Jonathan Slaff News

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.

'Three on a Match' by Rhett Martinez is an allegorical drama examining the legacy of state terrorism in Latin America. It will be the 50th Anniversary production of IATI Theater Todo Vanguardia, a performing arts organization located at 64 East 4th Street, which is devoted to contemporary, cutting-edge Latino works. The drama examines, absurdly and gravely, the terrifying plague of 'disappearances' during Argentina's 'Dirty War' of 1974-83 and similar experiences of countries across South America in ensuing decades. Written and performed in English, it will be directed by Eric Parness.

To reach an expanded audience, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC) will re-mount its 2017 revival of 'A Soldier's Play' by Charles Fuller, directed by Charles Weldon, from February 14 to March 4, 2018 at Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street. The piece is historically NEC's most famous and successful play. It was produced last fall at Theatre 80 St. Marks as the culminating event of NEC's landmark 50th season, playing to full houses and glowing notices. The cast of that revival will return intact for the Gene Frankel Theatre run.

'One Drop,' a family drama with music by Andrea J. Fulton, brings to life the politics of a young mixed-race man's 'passing' for white in post-Civil War Louisiana, illustrating the risks taken by those not afraid to love despite bigotry. The piece, inspired by the playwright's actual family history, tells the story of a family torn apart by racism but ultimately reunited. It debuted in Theater for the New City's Dream Up Festival in 2010. TNC will present a revival of the play, directed by Sabura Rashid, from February 1 to 18 in honor of Black History Month.

Theater for the New City (TNC) presented a highly successful developmental production of 'Josh: The Black Babe Ruth' by Michael A. Jones last Spring in its small Cabaret Theater. In honor of Black History Month, TNC will re-mount the drama February 8 to 25, 2018 in its larger Cino Theater. Bette Howard directs. The play dramatizes the life, loves and ultimately the tragic decline of Josh Gibson, who was perhaps the greatest slugger of the Negro leagues and who, some say, died of a broken heart in 1947.

'The Wizard of Oz,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, will not close December 16. It has been extended through January 13, 2018 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended three times.

'The Wizard of Oz,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, will not close December 16. It has been extended through January 13, 2018 due to continuing and steady audience interest.

Even people familiar with August Strindberg may be surprised to learn that he wrote plays for children. The best example is 'The Black Glove,' the fifth (and least performed) of his Chamber Plays.

Actor/cabaret singer Stephanie Trudeau will perform a return engagement of her docu-cabaret, 'Chavela: Think Of Me,' at Pangea Supper Club, 178 Second Ave. (East Village), November 2, 9 and 16, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

Nonstop theater, a costume competition and ballroom dancing will bewitch the East Village in Theater for the New City's 41st annual Village Halloween Costume Ball on Monday, October 31 at TNC, 155 First Avenue.

Even people familiar with August Strindberg may be surprised to learn that he wrote plays for children. The best example is 'The Black Glove,' the fifth (and least performed) of his Chamber Plays.

Actor/cabaret singer Stephanie Trudeau will perform a return engagement of her docu-cabaret, 'Chavela: Think Of Me,' at Pangea Supper Club, 178 Second Ave. (East Village), November 2, 9 and 16, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

Nonstop theater, a costume competition and ballroom dancing will bewitch the East Village in Theater for the New City's 41st annual Village Halloween Costume Ball on Monday, October 31 at TNC, 155 First Avenue.

Iceland in the 19th Century was not exactly an idyll; it was an island nation of farming and fishing communities, pretty much cut off from the much of the rest of the world. Crime was rare and capital crimes rarer still. So the country's criminal cases have become the stuff of legend, including the child rape case in Rifsaedasel of 1837, which is as infamous to Icelanders as The Manson Family is to Americans. Contemporary Icelandic playwright Hrafnhildur Hagalin revisits this infamous case with 'Guilty' (2014), a verse play that gracefully and provocatively examines issues of obsession and mercy which cling to it to this day.

'The Wizard of Oz,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, will not close August 20. It has been extended through December 16, 2017 due to continuing and steady audience interest.

Iceland in the 19th Century was not exactly an idyll; it was an island nation of farming and fishing communities, pretty much cut off from the much of the rest of the world. Crime was rare and capital crimes rarer still. So the country's criminal cases have become the stuff of legend, including the child rape case in Rifsaedasel of 1837, which is as infamous to Icelanders as The Manson Family is to Americans. Contemporary Icelandic playwright Hrafnhildur Hagalin revisits this infamous case with 'Guilty' (2014), a verse play that gracefully and provocatively examines issues of obsession and mercy which cling to it to this day.

'The Cooping Theory: Who Killed Edgar Allan Poe?,' Poseiden Theatre's immersive mystery production at St. Mazie Bar and Supper Club in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is taking a hiatus beginning June 28, 2017 and returning with a Halloween Edition from October 11 to 31, 2017.  The gap will be used for Artistic Director Aaron Salazar and his team to re-imagine the offering for the Halloween season.

'The Wizard of Oz,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater and Yip Harburg Foundation, will now close August 20, 2017 after 26 performances.  A previously scheduled September 9 performance has been canceled. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has been extended twice.

Actor/cabaret singer Stephanie Trudeau will perform a return engagement of her docu-cabaret, 'Chavela: Think Of Me,' at Pangea Supper Club, 178 Second Ave. (East Village), June 26 at 7:30 PM. She had debuted the piece there on May 15 and has been invited back in response to the appreciation of her audience and an enthusatic review. 

'Faust 3: The Turd Coming, or The Fart of the Deal' by Paul David Young, a political satire of the Trump fiasco performed by an ensemble of four clowns, will have its world premiere June 11 to 26 in The Meeting Room of Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, presented by Skylight Productions.  Augustus Heagerty directs.