THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

A Rome Neal Banana Puddin’ Jazz Production

Jazzy Thespians Night: A Tribute to Woodie King, Jr.

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20 General Admission

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

The theater community will come together on Monday, April 27, 2026, to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Woodie King Jr., a pioneering force in Black theater and the founding director of the New Federal Theatre.

An invitation-only memorial celebration will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the historic Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway, recognizing King’s enduring impact as a “Renaissance Man of Black Theater.”

Later that evening at 7:00 PM, the tribute will continue with a public celebration hosted by Rome Neal as part of his acclaimed Banana Puddin’ Jazz series. Titled “Jazzy Thespians Night,” the event will take place at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, NYC).

The evening will feature live jazz performances by an ensemble of acclaimed musicians alongside special guest performers, blending music, storytelling, and remembrance. Admission is $20, and guests will enjoy complimentary banana pudding as part of the experience.

Together, these events celebrate Woodie King Jr.’s profound contributions to American theater and his lasting legacy in championing Black voices on stage.

 Main Event ( Invitation Only )

• What: Celebration of the life and legacy of Woodie King Jr.
• When: Monday, April 27, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
• Where: Ethel Barrymore Theatre
• Details: Private event honoring King as a “Renaissance Man of Black Theater” and founder of the New Federal Theatre

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🎷 Public Tribute Event (Evening)

• What: Jazzy Thespians Night – tribute to Woodie King Jr.
• Host: Rome Neal
• Series: Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz
• When: Monday, April 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM
• Where: Theater for the New City (155 First Ave, NYC, 10003 between 9th and 10th Streets)
• Admission: $20
• Extras: Live jazz + complimentary banana puddin’

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🎶 Performers

• Andre Chez Lewis (piano)
• Lonnie Plaxico (bass)
• Patience Higgins (sax)
• Nick Scheuble (drums)
• Anthony Battle (percussion)
• Plus special guest “Jazzy Thespians”

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📌 Key Takeaways

• Two events on the same day: a private Broadway memorial and a public jazz tribute.
• Both celebrate Woodie King Jr.’s major influence on Black theater.
• The evening event is open to the public, affordable, and performance-focused.

This tribute is made possible with the generous support of sponsors including Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jazz Foundation of America, Lamon Fenner, Stephen Davis, Nick and Leonieke Scheuble, John D. Smith, Tracy Appleton, Dr. Audrey and Gerry Baker, Sheryl Renee Productions, Dr. Mona V. Scott, Malaika M. Scott, MD, Black Repertory Group, Sean V. Scott, Commbs Brooklyn Printing, Black Spectrum Theatre, Dr. Brenda Greene, and Black Theatre Project.

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month and Rome’s 23rd anniversary of producing banana puddin Jazz, your sponsorship or donation will be gratefully appreciated. Become a sponsor today: romeneal.com

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash

May 28, 2026 – June 7, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 75 minutes, No intermission
CABARET THEATER

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Former actress Kitty Ralph has lived most of her 73-year-old life in the shadows of her long-gone Hollywood starlet mother and bigshot producer father. One night, Arnold, an NYU graduate film student (and pupil of Kitty’s famous director ex-husband), knocks on her door unannounced, forcing her to confront her true desires in what may be the last few months of her life.

CAST
Kitty – Lisa Tracy*
Arnold – River Knight*

*Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

PRODUCTION
Writer – India Marin Stachyra
Director – India Marin Stachyra
Stage Manager – Gabrielle Rodríguez Rivera

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

THREE WOMEN

April 16, 2026 – May 3, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 55 minutes, No intermission
JOHNSON THEATER

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

NASHVILLE COMES TO THE EAST VILLAGE: The Frog & Peach Theatre and Theater for the New City proudly announce the world premiere of THREE WOMEN, an exciting new country western musical by Ted Zurkowski. Under the direction of Lynnea Benson, this collaboration promises to deliver a unique blend of Nashville’s rich musical heritage with the vibrant energy of New York’s East Village.

THREE WOMEN explores love, betrayal, and the complexities of family against the backdrop of the country western music scene. The story follows Billy, a country star portrayed by composer and lyricist Ted Zurkowski, returning to Nashville after a grueling nationwide tour—only to find his carefully constructed life beginning to unravel. As long-buried secrets surface, the line between humor and heartbreak blurs, revealing the consequences of his impulsive choices. Caught between his wife Bonnie, the reserved Lady, and the free-spirited Ruby, Billy spirals through emotional turmoil that feels both intimate and explosive. With its rich storytelling and original score, the production echoes the spirit of classic country legends like Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, and Buck Owens.

