Finks

fink \fingk\: n. 1. a contemptible person; 2. strikebreaker; 3. an informer

Based on true events from the lives of the playwright's parents Jack and Madeline Lee Gilford, Finks follows stand-up comic on the verge of a TV breakthrough and an actress/activist who fall in love. But in the summer of 1952, the House Un-American Activities Committee is about to present the terrible choice that tests not only their romance, but the friendships, loyalties and convictions of a generation.

Joe Gilford will direct this staged reading himself.

Gilford remarked that the “intent of the play is to make sure the audience knows how horrible it was to be blacklisted; how tragic and wasteful.” He continued, “I wanted to show how arbitrary the HUAC [House Un-American Activities Committee] was in its actions; the absurdity of questioning anyone’s political beliefs or their right to free expression and how we have to be vigilant as this continues to happen time and time again.”

Starring Scott Cohen (Broadway: Losing Louie; TV: The 10th Kingdom, Gilmore Girls, and Law & Order; Film: Kissing Jessica Stein) and Ned Eisenberg (Broadway: Awake and Sing!), from the original producation at Vassar and New York Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Theater. More cast members to be announced at a later date.