Ep 455- Activist, Author, Theatre Legend David Rothenberg Talks His New Book!

Manhattan Mayhem is the new book from legendary activist and author David Rothenberg. Manhattan Mayhem will be officially released April 2. Manhattan Mayhem is a must-read for anyone who loves New York, or anyone who has got the rhythm of New York coursing through their veins. A mensch with a big mouth, a big heart, and big ideas, Rothenberg’s 18 stories capture the mood and heartbeat of the planet's most pulsating plot of land. With heartbreak, humor and hope, Rothenberg shares personal urban fables reflecting on friendships, faith, family and fortune. MORE ABOUT DAVID ROTHENBERG... David Rothenberg‘s multilayered life has thrust him into Broadway‘s brightest lights, prison riots, political campaigns, civil rights sit-ins, and a Central American Civil War. After reading the script for Fortune and Men’s Eyes by former prisoner and playwright John Herbert, he was instrumental in producing the play in New York. He started The Fortune Society on the stage after a performance. Moved by the performance, 16 audience members contributed $2 each, Rothenberg opened a bank account for $32, and The Fortune Society was born. 58 years later, The Fortune Society has a staff of 600 people and six residences for formerly incarcerated men and women. Unique in the history of the American Theatre, this was a social change movement with national implications that penetrated through the proscenium arch. Later, he was a civilian observer during the Attica Prison riot, which left a deep impression on him and spurred his lifelong activism for prisoner's rights. This inspired him to found the Fortune Society in 1967, now one of the nation’s leading advocacy and service organizations in criminal justice. As a theatre publicity agent, he represented some of the most heralded and successful productions in the second half of the 20th century including Richard Burton‘s Hamlet; the original production of Hair; Beyond The Fringe; Sir John Gielgud’s production of The School for Scandal; Tennessee Williams’ Night Of The Iguana and Slapstick Tragedy; Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party; and several plays by Edward Albee including Everything In The Garden, Box Mao Box, Sandbox, Death of Bessie Smith and The American Dream; Blue Man Group; Tony and Tina’s Wedding; An Evening with Maurice Chevalier; and nearly 200 other productions. Rothenberg’s one-man show Namedropping was first presented off-Broadway in 2003 and is still performed in the New York City area. As a social activist, he was appointed to the NYC Commission of Human Rights. He also served on several special state and city commissions in New York City, including a Governor’s Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice, a Mayor’s Task Force on Child Abuse, and the American Bar Association Commission on Correction. He has testified before numerous government committees, including several in Washington DC, before Senate and House Committees, and before State Legislative Committees around the nation.  His book "Manhattan Mayhem" will be available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. _______________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices