THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th & 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 Directions
THEATER
Songs of Love and Madness is a postmodern romantic comedy that consists of a duet, a love triangle, and a quartet, in which the romantic tropes popularized by contemporary love songs collide with delusions listed in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Illnesses): Is love truly a madness to be desired. All three of the scenes/songs have been produced separately in play festivals, two receiving awards at those festivals.
CAST
Song #1: Could Forever Have Only Ever Meant
Husband: Noah Yager
Wife: Kaley Bender
Song #2: Just Like You
Patient: Isabel Lagana
Therapist: Dan Mauro
Fregoli: Noah Yager
Song #3: Blind For You
Prof. Aurora: Isabel Lagana
Man: Dan Mauro
Woman/Alice: Kaley Bender
About the Crew Mark Tjarks (Author/Composer) teaches scriptwriting, film, and literature at Hawaii Pacific University. His Buskers, the Musical, based on the real lives and performance of New York subway musicians) was presented by the Theater for the New City as part of a pre-COVID New Blood Reading series and Dream Up! Festival. He has had 5 plays staged in Manhattan, including The Unsalable Thing (winner of First Place in the William Faulkner Literary Competition Best Play Contest) and Houseless in Paradise (Po’okela Award winner for Best Overall Play and a Festival Best Bet at the NY International Fringe Fest—“one of the most powerful pieces of documentary theatre I’ve seen” – Ran Xia’s Theatre is Easy). Tjarks is also a recipient of three WIT Best Comedy Awards, Aloha Theatre’s Opie for Best Play, PlayBuilders’ judges and audience awards for Best Play, and Kumu Kahua Theatre’s Playwriting Resident Award. Overall, he has had 32 productions and staged readings of 15 plays.
Nick Hrutkay (Director) is an award-winning director based in Pittsburgh. He has spent ten seasons on the artistic staff at Stagedoor Manor where he is the Director of Education and Assistant Artistic Director. His work has been seen across the country at Theatre Row, The Kennedy Center, The Brick, Actors Temple Theatre, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Bell Theater, Hippodrome Theatre, Central Square Theater, The Media Theatre, Cumberland Theatre, The Huron Playhouse, Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, Alchemical Studios, Playwrights Local, Keystone Repertory Theater, Stagedoor Manor, Carnegie Mellon University, and Point Park University. Nick is the recipient of an ArtWorks Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region II / Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Fellowship, and a BroadwayWorld Award for Best Director of a Musical. nickhrutkay.com
Cecilia Bracey (Assistant Director) is a director based in NYC. She strives to facilitate stories that are, at their core, honest portrayals of the human experience. Recent NYC Directing Credits Include: UNCOMMON WOMEN AND OTHERS, -IN-CHIEF, DRY LAND, SORRY! WE’RE CLOSED! THE SQUIRREL WATCHERS, OUT/Play Regional: SIX by Timothy Mason, and WHAT I WANT TO SAY BUT NEVER WILL. She’s worked at Law and Order: SVU, as Broadway at Music Circus, Powerhouse Theater, and Roundabout Theatre Company and currently is the a producer for OUT/PLAY. Bachelor of Music from CUA. @cecilia_bracey
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th & 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 Directions
CINO THEATER
Three best friends—each from a different background—find their lives turned upside down to the point where they almost lose their minds. However, their spiritual avatars awaken each of them from the chaos of heartbreak, betrayal, and the madness of modern life. Caught between laughter and tears, they seek clarity and self-identity through the most unexpected remedies.
Cast
John secret
Hisa Viscovich
Laura Cardone
Brandie Honor
Jenna Sofia
Siobhan Brandan
Vaibhav Taparia
Breanne Hakes
Manny Weathers
Sherrima Queen (Writer, Director, Actor, Producer) Sartre and Simone, Asst. Director, Theater for the New City. “Green Tea By Day Ganja By Night” Vino Theatre. “Pieces”, winner of NAACP Hollywood Chapter Playwright Competition.”Summer Cafe” , Black Spectrum Theatre Co. “Bury Secrets”
TV Pilot, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. Temple University -B .A., NYU Graduate Studies. www.SherrimaQueen.com. I’m excited to be working again with the iconic Theater for the New City.
