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Polly Noonan

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Polly Noonan BIO

Polly Noonan most recently appeared at the Goodman in Passion Play: a cycle in three parts during the 2007/2008 Season. Her recent work includes the premieres of Dead Man’s Cell Phone at Woolly Mammoth Theatre and of Passion Play: a cycle in three parts at Arena Stage (Helen Hayes nomination). Other Ruhl premieres include Eurydice at Madison Repertory; Melancholy Play, directed by Jessica Thebus; and Orlando, commissioned and directed by Joyce Piven, at the Piven Theatre Workshop. Ms. Noonan has worked on Sarah Ruhl’s plays for 10 years, starting at the Piven Theatre Workshop with Sarah’s adaptation of Orlando. Other productions directed by Joyce Piven include Eurydice, Brilliant Traces, and American Voices at the Piven Theatre Workshop and Orlando at the Actors’ Gang in Los Angeles. Ms. Noonan was a member of the Piven Theatre Workshop’s Young People’s Company, and a founding member of the New Criminals, a commedia dell’Arte theater company.  She appeared in most of the company shows, including Methusalem, directed by John Cusack, and Accidental Death of An Anarchist, directed by Steve Pink. She has worked on new plays at the Sundance Institute, the Geva Theatre Center, New Dramatists, Soho Repertory and Playwrights Horizons. She attended Vassar College and the School of the Art Institute, Chicago. Her film work includes Novocaine, High Fidelity, Arizona Dream and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. If you like music, check her out on the cover of the Lemonhead’s album It’s a Shame About Ray or listen to her random phone message (track 11) on Lovey.

Polly Noonan STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Women's Project Theater Original Off-Broadway Production, 2015
Stage Manager


Polly Noonan Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

Polly NoonanDead Man's Cell Phone

Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play

Polly NoonanPassion Play, A Cycle

Polly Noonan News


Photos: Elvis Costello, Paula Vogel, And More Turn Out For LETTERS FROM MAX Opening Night At Signature Theatre!


Signature Theatre presents the world premiere production of MacArthur Fellow Sarah Ruhl's Letters From Max, directed by Kate Whoriskey, based on the book by Ruhl and Max Ritvo (Milkweed Editions), running through March 19, 2023. See photos from the show's opening night celebration featuring the show's star Jessica Hecht, rock icon Elvis Costello and more!

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of BECKY NURSE OF SALEM at Lincoln Center Theater


See photos from opening night of Becky Nurse of Salem, a new play by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Rebecca Taichman, now playing at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. 

World Premiere SECONDO Announced At TheaterWorks Hartford This Summer


TheaterWorks Hartford presents the World Premiere of SECONDO the sequel to our beloved hit show, I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI by Jacques Lamarre based on stories by Giulia Melucci. Directed by Rob Ruggiero, the production runs JULY 29 – AUGUST 28 and marks the 10th anniversary since I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI first enamored Hartford audiences.

Capital Repertory Theatre Presents THE TRUE, The Story Of The Powerhouse Confidant Behind Albany's Democratic Machine 


The True, an intimate portrait of the bounds of love, loyalty and  female power in the male-dominated world of 1977 patronage politics, will open on Tuesday  April 5, 2022, at Capital Repertory Theatre (251 North Pearl Street) with previews starting on  Friday, April 1 and running through Sunday, April 24.  

Meryl Streep & Kevin Kline to Star in Sarah Ruhl's DEAR ELIZABETH Presented by Spotlight on Plays


The “Spotlight on Plays” series will conclude on Thursday, June 17 with Sarah Ruhl’s Dear Elizabeth starring Academy Award winners Kevin Kline and Meryl Streep with stage directions voiced by Polly Noonan.  Dear Elizabeth will premiere on Thursday, June 17 at 8PM EST/5PM PST and will be available for a limited time only.

Virtual Theatre Today: Thursday, July 16- with Julianne Moore, George Takei & More!


Today (July 16) in live streaming: Broadway barks is back, MCC presents Good As New, and so much more!

The New Group Off Stage Presents Benefit Reunion Reading of THE TRUE, Starring Edie Falco, Michael McKean, and More


The New Group Off Stage will present a Reunion Reading Series featuring original casts of iconic plays from the company's first 25 years. This benefit Reunion Reading Series kicks off tonight, July 16 at 7:00pm with Sharr White's The True.

The New Group Off Stage Presents Benefit Reunion Readings Featuring Edie Falco, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Zegen and More


The New Group Off Stage will present a Reunion Reading Series featuring original casts of iconic plays from the company's first 25 years.

