Ellen Stewart News

La MaMa, in association with The Assembly, presents the world premiere of SEAGULLMACHINE, created by The Assembly, conceived by Nick Benacerraf, co-directed by Jess Chayes (Lucille Lortel Award winner) and Nick Benacerraf, and text by Anton Chekhov, Heiner Muller and The Assembly. SEAGULLMACHINE runs from April 14 - 29, 2018 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and the Bowery in New York City. Previews begin April 14 for an April 16 opening.

La MaMa in association with LUMBERYARD Contemporary Performing Arts presents Jane Comfort and Company Celebrating 40 Years of Making Dance with an Anniversary Retrospective

Series of One is a platform for provocative, challenging solo performances, curated by Nicky Paraiso presented at La MaMa during the 56th season. These courageous artists exemplify La MaMa's mission by continuing to create adventurous and engaging art which allows audiences to experience the dynamism of a single performer-no distractions.

From March 1 to 18, La MaMa will present Theater Three Collaborative in a new production of 'Extreme Whether,' a 'Cli-Fi' play written and directed by Karen Malpede. The piece juxtaposes psychological and magical realism in a tale of a courageous climate researcher who is defamed by special interests, including his own family. Obie-winner Rocco Sisto heads a cast of six.

Actors' Equity Association has issued a call for nominations for the Rosetta LeNoire Award. The honor, named for the noted actor and theatrical producer Rosetta LeNoire, is given in recognition of outstanding artistic contributions made by either an individual or institution to the universality of the human experience in the American theatre. 

Prelude to the Apocalypse (For What It's Worth) engages with the climate crises in a number of unexpected ways: through the lens of evolutionary time, the biblical apocalypse, and the process of growing up as a person and a society. The play also examines the human tendency to make wishes, especially in moments when we feel powerless. It all takes place in the shadow of a giant hourglass. Nevertheless, the universe breathes on.

The Unique Panel Discussion will celebrate a new book by Ronald Rand, "CREATE! How Extraordinary Artists Live to Create and Create to Live" at the historical theatrical club, The Lambs 3 West 51st Street, New York City, Monday, March 12th, 2018, 7:00-8:00pm. There is no charge for the Event. Seating is limited - reservations are necessary at: (212) 586-0306 or RSVP@The-Lambs.org     

La MaMa presents the return of Series of One, a platform for provocative, challenging solo performances centered on storytelling and personal narratives. The four courageous artists this year are Blake Sugarman, John Jarboe, Marina Celander and Megan Metrikin. They exemplify La MaMa's mission of continuing to create adventurous and engaging art that allows audiences to experience the dynamism of a single performer no distractions.

La MaMa Experimental Theater Club is thrilled to announce that its one-night-only anniversary performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa and Global Soul Music creator Tom s Doncker's 2007 collaboration, The Mercy Suite, will feature performances by acclaimed actor Khalil Kain ( Girlfriends ) and playwright Ise Lyfe. In addition to Mr. Kain and Mr. Lyfe, who are currently working together on the Off-Broadway debut of Lyfe's new play Agnus, the evening will feature performances by select cast members of The Pill by Marla Mase, which features original music by Mr. Doncker.

Philadelphia's Bearded Ladies Cabaret returns to New York City with their brand new show, You Can Never Go Down the Drain: A Musical Children's Program for Adults in 2018, presented by La MaMa. Mr. Rogers always said: no matter how bad things are 'you can never go down the drain.' Using and abusing iconic songs from his children's show, Philadelphia's Bearded Ladies Cabaret put this idea to the test. For this workshop performance, expect a goldfish funeral, gay romps into the land of make-believe, and some earnest questions about irony. You Can Never Go Down the Drain runs for just four performances between February 3-9 at La MaMa's First Floor Theater.

The acclaimed performance artist John Kelly, a Bessie and Obie Award winner, will debut his newest work when La MaMa (66 E. 4 St.) presents the world-premiere of TIME NO LINE, with previews beginning February 22 prior to an official press opening on February 26, it has been announced by Mia Yoo, La MaMa's artistic director.

MoMA World Premiere of Film About Maria Irene Fornes THE REST I MAKE UP

La MaMa continues its season-long celebration of the life and work of Sam Shepard with WEEKEND WITH SAM, two days of readings and excerpts from Sam Shepard's plays, prose and poetry, directed by Neil La Bute, Lois Weaver, Scott Wittman and Joel Zwick. WEEKEND WITH SAM will be held in The Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) February 3 4, 2018. All readings are free and open to the public, but not open for review by critics.

In honor of their newly established partnership on the upcoming production of The Pill (a new dark comedy conceived by Marla Mase and written by The Family) and the 10th Anniversary concert performance of The Mercy Suite (a 2007 collaboration between Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa and no wave guitar hero and Global Soul Music creator Tom s Doncker) La MaMa Experimental Theater Club is thrilled to announce a special package rate for both shows.

In late 2007, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa came together with his close friend, no wave guitar hero and Global Soul Music creator Tom s Doncker, to create an original musical masterpiece titled The Mercy Suite. In celebration of the work's 10th Anniversary, La MaMa Experimental Theater Club will present a one-night-only presentation of The Mercy Suite at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 East 4th Street, second floor) on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 7:00pm.

PANORAMA - the latest work by the internationally renowned Motus Theater Company from Italy - makes its world-premiere in January 2018 at La MaMa (Ellen Stewart Theatre, 66 East 4th Street) in collaboration with La MaMa's legendary Great Jones Repertory Company. Previews begin January 3rd prior to press opening on January 5th as part of The Public's Under The Radar Festival.

La MaMa will present the world premiere of Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) by Split Britches, as part of The Public Theater's Under The Radar Festival.

La MaMa (Mia Yoo, Artistic Director), the multiple Obie, Drama Desk and Bessie Award-winning Off-Broadway theater, announces the world premiere of The Pill, conceived by Marla Mase and written by The Family. A family memoir featuring original music by composer and producer Tom s Doncker of True Groove, performances of The Pill will begin Thursday, January 25. This strictly limited engagement will play through Sunday, February 4.

Two actors with larger-than-life personas - comedian Amy Schumer, now on Broadway in Steve Martin's new hit play Meteor Shower at the Booth Theatre, and avant-garde theater legend Agosto Machado - are subjects of an all-new THEATER TALK.

PANORAMA - the latest work by the internationally renowned Motus Theater Company from Italy - makes its world-premiere in January 2018 at La MaMa (Ellen Stewart Theatre, 66 East 4th Street) in collaboration with La MaMa's legendary Great Jones Repertory Company. Previews begin January 3rd prior to press opening on January 5th as part of The Public's Under The Radar Festival.