Joe Brancato

Review: FLAWLESS Plays Around with AI, at Penguin Rep Theatre thru Oct. 19
by Bruce Apar - Oct 5, 2025

As Tess and Frank, Ellen Adair and Michael Frederic skillfully bring to the stage the requisite range of emotions engaged when lovers go a-quarreling, then make up, then rinse, repeat. We all know how that goes and they keep it going with the right rhythm of dramatic impact. Director Joe Brancato is masterly at keeping his productions light on their feet, rooted in a canny instinct for audience appeal. in an exquisitely rendered performance by Alexander Rios as AI Percy, he leaves an indelible impression through carefully articulated physicality that captures the essence of a bot without caricaturing it. His soft, soothing vocal inflection recalls iconic computer HAL in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Penguin Rep Presents World Premiere of FLAWLESS
by Emmy Rice - Sep 14, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre, under the leadership of Joe Brancato, founding Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director, presents the world premiere of Flawless, a new play by John J. Wooten, Friday, September 26 through Sunday, October 19 in Stony Point, New York.

CASTLING Comes to Penguin Rep
by Stephi Wild - Aug 7, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre will present the world premiere of Castling, a new play by Anthony T. Goss, directed by Daniel Boisrond. Learn more here!

Photos: GENE & GILDA Opens Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jul 28, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre is presenting the Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda, a new play by Cary Gitter, directed by Joe Brancato. See photos from opening night here!

Photos: GENE & GILDA Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 24, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre is presenting the Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda, a new play by Cary Gitter, directed by Joe Brancato. Get a first look at photos here!

Photos: Dick Cavett Records Voiceover For Off-Broadway's GENE & GILDA At 59E59 Theaters
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2025

Check out newly released photos from a recent recording session with three-time Emmy Award-winning television host Dick Cavett, who will lend his unmistakable voice as “The Interviewer” in the upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda at 59E59 Theaters.

Review: SON OF ZEUS at Penguin Repertory Theatre
by Pia Haas - Jul 19, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre, now in its 48th season, continues its tradition of intimate, compelling storytelling with the powerful world premiere, Son of Zeus. A one-man tour-de-force written and performed by Jimmy Georgiades.

Dick Cavett to Lend His Voice to GENE & GILDA Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 18, 2025

Three-time Emmy Award-winning television host Dick Cavett will lend his voice to the Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: ONE-MAN SHOW SON OF ZEUS at Penguin Rep Theatre
by Bruce Apar - Jul 17, 2025

It may or may not be true that within each of us exists a book waiting to be written, or a full-length monologue of the story of our life waiting to be staged. But few of us have the kind of story to tell as fraught and fascinating as Jimmy Georgiades.

Photos: Meet the Cast of GENE & GILDA at Penguin Rep
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre has released new photos of the cast of the Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda, a new play by Cary Gitter, directed by Joe Brancato. Performances will begin Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

GENE & GILDA to Have Off-Broadway Premiere at 59E59 Theaters
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda, a new play by Cary Gitter, directed by Joe Brancato. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET Delights at Penguin Rep Theatre
by Bruce Apar - Jun 13, 2025

In the confident and craftsmanlike hands of Mr. Dudzick and director Joe Brancato, the audience is treated to a breezy look at familial relations that is smartly informed by the writer’s abiding sense of balance between lighthearted banter and matters of faith, ambition, tolerance and family secrets that surface and hit home with the force of a torpedo, shattering a lifetime of misbegotten beliefs. 

Review: MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET at Penguin Rep
by Peter Danish - Jun 13, 2025

Tom Dudzick’s 'Miracle on South Division Street' arrives in Stony Point for a heartfelt revival, reaffirming its timeless charm—a blend of humor, family dynamics, and subtle spiritual warmth.

BWW Q&A: Joe Brancato on Reviving MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET and Penguin Rep's 2025 Season
by Joshua Wright - Jun 10, 2025

Joe Brancato discusses the return of Miracle on South Division Street, Penguin Rep Theatre’s 2025 season in Stony Point, and their growing presence in New York City with a new residency at 59E59 Theatres.

59E59 Theaters Reveals Summer 2025 Season Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - May 6, 2025

59E59 Theaters has announced the lineup of its Summer 2025 season, featuring a robust collection of shows celebrating iconic love stories, a comedic peek into the life of government staffers, and exhilarating psychological dramas.

Ann Talman to Bring ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW Of HER SMILE To Stissing Center For Arts & Culture
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2025

Ann Talman will bring her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Stissing Center for Arts & Culture in Pine Plains, NY. Learn more!

Ann Talman Brings ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW Of HER SMILE To Wells Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2025

Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday, April 18 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, April 20 at 2:00 PM.

Penguin Will Host 2D Student Playwrights Festival
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2025

Budding writers in high schools and colleges in or near Rockland County are being invited to compose and submit 10-minute plays for a festival sponsored by Penguin Rep Theatre. Learn more here!

THE SABBATH GIRL Releases Off-Broadway Cast Recording
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2025

The Sabbath Girl: A New Musical, which premiered Off-Broadway this past June at 59E59 Theaters, has released a cast recording. Learn more about the album here!

Ann Talman Brings ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE To Bucks County Playhouse
by Emmy Rice - Mar 23, 2025

Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. Check here for more details.