors and five live musicians, led by the composer at the keyboard, will share the challenge of performing outside and holding a large, non-captive audience. The music will vary in style from Bossa nova to hip-hop to musical comedy to classical Cantata. The play is a bouncy joyride through the undulations of the body politic, with astute commentary couched in satire, song and slapstick.
The play will visit Brooklyn on the following dates:
- Friday, August 16 at 5:00pm at Coney Island Boardwalk, Aquarium Wall area at W. 10th St.
- Saturday, September 7 at 2:00pm at Sunset Park at 6th Ave. & 44th St.
- Sunday, September 8 at 2:00pm at Fort Greene Park, Myrtle Avenue & St. Edwards Street.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