John Secret (Assistant Director, Writer, producer, Actor) Produced for the following brands, David Yurman, Hilfiger, Macy and Bloomingdales. My roots are in Film & Theatre Production. I am currently a production Coordinator at Jack Studios. I’m excited to be a part of Green Tea by Day Ganja By Night.
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY Executive Artistic Director, Crystal Field
Presents
Odyssey and the flowers of the sun
June 18, 2026 – July 5, 2026
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
No Show JULY 4th
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
Set in a world shattered by war, Odyssey and the Flowers of the Sun follows a young girl’s mythic journey through grief, memory, and the land of the dead after she is separated from her mother during the destruction of Ithaca. Guided by the blind soothsayer Tiresias, Odyssey travels across distant lands inspired by the traditions, music, and folklore of the Huasteca region of Mexico in search of the mysterious Flowers of the Sun, encountering wandering spirits, roadside memorials, mischievous ravens, and souls longing for peace. Blending movement, ritual, live music, and poetic storytelling, the play reimagines Homer’s Odyssey through the lens of migration, Día de los Muertos, and remembrance, becoming a powerful story about loss, resilience, and the enduring bond between the living and the dead.
Artistic Director Miguel Loyola
Directed by Mia Jurkunas and Miguel Loyola
Assistant Director Olivia Talian
Written by Miguel Loyola
Writing Consultant Mia Jurkunas
CAST
Odyssey — Brooke Baerga
Laundry Washer / Raven / Chorus — Christina Ramsey
Yara / Mom / Laundry Washer / Chorus — Charlotte Key
Juan Manuel / Raven / Chorus — David Carrasco
The Hen / Laundry Washer / Chorus — July Choi
Tiresias / Sister/ Chorus — Mia Jurkunas
Laundry Washer / Raven / Chorus — Mathew Seepersad
The Bard / Sister / Saxophone — Audrey Shon
Understudy / Light Board Operator — Arley Trice
PRODUCTION TEAM
Executive Producer — Miguel Loyola
Production and Stage Manager — Olivia Talian
Production Manager — Mia Jurkunas
Production Coordinator — Charlotte Key
DESIGN TEAM
Set Design — Miguel Loyola
The Two Crosses Created by — Lola Sáenz
Costume Design — Charlotte Key
Lighting Design — Andrew LaPointe
Sound Design — Miguel Loyola
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY Executive Artistic Director, Crystal Field
Presents
VILLAGE PLAYWRIGHTS ONE-ACT PRIDE FESTIVAL 2026
June 18, 2026 – June 21, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 80 minutes, No Intermission
CABARET THEATER
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 Directions
Village Playwright’s Three One-Acts celebrating LGQTB Playwrights!
*** Special thanks to John Gilman for his assistance and guidance throughout the production!
“THE BED” By Robert Heide
Jack, Brian Uceta
Jim, Dakota Scarborough
Two men on a bed when ‘sex is dead’ and ‘God is dead’ is what the play is about. It is the ultimate hang-up, psychologically and metaphysically and the playwright clearly establishes that what we are witnessing here is the anguish of existence. Heide’s most performed play, The Bed was filmed by Andy Warhol who declared it “a work of genius.”
“INCREASED OCCUPANCY” By Robert Heide
Wilcox I, Uni Coglioni
Wicox II, Brian Uceta
Mr. Moneypenny, Mike J. Mills
Exterminator, Leah Temple Lang
Two artists, attempting to live out a bohemian lifestyle, are threatened by a greedy landlord who precipitates an apocalyptic response. As the drama escalates and caution is thrown to the wind , all logic ceases to exist.
“BUTTERCUP’S NON GUCCI MAKEOVER” By Ned Eckhardt
Buttercup, Cassaundra Reed
Cliff, Dakota Scarborough
Bruno, Mike J. Mills
Alice, Leah Temple Lang
“Buttercup’s Non Gucci Makeover” is a campy comedy set in the back of a Gentleman’s Club specializing in drag shows.
A young accountant loses a poker game, and he must perform one song at “Buttercup’s Club”.
The play highlights how “straight” men can really enjoy dressing up like women!
