New York University celebrates the re-opening of the historic Provincetown Playhouse this fall with a series of events that captures the spirit of the original Playwrights' Theater, founded at 133-39 MacDougal Street in 1916.
The
Provincetown Playhouse was renovated as part of the construction of an adjacent new center for legal research, Wilf Hall. During the renovation, the University retained almost all the original walls of the theatre, as well as its original volume, but upgraded it with new seating, new lighting and sound controls, and new air handling.
Alicia Hurley, NYU's Vice President for Government Relations and Community Engagement, said, "From the outset, NYU understood the historic importance of this playhouse, and particularly the role it played in works of the great American playwright,
Eugene O'Neill. For that reason, the University not only committed to keeping the Provincetown a
Working Theatre, but went to great effort and significant expense to retain as much as possible of the original theatre's walls. We're very proud of the outcome, which will contribute to the artistic and intellectual life of the Village for many years to come."
A Select List of the Coming Year's Events
Musical Theatre Production: Promenade, which premiered at the Judson Memorial Church in 1965, is a musical that reflects the history of cutting-edge experimental theatre in the Village. Book and lyrics by Maria Irene Fornés and music by
Al Carmines; featuring students from NYU's program in vocal performance. Tickets are $5 and are available through NYU's Ticket Central, online at http://www.nyu.edu/ticketcentral/, by phone at 212.352.3101, or in person at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South). Fri., Nov. 12 & Sat., Nov. 13, 8:00 pm. Plus, a special free performance for members of the Judson Memorial Church community on Sun, Nov. 14, 7:00 pm; tickets will become available to the general public on Nov. 8 by emailing steinhardt.boxoffice@nyu.edu.
Open House for NYU's Neighbors: The
Provincetown Playhouse opens its doors to the Greenwich Village community and the general public. Come by for cider and cookies, view the new exhibitions in the lobby, and tour the theatre. Sat., Dec. 11, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm.
Provincetown History through Storytelling: Stories about the
Provincetown Playhouse, a storytelling series by
Regina Ress. Sponsored by the Program in Educational Theatre. Free and open to the public. Fri., Feb. 11, 8:00 pm.
Play series: Plays from the
Provincetown Playhouse. Presented by NYU Steinhardt's program in educational theatre, this special performance series features one-act plays by
Susan Glaspell,
Eugene O'Neill, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. From its beginnings,
The Provincetown Players was an amateur group of actors, writers, and artists who came together to create and perform new works by
American Playwrights, first in Provincetown, Massachusetts in 1915 and then in Greenwich Village at the
Provincetown Playhouse in 1916.
The Provincetown Players helped to launch the careers of O'Neill, Glaspell, and others. Tickets: $15; $5 with student i.d. and are available through NYU's Ticket Central, online at http://www.nyu.edu/ticketcentral/, by phone at 212.352.3101, or in person at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South).. Dates: Fri., Feb 25 thru Sun., Feb 27; Thurs., March 3 thru Sun., March 6.
The
Provincetown Playhouse is used as a primary teaching and performance theatre for the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development's undergraduate and graduate programs in Educational Theatre and Vocal Performance. The theatre is used year-round for rehearsals, for acting, set design, lighting, and directing classes, and for a wide variety of performances of experimental, classic, and contemporary plays and works-in-development for audiences of all ages.
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