A play with rap inspired by New York’s homeless
Shara Ashley Zeiger’s Roughly Speaking, a new show with rap based on more than 200 interviews with New York City’s homeless, continues through November 20 at Tada Theatre with direction by Celine Rosenthal. Set in a soup kitchen, the play tells the story of Lightning.Bolt, a rapper bound only by his wheelchair. Performances began October 29 with a cast that includes Broadway actors Franz Jones (Big River) and Danny Bolero (In the Heights).
For anybody who has ever taken a writers’ workshop
In Lawrence Dial’s In the Room, a motley collection of dreamers and amateurs come together for a playwriting workshop led by a washed-up playwright with one forgotten hit to his name. As the weeks go by, the plays begin to blur the line between fact and fiction, upsetting the balance of the workshop. The world-premiere production, directed by Adam Knight, continues through November 13 at the Alchemical Theatre.
An August Wilson classic
Seventh in his ten-part The Pittsburgh Cycle, also known as the American Century Cycle series, Two Trains Running is revived Off-Broadway for two weeks only. Set in 1969 in Pittsburgh's Hill District, the story follows the struggles of a local diner owner fighting to stay open as his regulars deal with racial inequality and turbulent changing times. The Black Spectrum Theater staging is directed by Bette Howard at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center; performances began November 4 and continue through November 20.
A bold new take on a Shakespearean classic
Combative Theatre Co., an ensemble theatre company committed to exploring storytelling through stage combat and movement, debuts its first production, Coriolanus: From Man to Dragon. Omri Kadim’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s political drama is directed by Yuriy Pavlish, and features an ensemble of stage combat experts and fight directors. Performances run from November 4-20 at the Italy Time Theatre.
A comedy about growing up and growing older—not necessarily in that order
Queens Theatre presents Joni Fritz’s award-wining comedy In the Car with Blossom and Len, directed by Tony nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett. Emmy Award winner Martha Byrne, Emily Jon Mitchell, Peter Levin, and Patricia Randell make up the cast of this play about two adult sisters dealing with neurotic, aging parents. Performances will run November 11-20 at the Queens Theatre’s Shulman Theatre.
A Pulitzer-Prize winner re-imagined
Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Anna Christie, receives a contemporary re-telling by director Peter Richards at The Wild Project December 2-17. The play follows the story of a woman torn between the expectations of the men close to her, and the secrets of her past. The cast features Therese Plaehn, Stephen D’Ambrose, Ben Chase, Tina Johnson, and Scott Aiello.