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Uni Coglioni
Stage Manager Beruk Teshome
Light/Sound. Dakota Silvey
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY Executive Director, Crystal Field
Presents
Miss Universe
June 25, 2026 – July 5, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 1 Hour, No intermission
CABARET THEATER
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 Directions
One Earthling. One Alien. Zero boundaries. Abel will commit crimes, dodge his parents, enlist his unwilling friends and derail their dreams, all in the name of contacting his mysterious, hot, sexy, alien girlfriend. When staunch conviction, cryptids and questionable life choices compete – can these terrestrials withstand the cosmic unbinding of their identities?
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THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY Executive Director, Crystal Field
Presents
A Girl Lives Alone
May 28, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Tickets – $20, Students & Seniors $15
Run time: 105 minutes, No intermission
COMMUNITY SPACE
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 Directions
Theater for the New City and MLC Studio brings A Girl Lives Alone, a play by Toronto-based playwright Jessica Moss to TNC for a limited engagement May 28th – 31st.
Marion has uprooted her life and moved to New York in the wake of a break-up, only to find a girl has been found dead in her walk-up apartment building. Soon after, the events in the building begin to mirror the mystery podcast she can’t pull away from, and her life begins to feel like she’s trapped in a Hitchcock film. The lives of the other tenants– and the mysterious noises upstairs– start to close in on her, blurring the line between what is real and what lives only in her imagination. Does living close to others keep us safe, or put us in danger?
Using live sound effects to underscore this uniquely theatrical play, A Girl Lives Alone is an ensemble dark comedy about whether our fears are to be trusted or overcome.
Developed and workshopped at The Juilliard School, the play has received dramaturgical support from playwrights Marsha Norman, Christopher Durang, and David Lindsay-Abaire. A Girl Lives Alone premiered at the 2018 Toronto Summerworks festival, directed by Moss.
Jessica Moss’s plays have previously been called ‘glorious’ (National Post) and ‘pure joy’ (NOW) and have sold out at Fringe and Next Stage festivals. Her plays include Instagirl (2023 Neukom Prize Winner), Funnie: The Most Lamentable Comedie of Jane the Foole (2022 Leah Ryan’s FEWW Prize winner, O’Neill finalist), Our Play (2023 Lanford Wilson award winner), Cam Baby (Toronto Fringe New Play Winner, Weissberger finalist), Polly Polly (Ed Mirvish Award for Entrepreneurship), and more. Training: Juilliard.
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th & 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 Directions
COMMUNITY SPACE
Campsite, set in the wilderness of Maine explores the effects of war, particularly PTSD, on 3 campers sharing a campsite. A father, a retired Colonel and Vietnam War Veteran, and his son, a newly graduated West Point Cadet about to be deployed are on a yearly camping trip. Another Vietnam Veteran–with severe PTSD and suicidal thoughts, wanders in and shares the campsite. Conflicts arise when deeply buried trauma confronts the Colonel and his damaged relationship with his son.
The play concludes with a powerful emotional moment, highlighting the shared pain and experiences of the characters, emphasizing the lasting impact of war on individuals and families.
Produced by AdLib Theater Company
CAST
Dwight Adams: Jack Wooten
Rocky Adams: Flavio Romeo
Troy Conlin: Dan Bellusci
Michael Ackerman (July 10, 1938 – Aug. 16, 2012) Playwright, earned a Master of Fine Arts from Yale University and worked in theater for many years as a playwright, stage manager and director.
His original play, Goldberg’s Kaddish, was produced in 1995 at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland to wide acclaim. It received a New York Premier at the New York Theater Festival in June 2023 produced by AdLib Theater Company.
AdLib is currently workshopping another of Michael’s plays, Campsite.
Michael was politically active his whole life and known for his many letters to the editor.
At the end of his life, Michael, in deep depression, destroyed many of his plays. His sister, Judith Ackerman, managed to save these two plays and has publishing rights
to the two plays.
He was also known at blues festivals throughout the Northeast for his uninhibited dancing.
• John Torres, Director has performed and directed shows across metro New York area. His 2022 production of Sweat for The Collective was named Best Play by Broadway World Long Island and recognized for Best Direction of a Play. John has taught acting for teens and adults, and secured grants to fund productions for several nonprofit theater companies. John thanks this cast and crew for their time and talent. Theater isn’t for everyone, but when it’s for you, there’s simply nothing else like it! Much gratitude to Lucy, with whom, none of this ever happens.
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field, with
The LES Committee, Presents:
The 31st Annual LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
FREE!!!
