Crystal Field News

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents Madam Walker and the Divine Dream. Performances will take place on July 10th at 3:00PM & 7:00PM and July 13th at 8:00PM at The Studio at Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street). Starring Jennifer Fouche* (Off-Broadway's Sistas), Angela Grovey* (Broadway's Leap of Faith), two time Audelco Award Winner Juson Williams*, Kenya Lee*, Cheryl Gadsden, Annie Lee Moffett*, Carrie Compere* (Broadway bound Holler If You Hear Me, National tourShrek the Musical), Audelco nominated chandra thomas*, and Michael Roberts* (National and International tour West Side Story, Dreamgirls) . The book and lyrics are written by Steve Mackes and music by Joseph-Vernon Banks. Kevin Ray serves as music director and Bayo is stage manager.

Theater for the New City's award-winning Street Theater Company opens its 37th annual tour August 3 with 'Sanitation, or Off the Grid,' a rip-roaring musical which will tour City streets, parks and playgrounds throughout the five boroughs through September 15. The production, free to all New Yorkers, will have book, lyrics and direction by Crystal Field and musical score composed by Joseph Vernon Banks. (Schedule follows at bottom of this document.)

THE LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (LES) celebrates its 18th year of bringing together -- in one location, over three days -- more than 100 performing arts organizations, local and international celebrities, independent artists, poets, playwrights, musicians, puppeteers, film makers and many others, all of whom reside, work or have their roots in the culturally diverse Lower East Side. Once again this year, New York City's most diverse FREE 3-day, indoor and outdoor cultural celebration will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, from today, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue, between E. 9th and 10th Sts.) in Manhattan.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Director, has announced that the world premiere of Tom Attea's new play, BENEDICTUS, written two years ago, about a pope who resigns, will open on May 30th and run until June 16, 2013, at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue). Mark Mercante will direct the production, and Arthur Abrams will provide incidental music. www.TheaterfortheNewCity.net

THE LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (LES) celebrates its 18th year of bringing together -- in one location, over three days -- more than 100 performing arts organizations, local and international celebrities, independent artists, poets, playwrights, musicians, puppeteers, film makers and many others, all of whom reside, work or have their roots in the culturally diverse Lower East Side. Once again this year, New York City's most diverse FREE 3-day, indoor and outdoor cultural celebration will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, from Friday, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue, between E. 9th and 10th Sts.) in Manhattan.

Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Executive Director) will present the world premiere of Eduardo Machado's play Mariquitas, directed by Michael Domitrovich, beginning April 27th and continuing through May 19th only. Opening Night is set for Sunday May 5th (7pm).

Tristan Grigsby is a young, tall, virile, dark-haired, handsome, muscular actor and playwright whose first New York play, 'Passing Through,' is a deceptively spare, often humorous disquisition on loneliness. The play presents five characters, all of whom are in a particular state of loneliness, who go through brief dramatic encounters with each other and a visitor/messenger who has been sent by the gods to investigate their peculiar predicament. It has a gentle touch, a distilled style and a Beckettian effect. Theater for the New City will present the work tonight, April 10 to 28, directed by Guenevere Donohue.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Director is thrilled to present the world premiere of the all-new musical/comedy March 21st-31st. From the writers of the FringeNYC favorite Parker & Dizzy's Fabulous Journey to the End of the Rainbow, Peter Zachari and Damon Maida reunite to present this hilarious and thought provoking musical described as "The First Wives Club meets 9 to 5."

Tristan Grigsby is a young, tall, virile, dark-haired, handsome, muscular actor and playwright whose first New York play, 'Passing Through,' is a deceptively spare, often humorous disquisition on loneliness. The play presents five characters, all of whom are in a particular state of loneliness, who go through brief dramatic encounters with each other and a visitor/messenger who has been sent by the gods to investigate their peculiar predicament. It has a gentle touch, a distilled style and a Beckettian effect. Theater for the New City will present the work April 10 to 28, directed by Guenevere Donohue.

Life imitates art, as Pope Benedict XVI's historic resignation makes headlines around the world and Theater for the New City and its Executive Director Crystal Field announce that Tom Attea's BENEDICTUS, a play written two years ago, about a pope who resigns, is slated for an off-Broadway run May 30 - June 16, 2013 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue). Mark Mercante will direct the production with incidental music by Arthur Abrams. www.TheaterfortheNewCity.net

Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Executive Director) will present Lesser America's World Premiere of Nick Jones' (Jollyship the Whiz-bang with Ars Nova/The Public; The Coward with Lincoln Center) Trevor, tonight, February 28-March 17 at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue between 9th and 10th Street).

The Pulitzer Prize and OBIE Award-winning Theatre for the New City (TNC) held its 10th Annual LOVE 'N' COURAGE benefit gala last night, February 25, 2013 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan), this year honoring award-winning actor and playwright Charles Busch. Hosts for LOVE 'N' COURAGE were composer and singer Phoebe Legere and playwright/filmmaker Matt Morillo ('Maid of Honor'). The performers at this year's show included Mr. Busch, The Love Show, dancer/choreographer Kitty Lunn and Infinity Dance, juggler supreme John Grimaldi, Carol Freeman, Luba Mason, KT Sullivan, Tammy Grimes, Drew Pulver, Mark Marcante and Crystal Field. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and you can check out full photo coverage below!

From August 18 to September 8, 2013, Theater for the New City (TNC), under the direction of Crystal Field, Artistic Director, will present its fourth 'Dream Up Festival,' a festival of experimental theater and dance featuring new works from across the country and abroad. The theater's Literary Manager, Michael Scott-Price, will continue as curator. Submissions will be accepted until May 9, 2013.

Puppets and live performers enact an enigmatic tale of early World War II in 'King Executioner,' the newest creation of Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre written and directed by Vit Horejš. The play is loosely based on 'When you are a King, You will be an Executioner' ('A Jak Krolem a Jak Katem Bedzies,' 1968) by the Polish magical realist novelist Tadeusz Nowak (1930-1991). Theater for the New City will present the world premiere of the work March 21 to April 7. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

'Off the King's Road' is the first full-length theater production in New York for emerging playwright Neil Koenigsberg, who is well-known in the Hollywood community as a veteran publicist, producer and personal talent manager.