HOW TO BOOK A PERFORMANCE OF HOWARD ZINN’S ‘MARX IN SOHO’

Sending an e-mail to info@levyarts.com and letting us know you are interested is the best first step. When contacting us about doing a performance, please be sure to let us know a little bit about who/where you are.  Performance spaces come in all shapes and sizes, and while Jerry Levy can accommodated most performing spaces as an actor; the more we know the better. We personally like to accommodate you and your needs to ensure ‘Marx in Soho” will be seen by as many people as possible. While we have a set fee/ticket sales percentage which covers much of our administrative costs and performance related expenses, we are also always open to negotiating to ensure that the arrangement is mutually beneficial.

Thus each performance is negotiated on a per venue bases.

It is important to note, that making money is not our top concern. We do many Benefit performances (see below) . We are interested in supporting this endeavor and committed to bringing this play to the masses. We are always open to new ideas.  If you are an educational institution please let us know when you contact us. Keep in mind that the following will be taken into consideration for educational institutions when negotiating our fee;

Institution’s size (student body and faculty)
Expected number attendees and ticket cost (if any)
Whether or not the performance will be opened to the general public.
Any services the institution might be able to provide (i.e. video production services)
Institutions ability to provide accommodations if necessary
Whether or not a portion of the show’s profits (if any) will be benefiting any specific group (i.e. Theater department, Activist groups, or a charity)

BENEFIT  PERFORMANCES  (Our perspective on Acting and Activism)

As we truly believe in the message of this play, and its ability to stimulate dialogue and interest in social activism, current events, history and of course Karl Marx and his theories, we are also willing to do Benefit Performances. In addition to being a professor of Sociology, Jerry Levy is also an activist.  Through offering benefit performances Jerry Levy bridges these two passions in his life.  If you are interested in undertaking a benefit performance we can provide you with more information. 

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Performance Spaces (theater, cafes, assembly halls, auditoriums and other cultural or art centers) come in all shapes and sizes. Howard Zinn’s  play “Marx in Soho” is extremely versatile and able itself to accommodate most  performance spaces. Below are some considerations to take into account when finding an adequate space for the performance. 

Staging: Ideally the performance space accommodates a desk/table and two chairs (all sturdy enough to be sit and leaned on) as well as enough space for Jerry Levy to move between them. A good stage size is 10feet by 15feet. As Jerry is a seasoned performer  if the stage is smaller usually he can accommodate by loosing a chair and changing his blocking. Just let us know. 

Playtime: The play is 1hr 30 min.  Of course there it is also possible to have questions and answers afterward which can lengthen the performance significantly.  Typically there is no intermission.

Seating  & Sound: Jerry has performed in both intimate theater halls as well as larger theater halls.  In theaters housing fewer than 100 attendees there is typically no need for microphone(s) or amplification.  However each space is different, and depending on the acoustics of the space they may be required.

Lighting: Lighting is simple.  Though it is not required, a spotlight is often used, at least during the beginning of the performance to light Jerry's entrance through the audience. If there is not a spot, the lights should just fade in at the beginning, and then fade out at the end.  The lights must flicker twice during the performance. Jerry can direct a tech on when and provide them with a script.  Even the least experienced of lighting techs. can grasp the lighting needs of the play within a 15 minute briefing prior to the performance.

Performance Space access and Tech meeting: Jerry Levy prefers having access to the space prior to his performing in it. Depending on the space, sometimes this is just a matter of  him looking at it and doing a sound check. Other times he might want to test the stage for blocking. This is an ideal time to meet with the theater tech. as well  Please let us know if this will not be possible so we can make preparations.

‘Marx in Soho’ is both eye-opening and thought provoking and we are committed to bringing it to the masses. Never did we think this small endeavor would turn out to be as large of a success as it has been. We owe that to all those who have worked with us to bring this small production to their community. Each time ‘Marx in Soho’ is performed we feel the ripples as if a stone had been cast into a still pond. While some argue “the Marx” that much of the world came to know “is dead” we feel fortunate to resurrect a Marx few ever knew.

We are always looking for new venues to perform. Please contact us with your thoughts, ideas and inquiries

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT!

 We are always looking for new ways to get the word out to more people about what we are doing. If you have any ideas please contact us at info@levyarts.com

MARX IN SOHO was first performed at the Church Street Theater, in Washington, D.C in 1995, where is was directed by Ronald Triferio Nelson.  Levy’s production took to stage 9 years later when it opened at Marlboro College in April 2004 and has been performed over 100 times since- in theaters, classrooms, cafes and homes across the USA, Canada and Europe.

Promoting your performance of Howard Zinn’s ‘Marx in Soho’ is key to ensuring a large audience.  If you need any suggestions we can help. Often there are also things we can do from affair to help get the word out.