Memorial Day Weekend
MAY 22, 23, 24, 2026 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (btw E 9th and E 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
212-254-1109 Directions
Listen to our LES promo on 1010 WINS!
Theater for the New City has currently scheduled over 200 performing arts organizations, independent artists, poets, puppeteers and film makers for its 30th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts.
Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted.
Indoor performances will take stage from 6:00 PM to midnight each day, utilizing two of TNC’s four theaters. From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday, vendors and food sellers, including booths from nearby restaurants, will set up in the closed-off block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues.
The festival has been presented annually since 1996, with a cohort of theater, dance, performance, music, film, literary and visual artists participating on all three days. This year, the festival is mounted with the theme “Courage Through the Arts: A Vote Against Tyranny.” The subject will be addressed in some of the playlets and acts written for the festival.
Multidisciplinary indoor performances will take stage from 6:00 PM to midnight each evening, utilizing two of TNC’s four theaters. From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday, vendors and food sellers, including booths from nearby restaurants, will line the closed-off block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues. On Saturday afternoon inside in the Johnson Theater, there will be performances by and for children, curated by T. Scott Lilly, Danielle Hauser and Miguel Loyola, emceed by John Grimaldi. A fine art show, curated by Carolyn Ratcliffe, will be displayed throughout the fest in the theater’s lobby gallery. A film program will be presented Saturday from noon to 10:00 PM in the Cabaret Theater, featuring works by auteurs from the Lower East Side/East Village along with works that reflect the essence of the neighborhood. Over 20 films curated by Burak Tatar will be screened, accompanied by talkbacks with a number of the film makers. On Saturday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, an Outdoor Stage adjoining the theater will offer music and multi-discipline performances curated by Richard West, assisted by Didi Champagne. On Sunday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in TNC’s Community Theater, there will be a “Poetry Jam with Prose on the Side” curated by Lissa Moira and emceed by Richard West and Didi Champagne.
The performers’ roster includes such luminary performers as David Amram and Penny Arcade. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and NY City Council Member Gale A. Brewer (6th District) will address the gathering on Saturday, May 23 at 8:00 PM.
Performing ensembles participating will include Bond Street Theater, Chinese Theatre Works, Cobu, The Drilling Company, Folksbiene National Yiddish Theater, Kinding Sindaw, New Yiddish Rep, Textile Theater Collective, Wise Guise, and many more.
There will be original writings (many penned exclusively for the festival) by Anne Lucas, Barbara Kahn, Douglas Lackey, Elizabeth Ruf, Larry Littany Litt, Miguel Loyola, Toby Armour, Tom Diriwachter, Stefan Diethelm, Briana Bartenieff and Victor Vauban Jr.
Excerpts of plays performed will include “Tortas Y Tacones” by JC Augustin (an excerpt of his “Detonation Rat Cabaret”), “Dana II” by Jasmine Hyman, projects of Mary Tierney’s TNC Theater Workshop, “Decay of a Rose” by Victor Vauban, and songs from TNC’s 2025 Street Theater production, “Home Sweet Home, or a Life In New York.”
Individual performers appearing will include Glitter Kitty (Emily Vetch and Jeff Davis), John Grimaldi, Stan Baker, Terry Lee King (Amazin’ Grace), Tym Moss, Zero Boy, David F. Slone Esq. and Ed Malin.
Dance performances will include works by Ashley Liang Dance Company, Carol Tandava, Rastro Dance Company (Julieta Valero), Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and aerial dance by Constellation Moving Co.
Musical performers appearing will include Alessandra Belloni, Art Lillard Quartet, David Amram, Joe Bendik, Louisa Bradshaw, Michael A Green, Mimi Block, Mister Pablo, Noam Fainegold’s Burning City Orchestra, Peter Dizozza, Richard West, Robert Gonzales Jr. and Yip Harburg Rainbow Troupe.
Comedy performers will include Joan Reinmuth, Fei Lin Yang and others TBA.
“Poetry Jam with Prose on the Side,” curated by Lissa Moira and hosted by Richard West and Didi Champagne, will take stage Sunday, May 24 from 4-7pm in TNC’s Community Space Theater. Wordslingers are TBA. An open mic will follow as time permits.
