Rainy Day Plays, in partnership with New York City Emergency Management and the Waterfront Alliance, will present the musical comedy Please Don’t Flush! as an official Climate Week NYC 2026 event. Free performances will take place in public spaces across the five boroughs from September 19 through September 27, 2026.
Written and directed by Sabina Sethi Unni, the production centers on a fictional community board meeting thrown into chaos while voting on a controversial waterfront development project. The narrative uses humor to explore concerns about inland flooding from local neighbors, plumbers, and wildlife.
The staging schedule begins Saturday, September 19, at 5:00 p.m. at Staten Island Urban Center in Stapleton. Additional outdoor and community locations include Baisley Pond Park in Jamaica, Queens, on September 20; Van Alen in Gowanus, Brooklyn, on September 22; and Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing on September 27.
“Flooding is a dangerous hazard, but preparedness messaging doesn’t always have to be serious for effectiveness,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Please Don’t Flush uses humor to start important conversations about flood risk and resilience, helping New Yorkers learn how to prepare before the next storm.”
“As climate impacts become more frequent and visible, we need new ways to engage communities in preparedness and resilience,” shared Julie Raskin, President and CEO of Waterfront Alliance. “By centering lived experiences and local voices, this production helps audiences connect with the importance of flood preparedness while reminding us that resilience is built together.”
The production features a cast of 10 actors, with music direction by Tom Lee, costume design by Zen Tunsaringkran, and sound engineering by Maxi Glenn. The public performances will also distribute educational resources and flood preparedness information to attending audiences.
Performance Dates
Saturday, September 19, 2026 / 5:00 p.m.
Staten Island Urban Center in Stapleton, Staten Island
Sunday, September 20, 2026 / 5:00 p.m.
Baisley Pond Park, Jamaica, Queens
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 / 6:30 p.m.
Van Alen in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Sunday, September 27, 2026 / 1:30 p.m.
Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing, Queens
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