New York, NY - 10/28/24 - "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.
“It’s a play, it’s a musical, it’s a satire, it’s a comedy — it’s Bitcoin’s first time on the small stage”
“I was very very happy to see Happenstance,” said Nick Gillespie, Reason Magazine Editor in Chief. “It is a very funny, sad, weird, utopian, kind of disturbing, yet totally wonderful play. Look for Happenstance, wherever it happens next. It’s a wonderful commentary on Bitcoin.”
Molly Jane Zuckerman in Blockworks called the play a “commentary on crypto, effective altruism, wealth, finance, free speech and yoga” and said it “was genuinely heartwarming to see the crypto journos and builders all come together in one tiny theater on the lower East Side to support cryptocurrency’s first theatrical debut.”
Meanwhile, crypto journalist David Morris wrote in his Substack “Dark Markets”:
“The play is solid in this first iteration, and has a clear standout in Olivia Hardin’s portrayal of “Barbara Schwagg,” a clear stand-in for Sam Bankman-Fried’s mother Barbara Fried. Though in this iteration Barbara is frantically trying to get her son on a flight to a non-extradition country before he begins a prison sentence, Hardin brings the precise aura of fragile, manic aggression exuded by the real Barbara. I’m told there are discussions underway to have the play produced in conjunction with future crypto events, so fingers crossed there will be more chances to see this.”
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
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.
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