This year, the film program, curated by Barak Tatar, is screening over 20 projects, shorts, documentaries, and animations, all projects created by New York Artists or shot in New York, particularly emphasizing LES Artists. Talk backs follow each screening. (Saturday from noon to 10:00 PM.)
Throughout the festival, an art show curated by Carolyn Ratcliffe will grace the TNC lobby spaces. This exhibition will have its own free, special opening Wednesday, May 21 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Participating artists are TBA.
In the Johnson Theater, emcees will be Crystal Field, Robert Gonzales Jr., Danielle Aziza, Melanie Goodreaux and Sabura Rashid. In the Cabaret Theater, emcees will be Tim Moss, Elizabeth Ruf and Wendy Stuart. The film program will be emceed by Burak Tatar.
Specialty curators of the festival include Lissa Moira (poetry), Burak Tatar (film), T. Scott Lilly and Danielle Hauser (kids’ performances), Carolyn Ratcliffe (visual art) and Richard West and Didi Champagne (outdoor theater-dance-music). The whole festival is organized by the LES Committee (see below) and chaired by Crystal Field.
Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Exhibit
LES: COURAGE IN THE ARTS: A VOTE AGAINST TYRANNY
SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
FRIDAY EVENING IN THE JOHNSON – MAY 22
6:00 – Cobu
6:22 – Artichoke Dance Company
6:34 – Penny Arcade
6:46 – Peter Dizzoza
6:58 – Briana Bartenieff
7:10 – The Rainbow Troupe
7:22 – Alison Cook Beatty (Dance)
7:34 – Tym Moss
7:46 – Julieta Valero
7:56 – Sylvian Laroux
8:08 – Drilling Company
8:20 – Thunderbird (Louis)*
8:32 – Melange
8:44 – Bradshaw/Nissen
8:56 – Glitter Kitty
9:08 – Street Theater Company
9:20 – Mister Pablo
9:32 – Inma Heredia
9:44 – Street Theater
9:56 – WilliAnn Gissendamer
10:08 – The Wise Guise
10:20 – Amy Coleman
10:32 – Miguel Loyola
10:44 – Nathan Fosbinder
10:56 – Zen Mansley
11:08 – Gravity
11:20 – Steve Epstein
11:32 – Rocco George
11:44 – Terry Lee King and Billy Little
FRIDAY EVENING IN THE CABARET – MAY 22
6:30 – Star ’69
6:52 – Leila Wright
7:04 – David Jacobson
7:16 – Anwar Suleiman
7:28 – Sheila Walsh
7:40 – Textile Theater Collective
7:52 – Wendy Stuart
8:04 – Evan Laurence
8:16 – Jason Carmichael
8:28 – Stefan Diethelm
8:40 – Viktoriya Papayan
8:52 – Lei Zhou
9:04 – Larry Litt
9:16 – Robert Greer
9:28 – Stan Baker
9:40 – Fei Lin Yang
9:52 – Lady Clover Honey
10:04 – Jasmine Hyman
10:16 – The Tierney Workshop
10:28 – Rew Star
10:40 – Mariposa Hernandez
SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOUTH PERFORMANCES
JOHNSON THEATER
Coordinators: Danielle Aziza & T. Scott Lilly
Hosted by John Grimaldi
2-5 PM
2:15 PM – THE ZYLIK BROTHERS
2:30 PM – MARTIAL ARTS FAMILY STUDIO
2:45 PM – ROCK BANDS FOR KIDS
3:00 PM – TNC ARTS IN EDUCATION
3:30 PM – COBU “NEXT GENERATION”
3:45 PM – MOVE. MAKE. BLOOM
4:00 PM – PS 166 AMAZING ATHLETE’S CIRCUS
4:15 PM – THE YIP HARBURG RAINBOW TROUPE
4:30 PM – FAIRY TALE MARIONETTES
SATURDAY FILM PROGRAM 12 PM – 11 PM
The Cabaret Theater (downstairs) seats about 65
Curator: Burak Tatar
Technical Director: Roy Chang
Hosted by Burak Tatar and Erdem Erdal Ülker Q&A After each block.
