“Happenstance” Opening Night Sees Art Meets Crypto in First Ever Bitcoin Play
UPDATE: Saturday October 28
"Happenstance," the first play to bring the world of Bitcoin to the stage, opened to a packed house at the historic Kraine Theater in New York City's East Village this week. Written by veteran crypto journalist Benjamin Schiller, the play explores the human impact of cryptocurrency through the story of a man facing prison for his role in Bitcoin's early development. The opening night was a crypto insider event with industry figures like Charlie Shrem, Laura Shin, and Michael Casey in attendance. Shrem was one of the influences for the main “Bitcoin Bad Boy” character. "Happenstance" offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of Bitcoin, weaving themes of freedom, morality, and love into a funny, charming and thoughtful experience.
OCTOBER 21
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!! SELLING FAST11
"HAPPENSTANCE" BEGINS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 THROUGH OCTOBER 26.. TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF TRIBE CAPITAL, BENNY GIANG AND BORDERLESS CAPITAL, AND TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED VIA GOFUNDME.
New York, NY - 09/16/24 – Veteran crypto journalist Benjamin Schiller is set to bring the drama and intrigue of the Bitcoin world to life on stage with his new play, premiering this October in New York City. Set in the East Village, Happenstance follows the story of a man facing prison time for his role in the early development of Bitcoin. As he grapples with his fate, his family and girlfriend pull him in different legal, financial and spiritual directions, exploring themes of freedom, morality and the human impact of cryptocurrency.
Schiller runs the features and opinion desks at CoinDesk, the crypto-journo outlet that broke the FTX scandal. He drew inspiration from real-life figures like the disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to craft a human story within the often-technical world of Bitcoin.
“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.”
Schiller began writing plays as a teen but this will be his first full production as both the writer and producer on a professional stage. Theater is a part of his family heritage. “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.”
Happenstance is directed by Roman Albear Primitivo, an East Village dramatist and artist. Albear is co-founder of the Lungs Theater Festival. In 2024, he directed the American production of “My Dad Is In Atlantis” by the Mexican playwright Javier Malpica with performances at Theater For a New City and Under St Mark’s. Ben met Roman in the East Village and their friendship bolstered Schiller’s conviction to bring his play to the public.
The play will run for five performances from October 23-26 at the historic Kraine Theater, a newly renovated 80-seat venue in the heart of the East Village theater district. Happenstance breaks new ground as one of the first plays to make Bitcoin a central theme, boldly bringing cryptocurrency to the stage in New York City.
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
For interviews and press passes, please contact:
• Benjamin Schiller
• (347) 342-6787
Links
www.instagram.com/happenstanceplay
www.gofundme.com/f/support-ben-schillers-play-happenstance
About Benjamin Schiller
Benjamin Schiller is a veteran journalist with a focus on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Currently the Director of Magazine at CoinDesk, he has covered some of the most significant developments in the crypto space. His work often explores how technology impacts the future.
