NYC’s First Bitcoin-Themed Play: “Happenstance” Premieres in the East Village
BY TIM KINSLOW / OCTOBER 1, 2024 1:30 PM
New York, NY – This October, veteran crypto journalist Benjamin Schiller will debut his first full-length play, Happenstance, exploring the dramatic human stories intertwined with the rise of Bitcoin. Set to open in the heart of the East Village, this groundbreaking production centers on the struggles of a man facing prison for his early involvement in Bitcoin. As he fights for his freedom, the play delves deep into the themes of morality, family, and the human costs of financial innovation.
Drawing inspiration from the turbulent world of cryptocurrency, Schiller, who runs CoinDesk’s features and opinion desks, aimed to create a play that bridges the often technical and abstract world of Bitcoin with the emotional, human side of those involved. He found inspiration in real-life crypto scandals, including figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, to craft a narrative that explores the personal impacts of this revolutionary technology.
“Bitcoin has become this force that touches on so many aspects of modern life – politics, culture, finance, religion,” says Schiller. “I wanted to explore those complexities through the lens of a personal drama and give audiences a fresh perspective on this revolutionary technology.”
This isn’t Schiller’s first foray into theater—playwriting runs in his family. “My Dad’s family is from Czechoslovakia and before the war we had a big theater company. My granddad actually died on stage giving a Shakespeare soliloquy, and then my Dad was very involved in theater in London. So I’ve kind of had it in the blood, so to speak.” Despite his journalism background, this marks his first time writing and producing a full-scale production.
The play is directed by Roman Albear Primitivo, an acclaimed East Village dramatist and co-founder of the Lungs Theater Festival. Together, Schiller and Albear have brought Happenstance to life with the goal of capturing both the intrigue of cryptocurrency and the emotional core of its human players.
Performing at the historic Kraine Theater, Happenstance will run for five shows from October 23-26, 2024. As one of the first theatrical productions to focus on Bitcoin, it marks a unique and exciting moment for both the theater and crypto worlds.
Performance Details:
• Happenstance: A play about bitcoin, love and freedom
• Dates: October 23-26, 2024
• Venue: Kraine Theater, 4th Street East Village, NYC
• Showtimes: 7:00pm, one matinee (Saturday) 2:30pm
• Tickets: $20, available at www.happenstanceplay.com
Don’t miss the chance to see this captivating story that brings the world of Bitcoin to the New York stage!