Ted Zurkowski, the creative force behind THREE WOMEN, is a seasoned artist with a rich background in music and theater. As the frontman for the rock band Honey West and a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio, Zurkowski brings a wealth of experience to this project. His previous works, including the critically acclaimed comedy farce COLLEGE FUN, have established him as a significant voice in contemporary theater.

The production features a dynamic cast led by Ted Zurkowski as Billy, alongside Gina Simone Pemberton as Bonnie, Kaylyn Buehler as Lady, and Erica Cafarelli as Ruby. They are joined by Elizabeth Ruf and Steve Taylor as Billy’s parents, and DazMann Still as his brother Jake, bringing depth, humor, and emotional complexity to this richly layered story. The onstage band—Denny McDermott on drums and Paul Page on bass—underscores the action, infusing the production with the raw energy and authenticity of a live country western performance.

CAST
Ted Zurkowski* (Billy)
DazMann Still (Jake)
Steve Taylor (Dad)
Gina-Simone Pemberton (Bonnie)
Erica Cafarelli* (Ruby)
Elizabeth Ruf* (Mom)
Kaylyn Buehler (Lady)

*Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Denny McDermott (Drums/percussion)
Paul Page (Bass guitar)

PRODUCTION
Ted Zurkowski (Composer & Lyricist)
Lynnea Benson (Director)
Dennis Parichy (Lighting Design)

Ted Zurkowski (Billy, THREE WOMEN Composer & Lyricist) is the frontman for the rock band Honey West, which he formed with the late Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner). In 2024 his original comedy farce COLLEGE FUN enjoyed a critically acclaimed production at TNC. He is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio and has taught at Hunter College, NYU, and The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.

Lynnea Benson (Director) Ms Benson is a co-founder and The Artistic Director at Frog & Peach Theatre. Recent directing credits include Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew, College Fun (at TNC), King Lear (starring Greg Mullavey), and Verbatim (starring Estelle Parsons). She serves as the writer director for the Frog & Peach bilingual family show, Tinkerbell Theatre, and writes & directs the viral web series Tink Online.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

A Package Full of Memories

Written and Directed by Barbara Kahn

April 30, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Group (10+) rates available. TDF accepted
Run time: 80 minutes
COMMUNITY SPACE

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

In present day, a package of photos and documents from two lives provide the stories of the play. A guide, along with actors, brings the memories to life. Maxene and Sarah in 1930’s Alabama face the dangers of racial prejudice in the Jim Crow South. Anya and Elina in a shtetl (village) in Eastern Europe are targets of the antisemitism and fascism of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Maxene and Anya meet in 1951, finding the hope and joy lost in their childhood.

CAST
Lenin Alevante
Kristen Gabrielle
Nikki Monzon
Sania Hyat
Sarah Teed

PRODUCTION
Original music by Allison Tartalia
Set and Prop Design by Lytza R. Colón
Lighting Design by Emma Wills-Umdenstock
Costume Design by Billy Little
Sound Design by Alison Nolan and Joy Linscheid
Graphic Design by Virginia Asman, illuminage studio
Stage Managed and board operation by Geoffrey Kinsey
Photos by Peggy Ryan

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

THE DECAY OF A ROSE

April 9, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 70 minutes
CINO THEATER

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Written and directed by the award-winning playwright Victor Vauban Júnior, this theatrical production is premiering at the Theater for the New City on April 9th. The production explores crucial moments in lives of Graham and Leah, a biracial couple in love who contend with discrimination and the repercussions often encountered by interracial couples in similar circumstances. Additionally, the play addresses significant issues including mental health, police violence against Black men, racism, societal conditioning, and the complexities inherent in interracial relationships.

Dr. Martin Luther King once stated, “When a society denies me the right to marry someone, it denies a part of my freedom.” Love is a potent emotion capable of healing and transforming. Graham and Leah, a biracial couple in love, are facing a challenging separation. To what extent can love overcome the divide between life and death? Come and see how love can bridge the gap between life and death in this captivating new play by Victor Vauban Júnior. Don’t miss your chance to experience this limited engagement—it’s an event you won’t want to miss.

