Darnelle Radford 8/29/25 Darnelle Radford 8/29/25

BSR_S10E02 - The Presented - Chris Davis

Today, Chris Davis returns to talk about the 2025 FringeArts offering, The Presented, a refreshed take on his 2018 performance of the piece. Here is my interview with Chris Davis for The Presented.

The Golden Age of Theater has ended: grants canceled, theaters shuttered, universities gone bankrupt. Amongst the wrecked landscape comes The Presented. First performed in Philly Fringe 2018, and later Edinburgh 2019, Chris Davis’ The Presented has been updated to address the challenges of making art in 2025 asking: where do we go from here?

The Presented follows Chris, a struggling artist working concessions at a movie theater, who finds himself spiraling into a surreal subconscious journey triggered (naturally) by popping popcorn. On his quest to confront artistic failure and doubt, Chris meets a parade of strange and compelling characters: a disgraced 19th-century actress, a volatile fringe producer, and a very large bear, among others. With wit, physicality, and an always theatrical flair, Davis explores what it means to be a “chosen” artist in today’s world - and why that pursuit might drive you to madness.

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://phillyfringe.org/events/the-presented/

Darnelle Radford 8/26/25 Darnelle Radford 8/26/25

BSR_S10E01 - New Heaven New Earth - RAYNE

Join host Darnelle Radford as he sits down with Ang Bey, also known as Rayne, to discuss her innovative play "New Heaven, New Earth." This episode delves into the creative process behind adapting Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" into a modern narrative that explores themes of identity, power, and cultural legacy.

ABOUT NEW HEAVEN, NEW EARTH

On the edge of empire, Cleopatra battles a soothsaying Crocodile in this revisionist, Afrocentric adaptation of Shakespeare's “Antony and Cleopatra”. Written by Rayne, directed by Shamus, with live music by Karen Smith, "new heaven new earth” is an allegory that blends ancient history with poetic futurism. When peace demands war, what will you become, and for whom?

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://phillyfringe.org/events/new-heaven-new-earth/

Darnelle Radford 9/20/23 Darnelle Radford 9/20/23

BSR_S08E01 - The Pecking Order - Paperdoll Ensemble

Today on the podcast, Amanda Jensen, Co-Founder of Paperdoll Ensemble, drops in to talk about the 2023 FringeArts offering, The Pecking Order, a 70s-inspired tragicomedy highlighting the absurdity of women’s rights being thrust back in time. Here is my interview with Paperdoll Ensemble for The Pecking Order.

Darnelle Radford 8/28/23 Darnelle Radford 8/28/23

BSR_S07E10 - In Their Silence

IN THEIR SILENCE

(formerly, They'll Neglect to Tell You)

by TS Hawkins

directed by Reva Stover

September 15-October 1 *limited engagement

Click here for Sept. 15th - 24th; tickets available at FringeArts!

Click here for Sept. 29th - Oct 1st; tickets available at Allens Lane!

ABOUT THE PLAY

Grace is a burgeoning therapist. Merci dangles for freedom at the bottom of a bourbon glass. College sweethearts and newlyweds, they elope to Philadelphia for a fresh beginning. Stumbling into polarizing landscapes, they struggle in the margins of heart and home.

Listen to the Moodlist on Spotify!

Read about Grace & Merci's journey!

CAST

(She/They) Sabriaya Shipley as GRACE

Jaylyn Anderson as MERCI

Jameka Monet Wilson as THE CITY

CREATIVE & CREW

(They/Them) TS Hawkins - Playwright, Dramaturg, & Marketing Coordinator

Reva Stover - Director

(He/Him) Josh Hitchens - Allens Lane Art Center Artistic Director, Stage Manager, Sound Designer, & Costume Manager

CJ Higgins - Intimacy Director

Sabrena Wishart - Set Designer