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F. Murray Abraham, Austin Pendleton, and More Celebrate Theater for the New City's Annual Free Lower East Side Festival

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F. Murray Abraham, Austin Pendleton, and More Celebrate Theater for the New City's Annual Free Lower East Side Festival Image

To celebrate the official kick-off of Summer, Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Co-founder and Artistic Director) will host the 23rd annual LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL, a FREE Summer Arts Festivals at Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.). The festival will take place over Memorial Day Weekend, May 25 - 27, 2018 from 6pm - 1am and will feature theater, music, art, dance, video, film, aerial arts, poetry, magic and comedy with over 190 performances over the course of the weekend. For the full list of performers and schedule please, visit www.theaterforthenewcity.net.

Theater for the New City is also proud to announce the grand opening of their brand new, state-of-the-art, Gerald Rupp Wheelchair Accessible Elevator on Sunday, May 27 at 2pm. Kitty Lunn of INFINITY DANCE, a dance company of abled and disabled dancers, will host the ribbon-cutting and champagne toast. The event will feature performances by INFINITY DANCE and the YIP HARBUG FOUNDATION'S RAINBOW TROUPE. Additionally, the contractor Voula Mamais, will discuss the installation process and Gerald Rupp, for whom the elevator is name, will be on hand to take the very first ride in the ADA Compliant Elevator.

"Theater should be accessible to all: Emotionally, Spiritually, Physically, Economically. All Hail an ACCESSIBLE THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY in the true tradition of the Lower East Side. Welcome! Welcome to All!," says Crystal Field, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Theater for the New City.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY is a Pulitzer Prize-winning community cultural center known for its high artistic standards and widespread community service. TNC produces 30-40 new American plays per year, at least 10 of which are by emerging young playwrights. THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY created LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL in 1995 and has presented nearly 1,000 artists and their works including theater, music, dance, comedy, performance art, poetry, video and fine arts.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY thanks the NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, Gerald Rupp, the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation and John Baccordo.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Featured Performer in a Musical - Top 3
1. Ali Louis Bourzgui - The Lost Boys, A New Musical
18.7% of votes
2. Bryce Pinkham - Chess
10% of votes
3. Ben Levi Ross - Ragtime
6.8% of votes

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