Jonathan Slaff News

In past generations, women had status in Asian societies as shamans, but such mysticism is now frowned on in most modern Asian cultures. Still, the idea of powerful ancient matriarchies is magnetic for many Asian American women who grew up in traditional families. Victoria Linchong is like many Americans of immigrant parents who seek their roots but feel disconnected from their heritage. She was inspired by memories of her Taiwanese grandmother to create 'Big Flower Eater,' a whimsical collage of folktales, rituals, dance and historical texts. Performed by an ensemble of three Asian-American actresses, the play conjures the untold history of women in Asia through shamanism in three different cultures: Hmong, Taiwanese and Korean. It will be presented by Theater for the New City tonight, February 7 to 24.

Theater for the New City's Mortgage Burning took place on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at TNC, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (East Village). Participants included F. Murray Abraham, David Amram, Charles Busch, Vinie Burrows, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kathleen Hughes, Jean-Claude van Itallie, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and surprise guests. Check out photos from the event below!

In past generations, women had status in Asian societies as shamans, but such mysticism is now frowned on in most modern Asian cultures. Still, the idea of powerful ancient matriarchies is magnetic for many Asian American women who grew up in traditional families. Victoria Linchong is like many Americans of immigrant parents who seek their roots but feel disconnected from their heritage. She was inspired by memories of her Taiwanese grandmother to create 'Big Flower Eater,' a whimsical collage of folktales, rituals, dance and historical texts. Performed by an ensemble of three Asian-American actresses, the play conjures the untold history of women in Asia through shamanism in three different cultures: Hmong, Taiwanese and Korean. It will be presented by Theater for the New City February 7 to 24.

Parents looking for amusements for their children during the Christmas break may be happy to learn that Lynnea Benson, Artistic Director of Frog and Peach Theatre Company, is bringing back Tinkerbell Theater, two fairy tale plays performed in rotating repertory, today, December 26 to December 31 at the West End Theater, 263 West 86th St. (between Broadway and West End Ave.) The plays, 'Cinderella' and 'The Tinderbox,' had been mounted this fall, playing to growing and appreciative audiences. Each show is followed by a puppet making workshop, in which the kids in attendance make their own sock puppets.

If 'Adam's Rib' and 'Moneyball' mated and begat a play, it might be 'Skybox,' a comedy of class warfare and the battle of the sexes that is set in the luxury box of a major league baseball park. The play, written by Walt Stepp and directed by Lissa Moira, is the successor to their collaboration on 'Siren's Heart: Norma Jean and Marilyn in Purgatory,' a play by Stepp which started at Theater for the New City and is now running Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre. 'Skybox' has been extended at Theater for the New City through December 9, 2012. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Now through December 2, La MaMa will present 'The Doll Ship' by Milena Markovic, directed by Ana Tomovic, accompanied by songs by Darko Rundek. The production, mounted by the Serbian National Theatre in 2009, renders the life of a woman artist, from childhood to old age, through an archetypal string of classic fairy tales. It won the Sterija Prize for the Best Play Production and the Critics' Round Table Award at the 54th Sterijino Pozorje Theatre Festival held in Novi Sad, Serbia, that year. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below!

Parents looking for amusements for their children during the Christmas break may be happy to learn that Lynnea Benson, Artistic Director of Frog and Peach Theatre Company, is bringing back Tinkerbell Theater, two fairy tale plays performed in rotating repertory, December 26 to 31 at the West End Theater, 263 West 86th St. Each show is followed by a puppet making workshop, in which the kids in attendance make their own sock puppets.

'Cabaret Emigré' by Sophia Romma, originally scheduled for November 2 to 18, now opens tonight, November 7 and will add performances November 11, 13 and 14 to make up for lost shows due to Hurricane Sandy. This new play, directed by Charles Weldon, is being presented by Negro Ensemble Company at the Lion Theater, Theater Row.

'Cabaret Emigré' by Sophia Romma, originally scheduled for November 2 to 18, will now open November 7 and will add performances November 11, 13 and 14 to make up for lost shows due to Hurricane Sandy. This new play, directed by Charles Weldon, is being presented by Negro Ensemble Company at the Lion Theater, Theater Row.

If 'Adam's Rib' and 'Moneyball' mated and begat a play, it might be 'Skybox,' a comedy of class warfare and the battle of the sexes that is set in the luxury box of a major league baseball park. The play, written by Walt Stepp and directed by Lissa Moira, is the successor to their collaboration on 'Siren's Heart: Norma Jean and Marilyn in Purgatory,' a play by Stepp which started at Theater for the New City and is now running Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre. Theater for the New City will present 'Skybox' November 8 to December 2 in its Cino Theater.

Theater for the New City will present the play, 'Three Sisters and a Priest,' October 4 to 21 in a double bill with 'Suicide Club,' a tragicomedy by Fratti in which, under false pretenses, a mother has joined a support group for survivors of family suicides.

Theater for the New City will present the play, 'Three Sisters and a Priest,' October 4 to 21 in a double bill with 'Suicide Club,' a tragicomedy by Fratti in which, under false pretenses, a mother has joined a support group for survivors of family suicides.

Adam Szymkowicz has been carving a niche for himself among our best young crop of comedy writers, describing love affairs of many kinds with an admirable simplicity. His latest work, 'The Why Overhead,' will have its premiere run tonight, September 6 to 23, presented by Zootopia Theatre Company at Access Theater, 380 Broadway. The piece imagines what happens in the office while the boss is away. Matthew J. Nichols directs a cast of 12, which includes Susan Louise O'Connor, a Theatre World Award winner for 'Blythe Spirit' on Broadway. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Theater for the New City 's 2012 Street Theater tour, '99% 'Reduced Fat, or, You Can Bank On Us,' an operetta for the Street with book, lyrics and direction by Crystal Field and score by Joseph Vernon Banks, will now appear at 6:30 PM (instead of 8:00 PM) tonight, August 17 at Coney Island Boardwalk (at West 10th Street), Brooklyn. The alteration was made in response to revised sound permit regulations.

Theater for the New City 's 2012 Street Theater tour, '99% 'Reduced Fat, or, You Can Bank On Us,' an operetta for the Street with book, lyrics and direction by Crystal Field and score by Joseph Vernon Banks, will now appear at 6:30 PM (instead of 8:00 PM) on Friday, August 17 at Coney Island Boardwalk (at West 10th Street), Brooklyn. The alteration was made in response to revised sound permit regulations.