CHS Grad brings show to Off-Broadway!

Jacob Platt Presents Desiree Burch in TAR BABY Off-Broadway Limited Run

NEW YORK, NY (January 1, 2013) –  2002 CHS graduate Jacob Platt is presenting the International performer and comedian Desiree Burch in her latest one-woman show, TAR BABY at the DR2 Theatre in NYC January 5 – 19.  

Jacob Platt worked on Stage Crew all four years he attended Columbia and has performed every backstage task there is at one time or another.  Post graduation he attended Carnegie Mellon University and studied theatrical lighting design.  Three years later he relocated to New York to complete his education and dive heavily into the theatre scene.  He was soon working Off-Off-Broadway and networking with writers, directors, designers and actors, some of whom are part of the TAR BABY team. 

“Producing is something I’ve really wanted to do and the opportunity with Desiree in the wake of the National elections was irresistible,” confided Jake.  “The run is limited but I believe this is only the beginning of what we can do with the show.  The New Orleans Fringe Festival run in November was a sell-out and we’re already hearing from venues in other parts of the country about presenting the show so we’re really excited.”

In addition to Jake, 2009 CHS graduate, Laura Chew is working on the project as Associate Producer.  Laura was also part of the Stage Crew while at CHS and has worked with Jake in NYC as an electrician, assistant and as a lighting designer where she met and worked with other members of the TAR BABY team.  “I’ve seen Desiree in her previous show, 52 MAN PICK-UP and believe in her and wanted to be a part of this project,” said Chew. 

TAR BABY is the story of America’s infamous black & white love affair, from shotgun wedding to “post-racial” open relationship and speaks to the growing majority of minority experiences in America. With a socially conscious comedic style reminiscent of Richard Pryor and Louis C.K., this liberal not-so-African-American offers up a hysterical carnival game of Race & Capitalism—where no one’s a winner, but everyone’s still playing!

Desiree Burch as been named one of Huffington Post’s “Favorite Female Comedians” and NY Magazine’s “Comedians Funny People Find Funny.”  TAR BABY is the latest in five original solo performances at venues including PS 122, Joe’s Pub, Ars Nova, 59E59, Dixon Place, Galapagos Art Space, Yale University, and at Fringe Festivals in New York, London, New Orleans, Hollywood, and Edinburgh. Her comedy has been seen at Caroline’s, Gotham Comedy Club, Highlights (UK), on VH1, MTV, NBC, Comedy Central and the stage of Saturday Night Live.  Her work has been called “hilarious” (NY Daily News), “vibrant” (Gothamist) and “surprisingly meaty” (Off-Off Online); she is a “a force of nature” (Scotsman) onstage. She is a member of the Drama Desk-nominated and NY Innovative Theater Award-winning ensemble, The New York Neo-Futurists. 

TAR BABY is written by Desiree Burch with help from writer-performer-storyteller Dan Kitrosser, directed by Isaac Byrne, and begins this limited Off-Broadway engagement with previews on January 5 at DR2 Theater, 103 East 15th St.  Opening night is slated for January 8th.

For more information or to schedule and interview contact Jake Platt at (973) 801-9821 or via email at PlattProductionsLLC@gmail.com.  Ticket information is available at Telecharge or on the WEB at http://tarbabyplay.wordpress.com/offbroadwa/