John Battista News

Theater for the New City Executive Director Crystal Field is presenting 'A Life In The Rye,' a new play that looks at J.D. Salinger's life and the impact that 'The Catcher In The Rye' had on him, his fans, fanatics obsessed with the book and the world.

Ruth Stage and the 13th Street Reparatory Company's Lone Star feels like seeing two shows in one evening. This revival of James McLure's play consists of a mock country concert by the all-female band The Chalks in the first act with the action of the play occurring in the second act. The entire thing is directed by Joe John Battista, but it feels like two separate pieces rather than one coherent and connected show. While The Chalks are an entertaining and talented group, the play itself leaves much to be desired.

Back by popular demand, the acclaimed revival of James McLure's comedy LONE STAR opens Friday, June 7th at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre (50 W 13th St- between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) for eight performances only including June 8th, June 13th, June 14th and June 15th at 7:30 pm with matinees on June 9th and June 16th at 3:00 pm. The play, which received audience and critical acclaim from its 2017 production highlights rising star Matt de Rogatis as the lead and features the all female band The Chalks with Broadway actor Leenya Rideout.

Ruth Stage will present Lone Star by James McLure for eight performances from June 8 to June 16 at the 13th Street Repertory Theater in New York City. Broadwayworld.com interviewed New Jersey native, Matt de Rogatis who stars as Roy in the production.

Back by popular demand, the acclaimed revival of James McLure's comedy LONE STAR begins performances Thursday, June 6th at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre (50 W 13th St- between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) for eight performances only

Joe John Battista, the artistic director of the 13th Street Repertory Theatre, has been dreaming of producing and staging Women Behind Bars, by Tom Eyen, for over 45 years. This week that dream is realized in The 13th Street Repertory Theatre's production of Women Behind Bars, directed by Battista, and produced by Roslyn McKay. For Joe, it's not only a dream come true, but one that comes with the added bonus of casting Amy Stiller, daughter of the famed comedy duo Stiller & Meara, in the role of Gloria.

Before We're Gone, a new play about love and second chances by the award-winning playwright Jerry Small, continues performances at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre for a limited run (21 Performances) through August 5th.

BAHR Productions, the Hollywood-based Film, Television, and Digital production company behind the soon to open Off-Off Broadway play debut of BEFORE WE'RE GONE, by Jerry Small, has announced they intend to take their new play to Off- Broadway, with an eye on Broadway following the one-month run at the historic 13th Street Repertory Theatre, beginning July 5th, 2018. The theater, one of the longest operating theatrical venues in New York City, has seen a recent resurrection of sorts with a stronger line-up of productions in the last year, including several AEA-approved productions, is now the beneficiary of a newly reconstructed stage thanks to a major donation by Bahr Productions.

It's been described by The New York Times as the 'Little Theatre That Could,' and with its charm and historic aura, as well as its very visible street level location, the 13th Street Repertory Theatre was chosen by BAHR Productions, a Hollywood-based Film production company, as the launching pad for a new project that looks to be headed Off-Broadway, and then a very much anticipated Broadway run. The play is BEFORE WE'RE GONE, by Jerry Small, and the mission is to debut the drama in New York City with an Off-Broadway run that has spared no expenses and gathered an exceptionally talented cast to this newly renovated stage (courtesy of Bahr Productions) beginning July 5th and closing on August 5th, 2018.