I am very excited for Red Light Winter. Adam Rapp’s play enjoyed a critically acclaimed, extended and sold out production at its premiere in Chicago before moving to New York for a five month Off-Broadway run. A run at Studio Theatre, with an all new cast and director, began last night.

I’m not writing about this here because there’s a local hook inside of the play. There isn’t. I’m promoting this because I don’t think there’s a play out there right now that better captures the first-world complications of love and friendship in your twenties.

I like Studio Theatre’s write up:

“In his erotically charged new play, Adam Rapp tracks a dark love triangle from a tiny hostel in Amsterdam to the chilly streets of New York City. Friends Davis and Matt stand at opposite ends of the sexual spectrum: Davis collects sexual encounters like souvenirs, while Matt waits on the sidelines for romance. The appearance in their lives of a mysterious woman stirs up a dangerous combination of fierce longing and festering rage.”

There’s a pay-what-you-can performance of the play this Saturday, September 9th at 2 PM. Studio Theatre is at 1501 14th St. NW (a ten minute walk from the Dupont Circle or U. St Metros). If you can’t make it for the pay-what, consider splurging. While I don’t recommend it for a date–the play is dark and graphic and Studio’s literary manager described to me a production staff discussion on how to show fake semen (winner: hand lotion)–this is a play you can bring your friends who don’t normally go to theatre. They’ll get it.

I’ll be at the pay-what. If people want to discuss the play afterwards, I’d be up for meeting at Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St. NW) twenty minutes after curtain close. If you’re interested, let me know at jmp@jmprice.net.

Bonus: a clip from the New York production of Red Light Winter.