Ars Nova presents ‘Dr. Ride’s American Beach House’ by Liza Birkenmeier

Kristen Sieh (left) & Erin Marke (right). Photo: Ben Arons Photography

  Historic events impact lives.  There are the famous examples of Walt Whitman's Civil War poetry, Abraham Zapruder's home movie of the events in Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963 and the January 21, 2017 Women's March posters currently displayed at Poster House.  But then there are the private ones.  BFFs Harriet (Kristen Sieh) and Matilda (Erin Markey) confront a turning point in their relationship during a landmark event in U.S. space history in Liza Birkenmeier's Dr. Ride's American Beach House, now playing through November 3, 2019 at Ars Nova at Greenwich House.  Birekenmeier is Ars Nova's current Tow Playwright-in-Residence. Harriet and Matilda

‘Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie’ at Ars Nova Greenwich House

Courtesy of Ben Arons Photography

  A show that's sold old since previews is pretty much reviewer-proof, but, if possible, try to catch Mrs. Murray's Menagerie  at Ars Nova at Greenwich House  (27 Barrow Street, NYC).  Created by The Mad Ones and Phillip James Brannon, Brad Heberlee, Carmen M. Herlihy and January LaVoy, the 90-minute send-up ends its run on May 11. Mrs. Murray's Menagerie is a fictitious 1970s children's television show - an idea already loaded with potential.  Rather than do the show, the script and director Lila Neugebauer bring it to life with songs and guest appearances by its heavily licensed and franchise puppet cast members.  (Not

Ars Nova presents the world premiere of ‘Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future’

It's 2318 or thereabouts.  The United States is divided into Republics, Mars and the Moon colonized and technology restricted by law.  Despite everything, music survives! - thanks to Rags Parkland (Andrew R. Butler) and his show, Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future.  Rags is appearing nightly thru November 3, 2018 at Ars Nova in this provocative, thoroughly entertaining musical. Developed over an eight-year period at Ars Nova via ANT Fest and workshops, Butler's book, music and lyrics are set in Richmond's Over/Under Club run by saxophonist Gill (Tony Jarvis).  It's a both a return engagement and return to Earth for Rags, back from serving time in

‘Red Emma and the Mad Monk’ at The Tank

Red Emma & The Mad Monk featuring Drita Kabashi as Rasputin, Photo by JJ Darling

Pre-teen Addison (Maybe Burke) likes history.  Specifically, the last Romanovs and their spiritual adviser Gregory "The Mad Monk" Rasputin (Drita Kabashi).  Out of loneliness and passion for a subject most of her peers will most likely never share even if they register Republican, Rasputin is a constant, real, and very funny friend.   Their fantastical relationship with each other and Russian-American activist Emma Goldman (Imani Pearl Williams) is the basis for Alexis Roblan's Red Emma and The Mad Monk.  The entertaining historical musical comedy-fantasy is now at The Tank following its 2017 world premiere at Ars Nova's ANT Fest. Red Emma and The Mad

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