Mark Plesent News

Written by Dan Hoyle, directed by Tamilla Woodard and developed with Maureen Towey & Tamilla Woodard, the production begins previews today, May 28th with an official opening on Tuesday, June 7th at 7:00PM. Performances will continue on through June 23rd at Urban Stages in Manhattan and venues in the other four boroughs. For more information, visit www.workingtheatre.org.

Working Theater, the Off-Broadway company that in 2013 staged a production (about undocumented workers crossing the border to find work in this country) in the confines of an actual 48' trailer truck, will once again shed a unique light on a group of individuals rarely portrayed on stage. Under the direction of Artistic Producing Director Mark Plesent, the company will present THE BLOCK - a new play about community in the Bronx - which is no longer burning, but where life on the streets is as brutal as ever.

Working Theater, the Off-Broadway company under the direction of Artistic Producing Director Mark Plesent, will continue celebrating its 30th Anniversary season by presenting 'work in progress' showings of the FIVE BOROUGHS / ONE CITY plays that five teams of critically acclaimed playwrights and directors have developed in collaboration with communities and residents in each of the five boroughs in New York City. Showings will be held May 6 - May 10 at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, 312 West 36th Street, first floor.

Working Theater, the Off-Broadway company under the direction of Artistic Producing Director Mark Plesent, will continue celebrating its 30th Anniversary season by presenting "work in progress" showings of the FIVE BOROUGHS / ONE CITY plays that five teams of critically acclaimed playwrights and directors have developed in collaboration with communities and residents in each of the five boroughs in New York City. Showings will be held May 6 - May 10 at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, 312 West 36th Street, first floor.

In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.

The legendary Cherry Lane Theatre - which this year will celebrate its 90th anniversary as one of the nation's most revered institutions for its commitment to producing new works for the stage - opens its 90th season with the world-premiere of Lisa Ramirez's play TO THE BONE directed by Lisa Peterson, set to open tonight, September 17 at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St. in Greenwich Village). The production runs through October 4.

The legendary Cherry Lane Theatre - which this year will celebrate its 90th anniversary as one of the nation's most revered institutions for its commitment to producing new works for the stage - will begin its 90th season with the world-premiere of Lisa Ramirez's play TO THE BONE directed by Lisa Peterson, set to commence previews tonight, September 9 prior to an official opening night September 17 at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St. in Greenwich Village), it has been announced by Angelina Fiordellisi, the company's Founding Artistic Director. The production runs through October 4.

The OBIE Award-winning Theater:Village festival, which is presented by Axis Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, New Ohio Theatre, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, returns for its second year, today, September 4 - October 5.

The legendary Cherry Lane Theatre - which this year will celebrate its 90th anniversary as one of the nation's most revered institutions for its commitment to producing new works for the stage - will begin its 90th season with the world-premiere of Lisa Ramirez's play TO THE BONE directed by Lisa Peterson, set to commence previews September 9 prior to an official opening night September 17 at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St. in Greenwich Village), it has been announced by Angelina Fiordellisi, the company's Founding Artistic Director. The production runs through October 4.

The OBIE Award-winning Theater:Village festival, which is presented by Axis Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, New Ohio Theatre, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, returns for its second year, September 4 - October 5. Following last year's The Hill Town Plays, which presented five works by the playwright Lucy Thurber, this year's festival, titled E Pluribus, will feature four new plays celebrating the diversity of America.

Working Theater, in its 29th season off-Broadway, will in collaboration with the Harold Clurman Lab Theater, offer a piercing perspective on healthcare reform in the United States, with MERCY KILLERS, written and performed by Michael Milligan. The play, directed by Tom Oppenheim will make its off-Broadway premiere on January 7th at the Stella Adler Studio's Theater 2B, 31 West 27th Street. The production will have its official opening on January 15th and will be performed in various communities throughout New York City in order to directly realize Working Theater's mission to bring theater to communities where working people live.

Working Theater, the 28-year-old Off-Broadway company, in collaboration with Magnum Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Magnum Photos legacy and supporting photography around social justice issues, have joined forces to present Ed Cardona, Jr.'s LA RUTA, a world premiere immigration-themed play that will be staged inside the trailer and cab of an actual 48' truck. An accompanying photographic installation about the immigrant experience will also be presented.

Working Theater, the 28-year-old Off-Broadway company, in collaboration with Magnum Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Magnum Photos legacy and supporting photography around social justice issues, have joined forces to present Ed Cardona, Jr.'s LA RUTA, a world premiere immigration-themed play that will be staged inside the trailer and cab of an actual 48' truck. An accompanying photographic installation about the immigrant experience will also be presented.

Working Theater, the 28-year-old Off-Broadway company, in collaboration with Magnum Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the Magnum Photos legacy and supporting photography around social justice issues, have joined forces to present Ed Cardona, Jr.'s LA RUTA, a world premiere immigration-themed play that will be staged inside the trailer and cab of an actual 48' truck. An accompanying photographic installation about the immigrant experience will also be presented. This unique collaboration will shed a deeper light on one of today's hot-button issues - immigration reform. Previews begin April 10, 2013 with an official press opening on April 18th. Tamilla Woodard, known for her innovative site-specific work (HOTEL PROJECT), will direct the production. The play will be performed in various communities throughout New York City in order to directly realize Working Theater's mission to bring theater to working people.

LA RUTA - a new play by Ed Cardona Jr. commissioned by Working Theater in 2011 -- will debut in an Off-Broadway production by Working Theater with preview performances starting April 10th and an official press opening on April 18th. Tamilla Woodard, known for her innovative site-specific work (HOTEL PROJECT), will direct the production. It has been announced by Mark Plesent, Working Theater's Producing Artistic Director.

Working Theater presents the Off-Broadway production of The Best of TheaterWorks!: Stories from the 99%. The production will feature six of the best short plays to come out of Working Theater's TheaterWorks! program. The 10-year old program teaches working men and women (bus drivers, doormen, 911 operators, DMV workers etc.) to write and perform their own short plays about their experiences at work. The classes end with a stage reading style performance where the students are teamed with professional actors and directors. This production however will be fully realized by a professional cast and crew.

Working Theater presents the Off-Broadway production of The Best of TheaterWorks!: Stories from the 99%. The production will feature six of the best short plays to come out of Working Theater's TheaterWorks! program. The 10-year old program teaches working men and women (bus drivers, doormen, 911 operators, DMV workers etc.) to write and perform their own short plays about their experiences at work. The classes end with a stage reading style performance where the students are teamed with professional actors and directors. This production however will be fully realized by a professional cast and crew.

CALL ME WALDO -- a new play by Rob Ackerman (TABLETOP) -- will debut Off-Broadway in a production by The Working Theater with preview performances starting February 14 prior to its official opening night on February 22 at the June Havoc Theatre (312 W. 36 St. in Manhattan), it has been announced by Mark Plesent, Working Theater's Producing Artistic Director.