Exploring the dark humoured and complex relationship between scar-crossed lovers and the pain they inflict upon each other, Good Grandson Productions presents the acclaimed Off-Broadway smash-hit, Gruesome Playground Injuries, at Chapel Off Chapel for a limited season from 10 October 2018.
Written by Pulitzer nominated playwright, Rajiv Joseph, Gruesome Playground Injuries isn’t your typical love story, it’s a poignant, heartbreaking and touching play that follows the intersecting lives of Kayleen and Doug over thirty years through injury, heartbreak and their tendency towards self-destruction.
Directed by Jessica Dick, Gruesome Playground Injuries features Laura McIntosh as Kayleen and Christian Charisiou as Doug. They are joined by a stellar creative team including Ella Butler (Design); Michelle Thorne (Lighting); and Joshua Bliss (Sound).
“Last year I was in Los Angeles for a few months and I was given the opportunity to workshop and explore one of the pivotal scenes from Gruesome Playground Injuries,” said Charisiou. “I loved how it ached, and scratched and made you laugh through its cynicism.”
“Once the class finished up, I felt like I wasn’t done with the play, and I needed to put it on, and soon. I knew Australia would love it. So, I started Good Grandson Productions and put together our exciting team and before I knew it, it was all locked in and we were putting on, what will be, one hell of a show.”
Rajiv Joseph is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and an award winning playwright. His works include: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (a 2010 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize), Huck and Holden, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Animals Out of Paper, The Monster at the Door, The North Pool, The Lake Effect, and Guards at the Taj.
He has taught Essay Writing at New York University, wrote for Seasons 3 and 4 of the Showtime series Nurse Jackie, and was book-writer and co-lyricist for the musical, Fly, adapted from JM Barrie’s novel, Peter Pan.
Director: Jessica Dick Featuring: Christian Charisiou, Laura McIntosh Production Design: Ella Butler Lighting Design: Michelle Thorne Sound Design: Joshua Bliss Stage Manager: Michael Clark Co-Producer: Kaytlin Petrarca
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 11 – 20 October 2018 (preview: 10 October)
Information and Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Image: Laura McIntosh and Christian Charisiou feature in Gruesome Playground Injuries (supplied)