CAST
Dimitri C. Dewes Jr.
Donata O’Neill

PRODUCTION
Playwright/Director: Victor Vauban Júnior
Costume Designer: Everett Clark
Set Design: Victor Vauban Júnior
Set Design execution: Lytza Colón and Team
Set Supervision: Victor Vauban Júnior
Light Design: Alexander Bartenieff, Victor Vauban Júnior
Light and Sound: Victor Vauban Júnior
Voiceovers: Mary Tierney, Juanita Tyndall, Frank Craven, Larry Fleischman, Daniel Lugo, Lola Lukas

Victor Vauban Júnior (Playwright-Director)
August Wilson, Tennessee Williams, and Lorraine Hansberry are just some of the sources of inspiration for this playwright, who is always seeking ways to bring new energy and innovation to his work. He enjoys sharing his passion for the arts with his students, and others in the community.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

FESTIVAL OF INDIA

Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 8:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 3:00 pm & 4:00pm

Tickets – $25
COMMUNITY SPACE

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Festival of India Dance Workshop
Saturday, April 4, 8:00pm

Amulya Pilla, a Kuchipudi dancer with more than two decades of experience is a dedicated disciple of Smt. Padma Sonti and Smt. Bala Tripura Sundari.
Amulya has played lead roles in several dance-drama productions, has taught and choreographed traditional and fusion pieces, and is an ardent believer that passing sacred art forms to future generations requires deep respect to its origins and intentional evolutions to its details.
Amulya is also a singer-songwriter, educator, and event planner.

Holi – Indian Spring Festival
Saturday, April 5, 9:00pm

Join us in welcoming the Spring and celebrate Holi – the Indian Festival of colors.

Time to clap your hands and tap your feet to some joyous traditional songs in six different Indian Languages with our amazing artists.

Abhinav Acharya has studied Tabla for the last nine years under the tutelage of Shri Prabhakar Betrebet. He has performed with the Archana Joglekar Institute and artists like Naveen Kumar and Pt. Supratik Sengupta.

Srikar has studied Harmonium with Guru Hemant Kulkarni for over ten years and has performed solo pieces at numerous competitions. He has also accompanied Singers,Tabla Players and Kathak Dancers. He served as Music Chair of the University of Michigan’s Indian Classical Music and Dance Organization.

Saraswati and Natraj Arts Festival
Sunday, April 5, 3:00pm

Come join us for an afternoon of amazing performances by our rising stars.

Enjoy a wide array of Indian Classical Arts and Indian Folk Arts from various parts of India.

The event begins with a Saraswati Vandana in Raag Bhairavi by singer Oviya Gandhi and tabla player Argha Dev Paul followed by Classical Dance performances by students of Guru Liza Joseph’s Natyamudra Dance School and Folk Dance performances by students of Guru Sonal Jhaveri’s Khushi Dance School.

Oviya Gandhi is a 9th grader with a passion for Hindustani vocal classical music who has completed the Madhyama Pratham level through the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal. She trains under Guru Smt. Anjali Nandedkar of Swaranjali Music Institution. Oviya regularly participates in community events. She is also plays the flute for her school’s marching band. She has performed with her band at a University of Pennsylvania football game.

Argha Dev Paul’s passion for tabla started at the age of 3years and he began his training at the age of 7 under Guru Uchhal Banerjee. He has performed at at Columbia University as part of Dhwani Academy and performed solo at Mandra Saptak’s August Baithak. He is also a member of Dinesh Band at Sri Chinmoy Center. Argha has accompanied musical artists Sarod player, Puspen Dey.

Kiara Mahindru is an 8th grader who has been training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Liza Joseph at Natyamudra School of Dance since the age of 7 years. Apart from being a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Kiara is also a member of her school’s Drama Club through crocheting and sewing, crafting with the same patience and precision that defines everything she does.

Kavya Mahindru has been training with Guu Liza Joseph’s Natyamudra School of Dance since the age of 3 years and has performed at various cultural events . A Junior Kavya also competes in both Cross Country and Track and serves as Co-founder/Co-president of the school’s Psychology Club. A member of the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society, she enjoys writing poetry, listening to music.

Anvi Iyer is a 3rd grader at Ardsley Elementary School  who has been studying Bharatanatyam with Guru Liza Joseph at Natyamudra School of dance.

Dahlia, a 3rd grader has been training with Guru Liza Joseph’s Natyamudra School of Dance. She expresses her creativity through singing, sketching and enjoys skating and swimming.

Festival of India Sitar Workshop
Sunday, April 5, 4:00pm

Come and join us for a spectacular Sitar performance by a rising young artist Om Guha and Tabla Player Abhinav Acharya.
Om has studied Sitar for the last ten years under the tutelage of Pandit Supratik Sengupta Ji and Pandit Indrajit Banerjee Ji and has incorporated his Sitar into Music Therapy Research at local Medical Hospitals. He has performed Sitar at various venues in New York and New Jersey.

