CURRENT & UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS
A Seasonal Press Calendar

Publicity photos for most shows are available for free download.

Closed productions have been removed from this list.
If you need info or photos for a production which has closed, please email us.

"Feathers of Fire" is the most elaborate shadow theater experience ever created, and this recording, captured on an actual theater stage, transforms it into a video-on-demand production for all ages. The story is adapted from Shahnameh (the Persian Book of Kings) and tells the action-packed tale of two star-crossed lovers of old Persia. Zaul, an outcast albino boy, is brought up by a bird-goddess and grows up into a wise ruler. He enters into a forbidden love with Rudabeh, a princess who is the granddaughter of the dreaded Serpent King. Their young, impetuous romance survives many precarious adventures before they finally receive blessings for their union. When they ultimately have a child, it is Rostam, "the Hercules of Iran." Aspects of the story are reminiscent of "Romeo and Juliet," "Rapunzel," "The Firebird" and "Jungle Book."

The piece is created and directed by Hamid Rahmanian, a 2014 Guggenheim fellowship-winning filmmaker/visual artist living in Brooklyn. It is endorsed by Francis Ford Coppola, who called the production "Fantastic! One of the greatest epics of all time and my favorite Shahnameh brought to life in a spectacular fashion by Hamid Rahmanian with shadow puppets design and cinematic wizardry."

COMPLETE INFO: www.jsnyc.com/season/feathers.htm

OCTOBER 2 TO 30
NEW FEDERAL THEATRE
"OCTOBERFEST: A RETROSPECTIVE READINGS SERIES"
On Fridays from October 2 to 20, New Federal Theatre (NFT) will present "Octoberfest," a retrospective readings series in which five rarely-done yet noteworthy plays, all previously produced by NFT, will be recreated by accomplished actors. These plays raise topics, issues and personal stories that are newly relevant in these times of pandemic and social inequality. The series is dedicated to the late Chadwick Boseman, whose acting career was launched at NFT, who served on NFT’s Board of Directors and was a lifelong supporter of NFT. The plays are: "Do Lord Remember Me" by Jim De Jongh, directed by Regge Life; "Dr. Du Bois and Miss Ovington" by Clare Coss, directed by Gabrielle Kurlander; "From the Mississippi Delta" by Endesha Ida Mae Holland, directed by Ed Smith; "Medal of Honor Rag" by Tom Cole, directed by A.. Dean Irby and "Stories About the Old Days" by Bill Harris, directed by La Tanya Richardson Jackson.

COMPLETE INFO: www.jsnyc.com/season/octoberfest.htm

OCTOBER 9
A VIRTUAL EVENT PRESENTED BY THE NEGRO ENSEMBLE, INC.
NEW SHORT PLAY SERIES, "THIS WORLD WAS MADE FOR ALL MEN--AND WOMEN"
On Friday, October 9 at 8:00 PM, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will live stream the second installment of its NEC Zoom Short Play Series, "This World Was Made for All Men--And Women," a ten-minute play competition to be live streamed from Contra Studios, 122 W. 26th Street, Manhattan. The studio will function as a sound stage for a shoot with four fully staged plays and three readings that were written expressly for this competition. At the end of the night, a panel of judges will announce the winning play, whose playwright will receive a cash prize. There will be no live audience, but online viewing is free and unlimited and viewers will be able to vote for their favorite play on Zoom. Host will be Obie-winning actor Yvette Ganier. Admission is free; suggested donation is $15 and audiences can watch on Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube. But you've gotta be on Zoom to vote.

COMPLETE INFO: www.jsnyc.com/season/10-min-plays.htm

OCTOBER 23 AT 8:00 PM
A VIRTUAL EVENT PRESENTED BY THE NEGRO ENSEMBLE, INC.
COMEDY ZOOM, "LAUGH THROUGH THE PANDEMIC & BREAK THE TENSION"
The Negro Ensemble, Inc. will present its third Comedy Zoom, hosted by Gil "Gil T" Tucker, with Natasha Calloway-Adams, Julie Baez, Henry Clay aka WWBC, Tim Wynn and Kool Bubba Ice. To attend, go here. Meeting ID: 225 960 4067 - Password: NEC.2020 - Donations ($15 suggested) through Venmo: TheNegroEnsembleCompany-Inc, PayPal: sales@necinc.org or Cashapp: NECcashnow.

OCTOBER 30 AT 8:00 PM
A VIRTUAL EVENT PRESENTED BY THE NEGRO ENSEMBLE, INC.
The Negro Ensemble, Inc. will present its third Poetry Zoom, hosted by Daniel Carlton (lineup TBA). Reservations info TBA.

OCTOBER 31
A VIRTUAL EVENT PRESENTED BY THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
VILLAGE HALLOWEEN COSTUME BALL
Theater for the New City's Village Halloween Costume Ball, a revered Village tradition that frequently welcomes over 1,200 revelers, will be presented virtually this year with most of its key traditions preserved. Notable artists including Everett Quinton, F. Murray Abraham, Austin Pendleton, Phoebe Legere and Penny Arcade will appear along with over 100 other performers. A wide variety of multi-arts events is promised, including cabaret shows, music for dancing, radio plays, kids' attractions, an art exhibit, I Ching readings, a scream contest, a costume judging and a vicious and sexy late night cabaret. The celebration starts at 2:00 PM October 31 and everything will be streamed on the theater's website (www.theaterforthenewcity.net) and its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theaterforthenewcity). Only new works will be presented.

COMPLETE INFO: www.jsnyc.com/season/halwn44.htm

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