Unreported Story Society presents
OCTOBER 7
A Verbatim Play by Phelim McAleer - Directed by Jeff Gurner
Cast
Jonas Barranca · Yair Ben-Dor · Jeff Gurner · Jenny Anne Hochberg · René Ifrah · Leora Kalish · Paul Louis · Marissa O’Donnell · Rebecca Lynn Goldfarb · Salma Quarnain · Randy Schein · Alyssa Simon · Lynne Taylor · Nathan Vincenti
Creative Team
Lighting Designer: Andrew Garvis · Sound Designer: Jaime Osvaldo · Costume Designer: Sophie Schneider · Production Manager: Sajari Hume · Stage Manager: J.P. Elins · Assistant Stage Manager: Andrew Kasper
Performances
OCTOBER 7, written by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney, is a verbatim theater piece drawn entirely from interviews with eyewitnesses and survivors of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that killed over 1,200 people and led to the abduction of hundreds more.
The play eschews dramatization or editorializing, relying solely on the raw, unfiltered words of those who experienced the horrors firsthand to convey the human cost of the tragedy.
The production premiered in New York City at the Actors Temple Theatre, running from May 2 to June 16, 2024, where it drew sold-out audiences and sparked intense discussions despite facing protests and security challenges, becoming the first New York play in decades to require a permanent police presence during its run.
Following its New York run, the play made its campus debut at Princeton University on September 24, 2024, receiving a standing ovation from a packed house. It then traveled to UCLA for a special performance on October 7, 2024 — exactly one year after the attacks — where it was presented as a staged reading to commemorate the anniversary, again amid heightened security due to threats but ultimately delivering a moving experience for attendees. The latest performance was at Bowdoin College in Maine in September, 2025. Despite blacklist attempts and security concerns at various venues, the play has continued to tour the U.S., emphasizing the importance of sharing these unreported stories.
Media Reviews
The New York Post
“Regardless of your politics”
“Spellbinding…powerful and a sanctuary for truth. It breathes life into characters that will hopefully inspire people… When you can put yourself in the shoes of what these people went through, that’s what creates empathy. That’s very important … right now in this country, regardless of your politics.”
The Daily Mail
“The voices… are remembered”
“…serves as a reminder to not forget the stories of survivors and significance of the day…..ensuring that the voices of those impacted by the October 7 massacres are not only heard but also remembered.”
Stage & Cinema
“Radical truth telling”
“OCTOBER 7 insists that we look darkness in the face, try to understand what is happening, and make no excuses. It is an…. eyewitness account offered in the interest of radical truth telling…”
Audience Reactions
Past Shows
Protestors Didn't Stop the Show at UCLA's Campus
Protestors tried to cause issues at the UCLA showing, but did not succeed. It’s campuses like UCLA that need to hear the truth the most.
People Traveled Across the State to See Premier in NYC
The only play in New York that needed permanent NYPD protection.
Students Face the Truth at Princeton
Despite the pro-Palestinian protests sweeping the country, the students at Princeton saw the truth of the Oct. 7 attacks.
Donation
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Make a Donation
OCTOBER 7 – the play – gives voice to those who lived through that day. Their stories are tragic, they are moving, and they are heroic.
Your tax-deductible gift will allow us to bring the truth to a wider audience – including to Ivy League colleges. We also intend to film OCTOBER 7. Thank you.