Staff Picks No. 87
Cold Water : Philippa Lawford, Michael Herwitz
Ki Smith Gallery
March 19th-April 9th 2025
As someone who does an ice face bath each day, this title got me! A play about workplace power dynamics fits right at home for director Michael Herwitz, who thrilled (and perhaps terrified) audiences with his Broadway debut "Job" last year.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Nyatt School Redux : The Wooster Group
The Performing Garage
March 8th-29th 2025
Elizabeth LeCompte returns to direct a "redux" of the 1978 play, featured Spalding Gray’s first foray into the monologue form. Kate Valk, the Garage, 80 minutes, iconic theater group -- what more do you need to know? I'll be there March 14!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Deep Blue Sound : Abe Koogler, Arin Arbus, and a trove of a cast
The Public
February 25th-March 29th 2025
I want to scream about how gorgeous this play is but I worry such a decibel might disturb the whales. Kind of like "Our Town" but queerer, weirder, and dare I say more satisfying, Abe Koogler's gem features a finely tuned cast where everyone is just a little bit lonelier than they want to be. Crystal Finn is Finning all over the stage, so hysterically consumed by trying to find the missing whales' beauty she doesn't realize it's right upstairs, where her son is wholeheartedly dancing. When Jan Leslie Harding, in her tender, gravelly voice, makes a small choice, I welled a big tear. Arnie Burton is, as ever, a throbbing heart in a community full of'm. Everything moves to Arin Arbus' simple, tidal direction: actors come in, actors go out, and — look! — a story has gently unfolded. Afterward, my love said something like, "This play fills me with gratitude that it trusts an audience to watch it." Thank you thank you thank you.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
The Trojans : Leegrid Stevens, Eric Paul Vitale, Deena Kaye
The Cell
March 19th-April 19th 2025
I am a fan of Loading Dock and have seen everything they have done since probably 2013 AND I am fascinated by shows at The Cell, as it is such a unique and special space. And if you also love to see what folx do with classics, you gotta go!
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Bubble Schmeisis : Nick Cassenbaum
The Brick Theater
March 20th-29th 2025
Nick visited NY from London last year and we got to spend a bunch of time together, including putting on a show at Brick Aux with Zoe Geltman, Sophie Zucker, Peter Mills Weiss and William Sydney. It was a total blast and I was blown away by Nick’s ideas, talent, humor and ability to fucking hang. A lot of 2025 at The Brick still has a lotta my soul in it, and I WILL be haunting this show. Come and bring friends. Nick is not from NY and so we really gotta show up and keep connecting. It is worth it.
FULL TEAM:
Written and performed by Nick Cassenbaum
Directed by Danny Braverman
Designed by Bethany Wells
Music put together by Daniel Gouly and Josh Middleton
Produced by The Neighborhood: An Urban Center for Jewish Life
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Masterclass : Adrienne Truscott and Brokentalkers
NYU Skirball
March 28th-29th 2025
First, you have to see this show. Adrienne Truscott is a genius, which is ironic because the whole point of her work is that every horrible artist we hold up as genius is a ridiculous asshole. But she's a real genius and her play with Brokentalkers, Masterclass, is actually masterful. Framed as a parody of an interview with a famous artist, the play quickly derails into...well you'll have to see for yourself. Come for the biting critique of the art world, stay to be taught a real lesson about how to make a damn good show.
***I know Skirball tickets are expensive but it's worth it. You can rush for $20, or maybe get friendly with an NYU student to access their special discounts.
Staffer: Noa Rui-Piin Weiss
Bunny Bunny : Raja Feather Kelly
Invisible Dog
March 13th-15th 2025
Raja is always a choreographer to watch, an artist who turns up the dial on how his artists naturally move to create something smart and heightened. His new piece, for three nights only, is a dance-theater production and installation exploring desire and surveillance. Intrigued!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival 2025 : Curated by Nicky Paraiso with Guest Curators: Martita Abril, Blaze Ferrer, Adham Hafez and TONS of great artists
LaMaMa
April 10th-May 4th 2025
Ooooooh boy oh boy do I miss dance right now. All I want is to go to something like La MaMa Moves so that I can see A LOT of dance and just luxuriate in whatever the hell it has to offer. I am sure it will be surprising and beautiful and strange and crack something open in your soul.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister