Brian Reager News

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre has revealed its 2024-25 season featuring over 20 resident artists, as well as the official Off-Broadway premiere of Matthew LaBanca's Communion.

COMMUNION, written and performed by Matthew LaBanca has been extended for the second time at the Cell Theater. Based on a true story, the play explores themes of faith, discrimination, and love.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in association with Spin Cycle presents COMMUNION, written and performed by Matthew LaBanca and directed by Kira Simring.

After selling out all initially scheduled performances, Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in association with Spin Cycle will present an additional week of performances of their developmental production of COMMUNION, written and performed by Matthew LaBanca and directed by Kira Simring.

​​​​​​​Bethany Arts Community (BAC) has announced the presentation of IMPACT, written and performed by 2022 BAC artist-in-residence Amy Engelhardt, directed by Kira Simring. IMPACT is a fascinating story told through the lenses of music, multimedia and memory.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre will present the premiere of THE FINAL VEIL, a unique blend of theater, opera and dance. It tells the true story of Franceska Mann, a Polish-Jewish dancer who demonstrated resistance and strength amid the horrors of the Holocaust.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre (Artistic Director Kira Simring) will present an audio adaptation of Seamus Scanlon's The Long Wet Grass featuring voice performances by Tim Ruddy (The Seafarer, The Weir) and Gina Costigan (The Ferryman, Crackskull Row) available to stream beginning Monday August 23rd.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in association with DimlyWit Productions will broadcast the fifth installment of Tolerance Party entitled WAITING FOR I DUNNO which will be available to stream via their website.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre has announced their programming for 2021, which will include collaborations with local and regional artists including One Whale's Tale (Founders Camilo Quiroz-Vazquez and Ellpetha Tsivicos), Amy Engelhardt, The Playhouse at White Lake, Off The Wall Productions, and HOLDTIGHT company.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre will premiere the fourth installment of its ongoing online serial Tolerance Party, with The Signal Through The Noise, available to stream via their website February 26. This installment finds two of our heroes separated in a breakout room, assigned with an unwieldy task.

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.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in association with DimlyWit Productionswill broadcast the second installment of its Tolerance Party series entitled Role Call which will be available to stream via their website.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre is thrilled to announce the premiere of it's first serialized online broadcast Tolerance Party: #1 'Ice-Breakers', which will be available to stream via their website.

Nancy Manocherians the cell, under the Artistic Direction of Kira Simring today announced that it will collaborate with Pittsburgh-based alternative theater company Off the WALL Productions to present the world premiere production of HOARD, a new play by Lissa Brennan, directed by Brian Reager, at the cell, 338 W. 23rd St. New York, NY April 2-18, 2020. Featured in the two-hander are Virginia Wall Gruenert and Erika Cuenca. www.thecelltheatre.org

Starring off the WALL productions' Executive Artistic Director Virginia Wall Gruenert and Associate Artistic Director Erika Cuenca, local playwright Lissa Brennan has crafted a story written precisely for these two actresses. This play is not for the faint of heart; Brennan has done her research. Both Viv and Claire have emotional skeletons in their closets, though some are more visible than others. Viv's 'things' in her house serve to protect her just as the 'walls' in Claire's heart. Each woman is wounded, guarding her pain, neither wishing to reveal it until it is unwillingly pried out of her fingers. Brennan skillfully unravels the story of these two strangers with wit, compassion and venom.

Out of the Box Theatrics' Founding Artistic Director, Liz Flemming announced today that Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley will return to the role of Trisha Lee in their production of Elise Forier Edie's The Pink Unicorn in collaboration with Nancy Manocherian's the cell (338 W 23rd Street) Tuesday, August 13 through Sunday, August 25, 2019. Directed by Amy E. Jones, Ripley initially played a critically acclaimed limited engagement of the production, which was ultimately extended, in May 2019. Tickets currently on sale.

Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley will return to the role of Trisha Lee in their production of Elise Forier Edie's The Pink Unicorn in collaboration with Nancy Manocherian's the cell (338 W 23rd Street) Tuesday, August 13 through Sunday, August 25, 2019. Directed by Amy E. Jones, Ripley initially played a critically acclaimed limited engagement of the production, which was ultimately extended, in May 2019. Tickets will go on sale Monday, July 15.

The Evolution of Mann recently celebrated their cast album release with a party at Troy Liquor Bar. Check out the photos from the celebration below!

The Evolution of Mann celebrated its opening night last Thursday October 4th at the cell (338 West 23rd Street).  The show began performances on September 25 and will continue performances through October 27.

Nancy Manocherian's the cell (Artistic Director, Kira Simring), who scored a hit last season with the World Premiere musical Bastard Jones, will present the New York Premiere of THE EVOLUTION OF MANN, a musical featuring music & lyrics by Drama Desk nominee Douglas J. Cohen (Children's Letters to God, The Opposite of Sex) and book & lyrics by Dan Elish (13: The Musical) based on his novel, Nine Wives. Directed by Joe Barros (Bastard Jones), the production will star Max Crumm (Grease, Disaster!) in the title role. Previews begin September 23 at the cell with opening slated for Today, October 4.