RECENT PRODUCTIONS
"The play's the thing." - Shakespeare
"A movie of the play is another thing" - NewStuff Productions
'No barking dogs nor screaming sirens down busy boulevards nor raging
pandemics can stay our actors from their appointed scenes.'
A white liberal professor. Her Black student. An American revolution is on the table.
A NewStuff Production starring Christi J. Sweeney and Destiny Brownridge.
Directed by Jack Messenger.
DISTRACTED | Summer 2018
Lisa Loomer's ("Living Out", "The Waiting Room") searing Broadway comedy about one family's journey to find a solution for their 9-year old son's Attention Deficit Disorder. They seek the help of psychiatrists, educational therapists, occupational therapists, homeopaths and a cowboy boot-wearing New Mexico guru for answers. In the end, the key that unlocks the door is found in a little four letter word.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS | World Premiere Fall 2019
Jack Messenger's deeply personal 'passion play' about the epidemic of gun violence in the USA, the dirty politics of the NRA and the mounting irrelevance of the 2nd Amendment. "Thoughts and Prayers" follows one powerful Congressman's epiphany and eventual journey to redemption after he loses his family in a mass shooting at his Texas hometown church.
SEMINAR | Summer 2019
Theresa Rebeck's 'Seminar' tells the story of four young writers who each pay $5,000 for a ten-week seminar with Leonard, an international literary figure. The story begins with Kate, a well-to-do Upper West Sider with a fancy apartment who arranges the seminar for herself and three friends: Martin, her neurotic ex-boyfriend who refuses to share his work with anyone; Douglas, the well-connected prep school sweetheart; and Izzy, the gritty opportunist sexpot. Leonard’s unorthodox teaching style soon pits the classmates against each other: some of them flourish under his version of tough love, while others flounder with self-doubt. Funny to a point. Endlessly witty. 'Seminar' opens us up to the emotional pitfalls of becoming a writer. It works!
Have you ever known a person who touched every part of your life? Have you ever loved someone over distance and time? Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III invite you to share their unique story as they grow together through the power of the pen.
Ms. Melissa Gardner and Mr. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III invite you to share in their 50-year love affair.
"LOVE LETTERS" LIVE! on YouTube
Friday, June 19th at 7:30pm PT
Starring Lois Bourgon and Jack Messenger
Produced by NewStuff Productions and Bitten From The Apple Productions:
Directed by Andrew Appel
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SUPERIOR DONUTS
Superior Donuts takes place in the historic Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, where Arthur Przybyszewski runs the donut shop that has been in his family for sixty years. Franco Wicks, a young black man and Arthur's only employee, wants to modernize the shop, while Arthur is more content to spend the day smoking weed and reminiscing about his Polish immigrant father. This provocative comedy, set in the heart of one of Chicago's most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.
“Funny and very life affirming. Tracy Letts has written a heartwarming play.”
- Detroit Free Press
“Comfort humor of the warmest kind. Letts’ play evokes the Norman Lear comedies of the 70’s in this sweet story. This is NOT “August Osage County”. This is decidedly more affectionate.”
- New York Post