Joe Brancato

FLYING TOWARD THE SUN to Receive 29-Hour Reading at Penguin Rep Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2026

Penguin Rep Theatre will present a 29-hour reading of FLYING TOWARD THE SUN, a new musical about asylum seekers, in New York City. The cast includes Broadway veterans from Come From Away, Lempicka, and Harmony.

Review: MY LORD, WHAT A NIGHT is a timely historical drama at Penguin Rep
by Bruce Apar - May 29, 2026

Ms. Babb doesn’t hit a single false note as legendary singer and civil rights icon Marian Anderson. She is a commanding presence on stage, effusing class and an iron will. The only cavil I have with her singing voice is we don’t get to hear nearly enough of it, but what we do hear is heavenly.  

Jim Dale Will Perform in AN ACTOR'S NIGHTMARE To Benefit Penguin
by Stephi Wild - May 26, 2026

Tony Award winner Jim Dale will perform his one-man show at Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, recounting a catastrophic National Theatre production alongside Anthony Hopkins, directed by Laurence Olivier.

Review: 'MY LORD, WHAT A NIGHT' at Penguin Rep
by Peter Danish - May 20, 2026

​​​​​​​At a moment in American life when conversations about race, exclusion, immigration, and human dignity once again dominate the national discourse, Penguin Rep Theatre could scarcely have chosen a more resonant production than 'My Lord, What an Evening.' 

Premiere Stages at Kean University To Present Three New Plays for 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2026

Premiere Stages at Kean University announced its 2026 season, featuring three full productions including MALA ARIA, the 2025 Play Festival winner, and the New Jersey premiere of FLAWLESS, a cautionary tale about AI and creativity.

Shirine Babb Will Lead MY LORD, WHAT A NIGHT at Penguin Rep Theatre
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 25, 2026

Penguin Rep Theatre, under the leadership of Joe Brancato, founding Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director, announced that casting is complete for the New York premiere of Deborah Brevoort’s My Lord, What a Night, which officially kicks off the company’s 49th season.

Photos: Inside Opening Night of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET at the Sheen Center
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026

'Miracle on South Division Street,” a play by Tom Dudzick, directed by Joe Brancato, officially opened at the Sheen Center for a limited engagement through Sunday May 10. Check out photos from opening night here.

Photos: MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET at the Sheen Center
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026

Performances are now underway for 'Miracle on South Division Street,” a play by Tom Dudzick, directed by Joe Brancato, at the Sheen Center. Check out photos from the show here!

Photos: MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET Begins Rehearsal at the Sheen Center
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2026

The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture will present “Miracle on South Division Street,” a play by Tom Dudzick, directed by Joe Brancato. Check out photos from the first rehearsal here!

ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE Comes To The Barrymore Film Center
by Stephi Wild - Mar 30, 2026

Ann Talman will bring her Bistro and MAC Award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Friday, May 8, 7:30 PM.

All the Off-Broadway Shows to See in Spring 2026- A Complete Guide
by Team BWW - Mar 27, 2026

What’s happening Off-Broadway this spring? BroadwayWorld is here to guide you through the top picks for theatre this season. Spring 2026 is packed with exciting revivals, new works, and star-powered productions.

Penguin Rep Theatre To Present Reading Of TAKE ME AMERICA In New York City
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 4, 2026

Penguin Rep Theatre will present a 29-hour reading of the new musical Take Me America on February 13, 2026, at Studios 353 in New York City. The work features a book and lyrics by Bill Nabel and music and additional lyrics by Neil Berg.

MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET is Coming to The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026

The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture and Penguin Rep Theatre will present “Miracle on South Division Street,” a play by Tom Dudzick, directed by 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 22, 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.