How to Get to Heaven from the Crawfish Pond at Theater for the New City

Playwright, director and poet Melanie Maria Goodreaux returns to her longtime creative home, Theater for the New City (TNC), with the world premiere of How to Get to Heaven from the Crawfish Pond, a darkly comic Louisiana love story about death, desire, family, faith and the possibility of redemption.

The production marks a milestone for Goodreaux: 2026 is her 25th year of writing and directing plays in New York City. The anniversary arrives with another reason to celebrate. Two actors from her 2025 Theater for the New City production, The Popes of Farragut Street, have received 2026 AUDELCO Award nominations.

In How to Get to Heaven from the Crawfish Pond, Crawfish farmer Earl Roussel has been dead for ten years when he suddenly wakes up in a “Purgatory” that happens to be his front yard. He longs for his beloved wife, Ruth, who is on her deathbed but escapes at night to see him so they can make love. Meanwhile, their estranged sons and daughter are at odds over money “stolen” from the family, and a pair of nuns may be more con artists than women of God.

Set in Louisiana and infused with Goodreaux’s blend of magical realism, surreal comedy, spirituality and poetry, How to Get to Heaven from the Crawfish Pond asks what we owe the people we love before, and perhaps even after, death. As Earl and Ruth refuse to let something as inconvenient as mortality separate them, their children must confront old wounds, family secrets and the question of whether reconciliation is still possible when time is running out.

The new play continues Goodreaux’s exploration of New Orleans and Louisiana culture, Black life, spirituality, family and the complicated ways people search for love and redemption.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

November 5–8, 12–15, 19–22, 2026 Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 PM Sundays at 3:00 PM

Theater for the New City 155 First Avenue New York, NY 10003

Tickets: $25 Senior and Student Discounts: $15 Pay What You Can Sundays

Tickets and information: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35441/production/1293298

Written by: Melanie Maria Goodreaux Directed by: Melanie Maria Goodreaux with Christopher Bello

CAST

Arlene A. McGruder, Alan Walls, Jasmyn Unique Tilford, Javán Robinson, Riyadh Rollins, Tabitha Bradley and Mary-Linda Greene

PRODUCTION TEAM

Set & Props: Lytza Colon, Gregory Paul Lighting Design: Alex Bartenieff Sound Design: Luke Santy, Boston Fielder/Urb Alt, Anthony Harper, Christopher Bello Visuals/Projections: Anthony Harper/Christopher Bello Casting: Mary-Linda Greene Costumes: Billy Little Graphics: Diane Sullivan, Christopher Bello Producers: Mark Holloway, David Kahl, Anthony Harper, Bruce Morrow, Norah Lawlor Media Relations: Norah Lawlor, Lawlor Media Group