IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS ALBANY COUNTY PREMIERE

RENNSELAERVILLE – R’ville Stage Creations is proud to present the Albany County premiere of If It Bleeds It Leads, a one-man show written and performed by Sean Allison, on Saturday, September 20 at 7:00 pm at Conkling Hall. This powerful evening of live theatre showcases Allison’s award-winning storytelling, blending humor, heart, and raw honesty as he recounts his unforgettable experiences as a breaking news chaser in 1990s New York City. 

The pay-what-you-can production marks a special partnership between Allison and R’ville Stage Creations, bringing his acclaimed show to a new audience while giving back to the community. Proceeds will benefit the Mental Health Association of Columbia & Greene Counties Child Advocacy Center, a choice made collaboratively by Allison and the R’ville Stage Creations Board of Directors. 

R’ville Stage Creations’ Artistic Director Tara McCormick Hostash says, “We were inspired to produce Sean’s story because it aligns with our mission to provide a platform for performing arts in our community. His journey is both gripping and deeply human, and we are thrilled to share it with audiences while supporting an important local cause." 

Allison, who lives in Hudson, NY, is a familiar face to local audiences. Most recently he performed the role of Caliban in Open Air Shakespeare’s production of The Tempest as part of The Hudson Eye Annual Art Festival. He previously appeared as Reverend Parris in R’ville Stage Creations’ April 2025 production of The Crucible and will return to the company this October as Lurch in The Addams Family musical. 

Since his 2023 premiere of If It Bleeds It Leads at Theatre Row in NYC - where the piece won the Best Storyteller Award at the United Solo Festival - Allison has performed it at several regional and local venues including Park Theater and Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, Byrdcliffe Theater in Woodstock, and Race Brook Lodge in Lenox, MA. 

In describing the show, Allison reflects: “After spending my entire adult life in nearly absolute silence about my experiences on the street, I got a therapist and began writing my story. If It Bleeds It Leads is my true coming-of-age story chasing mayhem, murder, and love full speed behind the wheel of an auctioned-off cop car on the streets of the biggest media market in the world.”

Following the performance, audience members are invited to stay for a talkback with Allison, offering a unique opportunity to engage directly with the artist about the story and production. 

With its gripping storytelling and resonant themes, If It Bleeds It Leads promises to be an unforgettable evening of theatre with lasting community impact. 

If you go: 

● Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 7:00 pm (Lobby opens 6:00 pm, theatre doors 6:30 pm) 

● Venue: Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147 ● Tickets: Pay-what-you-can online or at the door. Seating limited, reservations recommended via the R’ville Stage Creations website 

https://rville-stage-creations.square.site/ or at 518-248-3261 

● Seating: General admission 

● Talkback: A post-show discussion with Sean Allison follows the performance ● Advisory: Contains mature language and themes; parental discretion advised