GENE FRANKEL THEATRE FESTIVAL to Present Summer Edition in NYC
Thomas R. Gordon and Francesca Ravera lead the selection committee that curated this year's lineup of new works.
The Gene Frankel Theatre Festival (GFTF) returns for its Summer 2026 Edition, presenting more than 25 New York and World Premieres from July 30 through August 16 at the historic Gene Frankel Theatre in Manhattan.
This year's Festival offers an eclectic lineup of stories and unforgettable characters. Audiences will meet gambler Dusty Hart, whose luck may finally be running out; Kat, a mystical, tattooed woman who claims to be a witch; two first-time parents sent spiraling into a purgatory after the birth of their abnormal newborn; five women in a cosmetology classroom inside a women's prison, where a routine hair-styling lesson reveals fragile human connections; and two food critics who find themselves at a mysterious new restaurant called The Ten Plague.
Following the success of its inaugural Summer Festival in 2025 and its acclaimed Winter Festival later that year, the Gene Frankel Theatre Festival has quickly established itself as one of New York's most selective showcases for contemporary theatre. This year's Festival marks its most competitive edition to date, with just 29 productions selected from nearly 200 submissions by playwrights, producers, and theatre companies from across the country.
Dedicated to celebrating originality, artistic excellence, and exceptional storytelling, the Festival presents works spanning a wide range of theatrical styles while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to quality. The result is a carefully curated program that reflects the vitality and diversity of contemporary theatre.
Under the artistic direction of Thomas R. Gordon-owner and Artistic Director of the iconic Gene Frankel Theatre-the Festival continues to build its reputation for artistic excellence, thoughtful curation, and an exceptionally rigorous selection process. Gordon and internationally award-winning actress Francesca Ravera, whose collaborative leadership has guided the Festival's Selection Committee since its inaugural edition, reviewed nearly 200 submissions to curate this year's program of over 25 productions.
The Festival's Awards Jury once again consists of Thomas R. Gordon, Francesca Ravera, and acclaimed actor, playwright, director, and educator Thomas G. Waites. Drawing on decades of experience across theatre, film, writing, directing, and arts education, the jury brings exceptional professional expertise and artistic insight to recognizing excellence across every discipline of theatrical production.
The Summer 2026 Festival concludes on Sunday, August 16, with the Gene Frankel Theatre Festival Awards Gala, where honors will be presented in both the Short Play and One-Act Play competitions. Awards will be presented in each category for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Playwright, Best Script, and Best Play.
The Gene Frankel Theatre is located at 24 Bond Street (Between Lafayette & Bowery), New York, NY 10012. Subways: 6 to Bleecker Street, B/D/F/M to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets are now on sale at www.genefrankeltheatrefestival.com.
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Broadway Magic Hour Broadway Magic Hour: Magic Show (7/25-1/02) |
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Broadway Takes On The 80s The Cutting Room (9/14-9/14) |
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Broadway Veteran Christopher Zelno Celebrates 40 Years in New York with The Origin of Love The Green Room 42 (9/13-9/16) |
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Dominant Animals Teatro LATEA (10/02-10/04) |
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Eileen Barnett: Back Again...For The Very First Time! The Laurie Beechman Theatre (10/06-10/06) |
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Falling Into Now Greenroom42 (10/24-10/24) |
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From America, With Love 28th Street Theatre (10/11-10/11) |
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PANGEA: UNLEASHED KnJ Theater (10/10-10/11) |
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Peribáñez y el Comendador de Ocaña Teatro Círculo (9/18-10/04) |
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Project: Library The Chain (9/11-9/19) |
