Sharon Wheatley and Aaron Haskell to Lead MISTER SNICKERS OF NEW YORK CITY at Urban Stages
The new play by Michael Raimondi runs at Urban Stages following its Fresh Fruit Festival premiere.
Mister Snickers of New York City, the new play by Michael Raimondi, will extend its run to Urban Stages (May 6-17, 2026) following its premiere as a Mainstage selection of the Fresh Fruit Festival at The Wild Project.
Leading the production are:
Sharon Wheatley, the celebrated Broadway performer who originated Diane in Come From Away. With a career spanning Les Miserables, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Avenue Q, Wheatley anchors the piece with a performance of rare intimacy and resonance.
Alongside her, Aaron Haskell-known for his work on the National Tours of Life of Pi and War Horse-serves as Puppet Designer, Director, and Fabricator. His work transforms the production into a hybrid theatrical experience, where puppetry becomes a central storytelling language and the character of Mister Snickers emerges as both emotional anchor and imaginative force.
Set within a theatrical world evocative of a New York City pop-up book, the play follows a gay man's alcohol-fueled attempt to construct a life of meaning. Through his evolving relationships-with his Best Friend and his devoted dog, Mister Snickers-the work traces a moving transformation from self-destruction toward generosity, presence, and spiritual renewal.
The ensemble features Rori Nogee (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Love Quirks), Nicholas James Reilly (Spring Awakening, Gossip Girl), Kenon Veno (Paddington Gets in a Jam National Tour), Julie Tran (Brooklyn comedy scene; But What'd You Say?), Ryan Sheehan (The Tank; Sad Boy Songs), Sawyer Whitted (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Pirates of Penzance), Mecca Akbar (Pinocchio, Sesame Street: The Musical)
Directed by Abigail Zealey Bess (Ensemble Studio Theatre) and co-directed by Josh Tyson, the production features scenic and property design by Aurelie Hug and Chloe Cobb, crafting a visually expressive world that seamlessly integrates with Haskell's transformative puppetry work.
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