Abhinav Acharya has studied Tabla for the last nine years under the tutelage of Shri Prabhakar Betrebet. He has performed with the Archana Joglekar Institute and artists like Naveen Kumar and Pt. Supratik Sengupta.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

Bike Shop: The Musical

With the right tools, you can fix anything.

April 30, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 90 minutes
CINO THEATER

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Set against the pulse of downtown Manhattan’s bike messenger era, the musical follows Bobby, a female bike messenger and fearless rider who suffers a life changing trauma. Twenty years later she is still unable to get back on her bike. She fixes and restores other peoples bikes as penance, all while turning away from her own bike still mounted on the wall.

CAST
*Elizabeth Barkan
*Madeleine Doherty
*David Edwards
*Jeff McCarthy
*Joe Symon

PRODUCTION
Director – Gretchen Cryer
Musical Director – Timothy Splain

Book by Elizabeth Barkan and Caroline Murphy
Music composed by YounYoung Park
Lyrics by Caroline Murphy
Additional Music by Gerry Dieffenbach & Elizabeth Barkan

Theater for the New City

Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

The Live Poets Society

A poetry reading series

Curated by Lissa Moira

Thursday, April 2, 2026
7 PM – 10 PM
Tickets: $5

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Please join us for some Poetry and artistic conviviality.

 

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

Flo

April 9, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 100 minutes, No intermission
COMMUNITY SPACE

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Flo Weinberg is tired of her life on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She makes a bargain with her old friend, Max, which sends her on adventures through time and space. But when the time comes to pay up, Flo has other ideas.

CAST
JC Augustin – President / Ensemble
Darrel Blackburn* – Old Cleric / Ensemble
John Cencio Burgos* – Max
Anthony Cedeño – Sam / Ensemble
Juli Harkins – Vera / Ensemble
Temima Hyman – Daniela / Ensemble
Mikayla Petrilla* – Young Flo
Jenny Taher* – Old Flo / Ensemble

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production.

PRODUCTION
Composer: Peter Dizozza
Choreographer: Tatyana Kot
Set Design: Mark Marcante & Lytza Colon
Lighting Design: Bruce A! Kraemer
Projections Design: Roy Chang
Costume Design: Billy Little
Props Designer: Max Kilsheimer
Sound Design: Alison Nolan & Joy Linscheid
Stage Manager: Dana Vincent – Robbins
Casting Director: Robin Carus CSA
PR: Jonathan Slaff

Theater for the New City

Executive Director, Crystal Field

Presents

TNC’s New City, New Blood Reading Series:

Barbara Major

A new play written and directed by Sarah Germain Lilly

Monday, March 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
CINO THEATER

FREE

$5 Suggested Donation

For Reservations, email to tncdreamup@gmail.com

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th & 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions

Barbara Major is inspired by George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara and the true story of a small town businessman from Maine who developed and manufactures the Bushmaster assault rifle.  Shaw’s play addresses capitalism, its dependence on war, and the moral underpinnings of society through a family conflict between an international arms industrialist and his daughter who is a Salvation Army Major. Barbara Major addresses the crisis of gun violence in America through the conflict between an American gun manufacturer and his daughter, a community violence interrupter. Michael Shaft, a wealthy US gunmaker, wishes to secure his legacy and transfer his business concern to an heir who will follow the path he has forged. His daughter Barbara wants nothing more than peace in American cities, guns off the streets and a country where children are safe in their schools and neighborhoods.

CAST
Susan Blacksmith – Callie Cox
Michael Shaft – Paul Jacob
Barbara Major – Nia Weeks
Rad Robinson – Mink Chung
Lady Major – Nia Woods
Daniel/Asa/ Be tha Heat – Eddie Moore
Lily/ Judy Barnes – Callie Cox
Randall Jenkins – Dan Kelley
Sergeant Dupree – Sean Robertson

Bio
Sarah Germain Lilly is a passionate theater artist and activist who developed her career starting in the 1980’s at Theater for the New City. As an Off-off Broadway producer and New York City teacher, Sarah has directed Enough Plays to End Gun Violence from 2022 to present.  She was recently honored with other Director Producers at the 2025  Love N Courage Gala for Theater for the New City. Sarah is a Brooklyn Arts Council Grant recipient for her program Singing Social Justice and recently produced and directed an excerpt from Barbara Major, her first play, at Flatbush Community Theater. She is an ally with Gays Against Guns and produces a podcast called Radio GAG: The Gays Against Guns Show.