Crystal Field News

In past generations, women had status in Asian societies as shamans, but such mysticism is now frowned on in most modern Asian cultures. Still, the idea of powerful ancient matriarchies is magnetic for many Asian American women who grew up in traditional families. Victoria Linchong is like many Americans of immigrant parents who seek their roots but feel disconnected from their heritage. She was inspired by memories of her Taiwanese grandmother to create 'Big Flower Eater,' a whimsical collage of folktales, rituals, dance and historical texts. Performed by an ensemble of three Asian-American actresses, the play conjures the untold history of women in Asia through shamanism in three different cultures: Hmong, Taiwanese and Korean. It will be presented by Theater for the New City tonight, February 7 to 24.

Theater for the New City's Mortgage Burning took place on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at TNC, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (East Village). Participants included F. Murray Abraham, David Amram, Charles Busch, Vinie Burrows, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kathleen Hughes, Jean-Claude van Itallie, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and surprise guests. Check out photos from the event below!

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has joined the growing list of celebrities and well-wishers attending Theater for the New City's Mortgage Burning tonight, January 26, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at TNC, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (East Village). Other participants will include F. Murray Abraham, David Amram, Charles Busch, Vinie Burrows, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kathleen Hughes, Jean-Claude Van Itallie, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and surprise guests.

It's the 50th anniversary of the founding of Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, will present the troupe in its 38th annual Dance Concert and Pow Wow from tonight, January 25 to February 3, 2013.

The Pulitzer Prize and OBIE Award-winning Theatre for the New City (TNC) will hold its 10th Annual LOVE ‘N' COURAGE benefit gala on Monday, February 25, 2013 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan), this year honoring award-winning actor and playwright Charles Busch, it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and artistic director of Theater for the New City. The LOVE ‘N' COURAGE celebration will begin with cocktails at 6:30pm, with dinner following at 7:00pm, and performances at 8:00pm. Proceeds benefit the Emerging Playwrights' Program at Theater for the New City, located at 155 First Avenue in the East Village, where it remains one of the few remaining outposts for experimental and political theater in 21st century New York.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has joined the growing list of celebrities and well-wishers attending Theater for the New City's Mortgage Burning on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at TNC, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (East Village). Other participants will include F. Murray Abraham, David Amram, Charles Busch, Vinie Burrows, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kathleen Hughes, Jean-Claude Van Itallie, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and surprise guests.

In past generations, women had status in Asian societies as shamans, but such mysticism is now frowned on in most modern Asian cultures. Still, the idea of powerful ancient matriarchies is magnetic for many Asian American women who grew up in traditional families. Victoria Linchong is like many Americans of immigrant parents who seek their roots but feel disconnected from their heritage. She was inspired by memories of her Taiwanese grandmother to create 'Big Flower Eater,' a whimsical collage of folktales, rituals, dance and historical texts. Performed by an ensemble of three Asian-American actresses, the play conjures the untold history of women in Asia through shamanism in three different cultures: Hmong, Taiwanese and Korean. It will be presented by Theater for the New City February 7 to 24.

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, February 28-March 17 at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue between 9th and 10th Street). The production will be directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel (Hand to God with EST; My Base and Scurvy Heart with Studio 42) and will feature Steven Boyer* (Hand to God; Jollyship the Whiz-Bang), Geneva Carr* (Hand to God; Boise), Nathaniel Kent (The Three Seagulls at HERE; Doctor Faustus at The Brick), Andy Nogasky*, Shawn Randall* (Big Tex at EST; Blue Man Group), Amy Staats* (One Thing I Like To Say Is with Clubbed Thumb) and Colleen Werthmann* (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; The Mistakes Madeline Made). The creative team will include Set Design by Andrew Boyce, Props Design by Sarah Dowling, Costume Design by Elizabeth Groth, Lighting Design by Mike Inwood, and Fight Direction by Robert Westley. *Actor appears courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association.

'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.

On Saturday, January 26 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Theater for the New City will ceremonially burn its mortgage to celebrate becoming debt-free. The gathering, to be attended by elected officials, local activists, artists and celebrities, will include performances and the opening of an art exhibit.

'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.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Director presents the world premiere of The East River Hotel. Written and directed by Jeff Randall Wiseman, the production opens at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, NYC) tonight, December 28, 2012 and runs through Sunday, January 13, 2013. The play performs Thursday through Saturday at 8PM and Sunday at 3PM.

It's the 50th anniversary of the founding of Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, will present the troupe in its 38th annual Dance Concert and Pow Wow from January 25 to February 3, 2013.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Director presents the world premiere of The East River Hotel. Written and directed by Jeff Randall Wiseman, the production opens at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, NYC) on Friday, December 28, 2012 and runs through Sunday, January 13, 2013. The play performs Thursday through Saturday at 8PM and Sunday at 3PM.

If 'Adam's Rib' and 'Moneyball' mated and begat a play, it might be 'Skybox,' a comedy of class warfare and the battle of the sexes that is set in the luxury box of a major league baseball park. The play, written by Walt Stepp and directed by Lissa Moira, is the successor to their collaboration on 'Siren's Heart: Norma Jean and Marilyn in Purgatory,' a play by Stepp which started at Theater for the New City and is now running Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre. 'Skybox' has been extended at Theater for the New City through December 9, 2012. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!