Arguendo Benefit

What is performance? What is speech? What is costume design? What if there’s no costume at all? These questions and more form the heart of an engaging and sometimes absurd debate when erotic dancers from The Kitty Kat Lounge take their case all the way to the Supreme Court.

Arguendo is a performance of the entire transcript of the oral argument of Barnes v. Glen Theatre, set against a spectacular backdrop of animated text. Careening around the stage in rolling chairs, the company ponders whether dancing naked is free speech or just immoral behavior. ERS stages this unexpectedly compelling text with humor, rigor and some immoral behavior of its own.

6:00pm Cocktail Reception

VIP ticket buyers will join the ERS Board of Directors before the show for passed canapés, cocktails, and wine at Lafayette, Andrew Carmellini’s new grand French restaurant.
380 Lafayette Street, NYC

7:00pm Performance

An exclusive performance of Arguendo celebrating the World Premiere engagement at The Public Theater.
425 Lafayette Street, NYC

8:30pm Conversation

Jeffrey Toobin (CNN & The New Yorker), Amy Adler (NYU Law School), and special guests will gather on stage for a lively discussion of the legal and cultural issues raised in the performance.

9:00pm Party
Mingle with the ERS company and Board after the show for drinks and light fare at the home of ERS Board Member (and constitutional law professor) Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz.

Click here to download the ticket order form —

Ticket Options

$1,000 VIP Single Ticket*
Access to pre-show cocktail reception & post-show party
VIP seating at Arguendo performance & conversation
Listing in benefit program
Take-home gift
*Special offer: $1,750 for a pair of VIP tickets
($850 tax deductible single ticket / $1,450 tax deductible pair of tickets)

$500 Preferred Single Ticket
Preferred seating at Arguendo performance & conversation
Access to post-show party
Listing in benefit program
Take-home gift
($400 tax deductible)

$350 General Single Ticket
General seating at Arguendo performance & conversation
Access to post-show party
Listing in benefit program
($250 tax deductible)

For more information or to RSVP via email or phone,
contact Ed McKeaney, Director of Development, at ed@elevator.org or 212-254-3137

Click here to download the ticket order form