AWARD-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT DENNIS BUSH RETURNS TO THE FRESH FRUIT FESTIVAL
WITH WORLD PREMIERE OF
“THE SLOPPY ABANDON OF EXCAVATED LOVE”
The “Writer to be Reckoned With” Opens New York’s Premiere LGBTQ+ Arts Showcase at The Wild Project this April

A FEATURED EVENT of The Fresh Fruit Festival MAINSTAGE
Bold, Queer, Unapologetic

Following the record-breaking success of his previous hits, prolific playwright and Dramatists Guild member Dennis Bush returns to the spotlight to open the 2026 Fresh Fruit Festival Mainstage. His newest work, The Sloppy Abandon of Excavated Love, will kick off the festival on Monday, April 20, at The Wild Project (195 E 3rd St, NYC).

Hailed by Edge Media as “the most inclusive expression of LGBT arts ever held in the City of New York,” the Fresh Fruit Festival has selected Bush’s latest drama to lead its dynamic two-week showcase of LGBTQ+ brilliance.

The Play: A Ghost from the Past
The Sloppy Abandon of Excavated Love explores the fragile architecture of modern relationships when confronted by the echoes of history. After discovering a long-lost journal from the 1980s, Marcus becomes dangerously entangled in the past. His obsession begins to upend his present life, threatening his relationship with his boyfriend, Jason, and complicating his bond with his roommate, Kelvin.

Performance Schedule:
Monday, April 20 @ 7:00 PM (Opening Night)
Wednesday, April 22 @ 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 25 @ 2:00 PM

A Legacy of “Industry-Savvy” Success
Dennis Bush is no stranger to the Fresh Fruit Festival stage. His previous entry, Head First, was the festival’s most significant commercial and critical triumph to date—drawing standing-room-only crowds, generating top box office receipts, and sweeping the awards for Outstanding Play, Outstanding Director, and Outstanding Performance.

Described by TheatreMania as “a writer to be reckoned with,” Bush’s influence spans the globe. With over 50 published plays and monologue collections, his work has been staged in major cultural hubs including London, Paris, Sydney, Johannesburg, and Rome. From the “critics’ pick” Mouthy Bitch to the internationally screened feature film Love or Whatever, Bush has solidified his reputation for “truth-serum” storytelling—finding the raw, authentic logic in the human experience.

About the Playwright
Dennis Bush is a veteran playwright, screenwriter, and industry coach whose work is represented worldwide by Next Stage Press. A reviewer once described Dennis’ work as, ‘living at the intersection of hilariously funny and heartbreakingly tragic.” His plays are full of complex characters who navigate the full range of emotions. He serves as script/dialogue consultant for a variety of clients in theatre, film, and TV, and coaches and mentors writers and actors.

Ticket Information
Tickets for The Sloppy Abandon of Excavated Love and the Fresh Fruit Festival Mainstage are available now. Due to the high demand for Bush’s previous premieres, early booking is strongly recommended.
Venue: The Wild Project | 195 E 3rd St, New York, NY
Tickets https://events.ticketleap.com/events/alloutarts