Theater For The New City Extends GRACE IS GOOD, A Play For The #metooconversation

Theater for the New City is extending the Textile Co.'s production of Grace is Good, a new play about relationships and rumors in the workplace, through June 24.

The play, written by Claude Solnik and directed by Scott David Reeves, was slated to run May 31 to June 17 at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., between Ninth and Tenth Streets. TNC has extended the run through June 24, amid positive reaction and interest in the show.

Tickets are $18 and $15 for students and seniors available by clicking the Tix. link. The show, a mixture of drama and comedy, looks at relationships and rumors in the workplace.

We watch workers in an office try to figure out whether they are witnessing a #metoo story unfurl in front of them. When they're uncertain, the workers take extraordinary measures to find out.

The audience, at least at first, sees the story through the co-workers' eyes, before in the second act finding out what is happening and what isn't.

"Grace tells a Me Too story that hasn't been in the news, but could easily happen in any office," Solnik said. "Co-workers try to figure out what's occurring, whether it's inappropriate and whether it's harassment. What would you do, if anything, if you thought you were seeing a #metoo story unfurl in real time?"

Grace is Good is an Actors' Equity approved showcase in which Arielle Mandelberg plays Grace, a new hire at an aviation publication, where Warren, played by Scott David Reeves is the editor.

Co-workers include Nate played by Atticus Cain, Barry played by Mike Cesarano and Annette played by Dana Segal, who all become suspicious that Warren played by Scott David Reeves is taking advantage of the new hire.

Jillie Simon plays Marie, the publisher who tries to protect everyone. Remy Muloway plays Alex, the ghost of a former hire who haunts the office.

Anonymous complaints, quotes from Jane Austen and suspicious encounters all build suspense the office is divided, while everyone tries to determine how and whether the two people are involved and whether it's inappropriate - and even illegal.

"Grace is a new hire and her co-workers are trying to keep an eye out for her, so she doesn't make any rookie mistakes. Warren, the paper's managing editor, decides to take the new reporter under his wing," Reeves said. "As their friendship grows, so do her co-workers' suspicions. The office grows tense as accusations fly and the situation spirals out of control. Grace is Good examines the limits of professional relationships and the danger of rumors."

Grace is Good, with Joanna Newman as stage manager and light board operator by Rafael Rosa, also looks at how relationships in the office can impact the people involved and co-workers - and how it can destabilize the workplace.

"What happens when co-workers start to investigate what's happening and try to figure out who's right and who's wrong?" Solnik asked. "In some cases, what's happening is clear and so is right and wrong. But that isn't the case in every situation."

The play, which recreates an office onstage, looks more at the gray areas in #metoo situations, when it isn't clear what's happening or who is at fault, if anyone.

"If the cast discussions during rehearsals are any indicator, this play is sure to start a dialogue on the gray area between right and wrong," Mandelberg said. "It's been a stirring, moral-questioning trip to take, especially at this time in our society."

The play also brings out characters' own #metoo stories, things that happened to them that affect how they look at the world around them.

"Each woman in Grace is Good has her own Me Too story," Reeves said. "Grace is Good takes one story and shows it to us on stage, following it from suspicion to resolution and even revenge."

Remy Muloway, the ghost of employees past, haunts the office, as we hear about how he was fired - and learn about shouting and what sounds like bullying.

"Every Me Too story is very specific, but also universal. We keep hearing about new cases, but the issue of what's appropriate, what's right and what's wrong, remains," Reeves said. "Are relationships in the office wrong? If they involve a supervisor and a hire, are they tinder boxes?"

Grace is Good, Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., New York, New York, 10003. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 3 p.m. Original run May 31-June 17. Extended through June 24. $18, $15 students and seniors. (212) 254-1109 or www.theaterforthenewcity.net.

To post a comment, you must register and login.