SATURDAY EVENING IN THE JOHNSON – MAY 23
6:00 – Mimi (Mother: Tomoko) Block
6:26 – John Grimaldi
6:38 – Douglas Lackey
6:50 – Varshini Krishnaswamy (India Center Dancer)
7:02 – Yara Arts Virlana Tkacz Yara Arts
7:14 – Lynnea (from Estelle) Benson
7:26 – Victor Vauban
7:38 – Zylik
7:50 – Shran (Sitar player)
8:00 – Gale Brewer
8:06 – Brad Hoylman
8:14 – Ashley Liang
8:36 – Carol Tandava
8:48 – Judy Gorman
9:00 – Chinese Theatre Works
9:12 – David Mandelbaum Folksbiene
9:24 – Sharif Bina
9:36 – Dunesical
9:58 – David Amram
10:20 – KT Sullivan
10:32 – Ellen Stier
10:44 – The Croquet player 1
10:56 – Robert Gonzalez
11:08 – The Croquet player 2
11:20 – Yenny Sanchez
11:32 – Toby Armour
11:46 – Lenin Alivante
SUNDAY EVENING IN THE JOHNSON – MAY 24
6:00 – Art Lillard Quartet
6:32 – Queer Big Apple Corps
6:44 – Susan MacEuan
6:56 – Riki Rose
7:08 – Tom Diriwatcher
7:20 – constellation moving company
7:32 – Zero Boy
7:44 – Anni Rossi
7:56 – Barbara Kahn
8:08 – Perri Sussman
8:20 – Richard West
8:32 – Alessandra Belloni
8:44 – Kinding Sindaw
8:56 – Caytha Jentis
9:18 – Melanie Godreaux
9:30 – Toni Renee Taylor
9:42 – Bennet Pologe
9:54 – Sarah Jamane Lily
10:06 – Tango Dance Works
10:18 – JC Detonation/What’s Tomorrow
10:30 – Elissa Blynn
10:42 – Asher Cohen
10:54 – Jose Ruiz
11:06 – Arley Trice
11:18 – Michael Christian
11:30 – Valery Oisteanu
11:42 – Darling Toby
11:54 – Doug Principato
12:06 – David Slone
SUNDAY EVENING IN THE CABARET – MAY 24
6:30 – Noem Feingold
6:52 – Matthew Moore
7:04 – Richard Weber
7:16 – J. Dolan Byrnes
7:28 – Lower East Side Performing Arts
7:40 – Darpin Joshi
7:52 – Samantha Mileski
8:04 – Burak Tatar
8:16 – India Stachyra
8:28 – Stephanie Vesina
8:40 – Beth Griffith
8:52 – Dante Jayce
9:04 – Joe Bendik
9:16 – Elizabeth Ruf
9:28 – Emilio Garcia
9:40 – Ed Malin
BACKGROUND
The first festival, presented June 14 to 16, 1996, was a three-day, indoor and outdoor multi-arts festival, organized by TNC and a coalition of civic, cultural and business leaders. The aim was to demonstrate the creative explosion of the Lower East Side and the area’s importance to culture and tourism for New York City. It employed two theater spaces at TNC plus the block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues, featured over 100 attractions, drew favorable press and attracted crowds from all around the City. Its success prompted TNC to continue the festival annually on Memorial Day Weekend. For 28 years it has been presented free each year to an average attendance of 4,000. (In 2020 it was held online due to pandemic concerns).
The concept of the festival was developed by Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director of TNC and Esther Cartegena (d. 2006), President of Loisaida, Inc., to portray the Lower East Side (LES) as a haven for artists and artistic creation. The region is a unique multi-ethnic community with an unusually high level of artistic vitality. Large populations with differing languages and cultures coexist there successfully and a large artistic population helps glue the neighborhood together. Its theaters are also an unprecedented source of tourism. Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Buried Child,” was commissioned and first produced by TNC. The committee envisioned an event that would demonstrate the region’s cultural fervor, its large artistic population and its multiplicity of ethnic influences to contradict the neighborhood’s stereotype as a dangerous refuge for drug dealers and criminal activity.
Disciplines presented have always included theater, music, dance, poetry, puppetry, cabaret, visual art, film and children’s programming.
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
🎷 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’
🎶 Performers
Andre Chez Lewis (piano)
Lonnie Plaxico (bass)
Patience Higgins (sax)
Nick Scheuble (drums)
Anthony Battle (percussion)
Plus special guest “Jazzy Thespians”
📌 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 big shot 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
