Dirty Gold Theatre Presents Insomnia Cafe

Everyone wants to belong somewhere. Even in captivity. Dirty Gold Theatre Company is proud to announce the Austin premiere of Insomnia Cafe, a darkly comic original play written by Austin playwright Breanna Bietz and directed by Roy Lazorwitz. The production runs June 4th–7th and June 10th–13th, 2026, at Stage Austin, 6134 E Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78752. Tickets are on sale now. Inside a warped recreation of a sitcom apartment, two obsessive superfans attempt to build a “Friends” fantasy world. To serve their delusion, they kidnap a man they believe is the perfect Chandler Bing. What begins as absurd fandom spirals into a dark, surreal examination of loneliness, media dependency, and the desperate need to belong somewhere, even in captivity. Part psychological hostage story, part pop-culture fever dream, Insomnia Cafe blends uncomfortable comedy with emotional collapse to explore what happens when television stops being escapism and becomes identity itself. As the lines between performance and reality begin to disintegrate, three people must confront the dangerous comfort of living inside other people’s stories. About the Creative Team Playwright Breanna Bietz is a staple of the Austin improv and sketch comedy scene, bringing her sharp comedic instincts and theatrical sensibility to this full-length work. She previously wrote and directed the highly-lauded Terminator the Musical. Director Roy Lazorwitz is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Dirty Gold Theatre Company. Last year, he received critical acclaim for his direction of Venus in Fur, which received multiple B. Iden Payne Awards. Lazorwitz brings a proven command of psychologically charged material to this Austin premiere. Cast Kyle Romero as MAN Lena Long as WOMAN Justin Smith as Dwyer Performance Details Dates: June 4–7 and June 10–13, 2026 Time: 8:00 PM CT (Wednesday–Saturday) | 5:00 PM CT (Sundays) Venue: Stage Austin, 6134 E Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78752 About Dirty Gold Theatre Company Dirty Gold Theatre Company is an Austin-based theater company committed to bold, original work. Under the artistic direction of Roy Lazorwitz and Rebecca Greaves, the company produces new and challenging plays for Austin audiences. For more information, visit dirtygoldtheatre.com.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3644868-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3644868-2

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