Escalation Time

Radicant Productions presents Escalation Time by Francesca Root-Dodson, starring Obie Winner Scott Shepherd*, Francesca Root-Dodson, and Conan McCarty*, directed by Molly Shayna Cohen, running November 7th-23rd at Studio 17.

Escalation Time is about Zev (Scott Shepherd) and Kate (Francesca Root-Dodson), two married professors at Columbia University who always assumed they shared the same ethical framework. But after the events of October 7th, Zev—who is Jewish—and Kate—who is not—unexpectedly find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. As each becomes involved in their respective campus protest movements, their disagreement threatens to engulf them—with devastating consequences. Escalation Time examines if it is possible for a marriage, or any relationship, to survive a conflict where the stakes are so high, and moral paradigms so starkly opposed. 

Preview performances : Nov 7 - 9
Opening Night : Nov 10

Talkbacks after select performances. Information below.

Run Time:  75 minutes, no intermission

This production contains violence, profanity, sexual content, and mention of abortion.

Please note, the theater is on the 3rd floor of the building with an ADA chair lift. There are several steps to enter the building that does not have a ramp. 

The Team 

Set Designer - Bridget Lindsay
Costume Designer - Victoria Cronin
Sound Designer - Steve Barroga
Lighting Designer - Eric Nightengale
Production Stage Manager - Shier Benhamou
Line Producer - Sage Kirwan
Production Coordinator - Victoria Provost
Fight Director - Simon Kiser
Production Assistants - Alexis Grusby and Dany Powers

Radicant Productions makes work that is nimble, responsive, in conversation with the zeitgeist. The company addresses topics that are thorny and timely: class, money—how you get it, keep it—and who is allowed to have cultural currency. Our productions are not meant to be passive viewing experiences; the audience is forced to reckon with the questions of the play. The conversation begins when the play ends. 

Production Questions:

For questions on tickets, the production, ADA accommodations, and more, email radicantproductions@gmail.com 

All sales are final. Ticket changes can be made, pending availability. 

Due to the intimate nature of this production, we are unable to accommodate late seating.

Post-show Conversations

• Sunday, November 16: led by Sean Glass, founder of @reunion, a film and theater event series in NY. He makes and produces films that have premiered at festivals like Cannes and Venice, is currently on DOC NYC jury after a film he produced won two years ago. His debut play as writer director will start previews soon. Previously, Sean has worked in music at Apple Music, Coachella, Universal Music and his own indie label. 
• Thursday, November 20: led by franny silverman, a facilitator specializing in conversations across significant ideological differences. franny brings skills honed with Resetting the Table, Kolot Chayeinu and Lab/Shul in addition to years of being a working actor and theatre maker. 
• Saturday, November 22 (2pm) : Ben Freeman and Melissa Shaw are on staff at Lab/Shul, an everybody-friendly, artist-driven, God-optional community for sacred Jewish gatherings. Both facilitators, educators, and multidisciplinary artists, Melissa is the Director of Social Action, supervising programs such as Courageous Conversations, a series for Lab/Shul community members to lean in on discussions about Israel-Palestine, while Ben is a ritual leader, musician, and director of curriculum and facilitation for two intimate and intensive rite of passage programs for adults.

*Actors are appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association. 

Per Equity Showcase Rules:

Complimentary tickets shall be made available to franchised agents, bona fide casting directors, professional producers, playwrights, choreographers, and directors. Such persons must be seated upon their arrival at the theatre. Actors' Equity Association members, upon presentation of a paid-up AEA membership card, shall be admitted to the theatre, at no cost, on a standby basis.