Phoenix Best, Amber Iman, and More Among Latest Vassar Powerhouse Casting


Vassar & New York Stage and Film have announced additional casting for the highly anticipated 35th Powerhouse Season in Poughkeepsie, NY, which continues through Sunday, July 28.

BWW Review: Edie Falco, Michael McKean and Peter Scolari Tackle Politics and Marriage in Sharr White's THE TRUE


Dorothea 'Polly' Noonan, the real-life central character of Sharr White's new political drama, THE TRUE, was the grandmother of current United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.  If times were different, she might have been in the Senate herself, keeping the seat warm for her.

Tickets Go On Sale Today For The New Group's THE TRUE


Tickets go onsale today, July 16, for The New Group's The True. Directed by Scott Elliott, The True begins performances September 4 in advance of an Official Opening Night on September 20. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through October 21 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).

Austin Cauldwell and More Join Edie Falco in The New Group's THE TRUE


The New Group has announced full casting for Sharr White's The True, with Austin Cauldwell, Glenn Fitzgerald and John Pankow joining, as previously announced, Edie Falco, Michael McKean and Peter Scolari in this world premiere production launching the company's 2018-2019 Season.

CLUELESS, THE MUSICAL, Edie Falco, Alan Cumming and More Make Up New Group's 2018-2019 Season


The New Group has announced four world premiere productions for its upcoming 2018-2019 Season. The company's new season begins in Fall 2018 with Sharr White's The True, directed by Scott Elliott, with Edie Falco, Michael McKean and Peter Scolari. The company's season continues in Fall 2018 with Clueless, The Musical, by Amy Heckerling, with choreography by Kelly Devine, directed by Kristin Hanggi; followed in Winter 2019 by Jeremy O. Harris' 'Daddy,' a co-production with Vineyard Theatre, directed by Danya Taymor, featuring Alan Cumming; and in Spring 2019, Jesse Eisenberg's Yea, Sister!, directed by Scott Elliott.

The Tank Moves to New Home for 2017-18 Season, Featuring YOKAI, PILLOWTALK and More


The Tank will present their 2017/18 Season out of a new home at 312 West 36th Street which boasts two theater spaces, a 98 seat proscenium and 56 seat blackbox. Building upon The Tank's 14-year legacy of providing a home for new work by emerging artists, The Tank is thrilled to bring their producing and presenting together under one roof.

Brooklyn College Presents the 12th Annual Weasel Festival Hosted by the Public Theater


The Department of Theater at Brooklyn College is one of New York City's outstanding institutions in the training of theater artists. With the assistance of a generous grant from the Tow Foundation, the Department of Theater in conjunction with the MFA Playwriting Program, headed by co-coordinators Mac Wellman and Erin Courtney, will present the annual Weasel Festival, hosted by The Public Theater.

Brooklyn College Presents the 12th Annual Weasel Festival Hosted by the Public Theater


The Department of Theater at Brooklyn College is one of New York City's outstanding institutions in the training of theater artists. With the assistance of a generous grant from the Tow Foundation, the Department of Theater in conjunction with the MFA Playwriting Program, headed by co-coordinators Mac Wellman and Erin Courtney, will present the annual Weasel Festival, hosted by The Public Theater.

Brooklyn College Presents the 12th Annual Weasel Festival Hosted by the Public Theater


The Department of Theater at Brooklyn College is one of New York City's outstanding institutions in the training of theater artists. With the assistance of a generous grant from the Tow Foundation, the Department of Theater in conjunction with the MFA Playwriting Program, headed by co-coordinators Mac Wellman and Erin Courtney, will present the annual Weasel Festival, hosted by The Public Theater.

3rd Annual New Works Brooklyn Festival to Feature Plays by Lindsey Ferrentino and More


The Brooklyn College Department of Theater will present its third annual New Works Brooklyn festival on April 5 - 9, 2017.

Photo Coverage: Sarah Ruhl Honored with Steinberg Playwright Award


Just last night, Sarah Ruhl was honored with the 2016 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award  at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. The evening featured performances of Ruhl's work by Blair Brown, Kathleen Chalfant, Maria Dizzia, Jessica Hecht, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Polly Noonan and Joseph J. Parks. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special night and you can check out photos below!

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kathleen Chalfant and More to Perform Sarah Ruhl's Works at 2016 Mimi Awards


Theatre luminaries will gather on Monday, November 14, 2016, to honor award-winning playwright Sarah Ruhl with the 2016 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, presented by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Polly Noonan FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Polly Noonan been nominated for?

Polly Noonan has been nominated for the following awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Dead Man's Cell Phone" and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Passion Play, A Cycle."

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