News Ticker

The 36th Street Theatre

The Jester’s Wife

September 27, 2023

"The Jester’s Wife," written and directed by T.J. Elliott, is a fanciful attempt at reconstructing the source of the myth of Dymphna, a legendary medieval Irish saint who is considered the patron saint of mental illness. In telling the tale's origins, two characters create the framework what is to become the myth, and the third offers editorial commentary on their effort. While it is an intriguing idea to show how legendary myths were often created, this show does not measure up. The primary issue is the lack of a compelling interaction between the Jester and his Wife, leading to the creation of the story of Saint Dymphna. [more]

Hidden

May 18, 2023

The play is structured as a mystery and that is being revealed with sensitivity and care. As each element is shown, a clearer picture of what is at stake emerges. A discussion in Act II about Hannah Arendt's work "Eichmann in Jerusalem, A Report on the Banality of Evil" triggers a conversation on the meaning of evil. This discussion of the idea of the banality of evil is the thought-provoking idea being acted out in the play: How does one judge what is truly good and what is truly evil? [more]

Darkness of Light: Confessions of a Russian Traveler

April 5, 2023

"Darkness of Light: Confessions of a Russian Traveler," written and directed by Michael Mailer and Alexander Kaletski, is a story of an artist's journey from the restrictions of one political and economic system to the compromises needed in a more open and accepting system. It explores how a Russian artist, Nikolai Rodnin (Jonathan Glass), tries to hold onto the truth of his artistic expression while dealing with the material needs for survival. An important, subtle, and contrasting story is that of his brother Sergei Rodnin (Alex Yuille). [more]