Nurses on Broadway! (almost)

Nurses Activism

Published

Press release:

"NURSE!"

Announcing the New York Premiere of "Nurse!"

Written and Performed by Lisa Hayes

Produced by Theodore L. Manekin

Based on the real-life nurses' strike at St Catherine of Sienna, Smithtown, Long Island.

Latham, NY, April 3, 2003-Nursing moves from the bedside to the bargaining table and from the headlines to the picket lines in the New York premiere of Nurse!, a new play by actress/playwright Lisa Hayes.

The Off-Broadway production of Nurse!, directed by Annie Levy, will be presented at the José Quintero Theatre, 534 W. 42nd St. (between 10th and 11th Avenues). The official Opening Night will be Tuesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. and the play will run from May 6 through May 18. The play is being sponsored by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and produced by Theodore L. Manekin to celebrate Nurses Week (May 6-12), which honors the contributions to society of nurses nationwide.

Lisa Hayes plays all 11 characters in her dramatization of what can happen when nurses go out on strike. She was given complete access to real-life RNs during a NYSNA job action last year. She interviewed them extensively, marched with them, sat in on negotiations, and joined in their struggles and celebrations. Barbara Crane, RN, chair of NYSNA's Delegate Assembly and a very active NYSNA member, said, "Lisa Hayes has the incredible talent needed to capture the subtle nuances of all the characters, from the male-chauvinist hospital lawyer, the fiery union leader, to the most reluctant nurse, worried about the impending crisis. She wrote this play to show the powerful impact RNs can have when we take a stand for our profession and our patients."

Poor working conditions for RNs are among the gravest crises facing our healthcare system today. Hayes' play illustrates how such poor conditions can drive devoted, experienced RNs to take actions to protect their patients' safety. It is also a tribute to the heroism and dedication of RNs everywhere.

Hayes and Levy have worked together before. Levy was assistant director on "As It Is In Heaven," both at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Off-Broadway. Hayes's one-woman play, "Jane Eyre", has been hailed throughout the U.S. and Great Britain. Her adaptation of "Lysistrata" debuted at Buffalo's O'Connell & Company as part of the worldwide Lysistrata Project. She has more than 20 years' experience in theater, film, and television. For more information on Hayes, visit http://www.janeeyre.com.

NYSNA is also bringing "Nurse!" to the Cabaret in the Square, Buffalo, April 24-27; the NYSNA Conference Center in Latham on May 22; and Playwrights Theatre in Madison, N.J., May 23-24. Tickets for the New York run go on sale April 20. They will cost $25. ($20 for members of NYSNA and other unions, and for nursing students).

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Tues.- Sat. with matinees on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. For reservations, call the box office at 212.244.7529 after April 20. For more information, visit the NYSNA Web site at: http://www.nysna.org.

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), with more than 34,000 members, is New York's largest union and professional association for Registered Nurses. NYSNA is the only organization that exclusively represents the interests of New York State's RNs, and is recognized nationwide as a trendsetter in improving RNs' wages and working conditions. NYSNA works to advance the nursing profession through collective bargaining and legislative activities, and fosters high standards of nursing education and practice. It is a constituent of the American Nurses Association and a founding member of its labor arm, the United American Nurses, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

###

"Nurse!"

Performances:

April 24 - 27: Cabaret in the Square Theatre

4476 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 716.839.3949

May 6 - 18: José Quintero Theatre

534 West 42nd St., New York, NY, 212.244.PLAY

May 22: NYS Nurses Association

11 Cornell Road, Latham, NY, 518.782.9400, ext. 277

May 23 - 24: Playwrights Theatre

33 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ, 973.514.1787

Contact: Martha L. Gershun, 518.782.9400, ext. 222

http://www.nysna.org/news/press/pr2003/040303.htm

Specializes in ICU.

Don't tell me someone in the media is ACTUALLY trying to portray nusing realistically??????????

WOW!!!!!!

Would love to see it!

Maybe it will be shown on PBS, or there will be a video for rent available.

Hooray for Lisa Hayes!

Good idea. Maybe if NYSNA gets enough requests for a video of the play, they'll make one available. Send an email on the subject to [email protected] or call Martha L. Gershun at 518.782.9400, ext. 222 to suggest it.

Good idea. Maybe if NYSNA gets enough requests for a video of the play, they'll make one available. Send an email on the subject to [email protected] or call Martha L. Gershun at 518.782.9400, ext. 222 to suggest it.

I would like to see the play too. Would be nice if it would be on PBS. Will email them. Again, thanks

I would like to see the play too. Would be nice if it would be on PBS. Will email them. Again, thanks

jt,

thanks. I emailed requesting that a video be made available for rent or purchase.

jt,

thanks. I emailed requesting that a video be made available for rent or purchase.

me too. Heres the response I just received:

Thanks for your interest in "Nurse!" Video is an interesting idea -- we'll look into it!

Martha L. Gershun

Director of Communications & Public Relations

New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)

11 Cornell Road

Latham, NY 12110-1499

Tel.: 518-782-9400, ext. 222

+ Add a Comment