#The Soho Playhouse

[fearsmagazine]

Live Theatre Returns To SoHo Playhouse This April With Todd Robbins’s “Haunt Quest”

SoHo Playhouse (Artistic Director, Darren Lee Cole) is thrilled to announce the return of performer Todd Robbins to our theater with his new immersive experience, Haunt Quest. This will be the first live show staged at SoHo Playhouse since March 2020.

Todd Robbins’s Haunt Quest will open on 23 April 2021 for a limited audience, keeping with New York’s COVID-19 guidelines. This four-week, limited-run production will take place in The Loft space of SoHo Playhouse with five performances every week: Thursday at 8:00 pm; two shows each Friday and Saturday, at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm. The play runs at seventy-five minutes.

While the “ghoulishly charming” Todd Robbins is perhaps most recognizable to New Yorkers as a decades-long sideshow, magic, circus, ragtime piano, traditional jazz, medicine show, and burlesque performer at Coney Island, Robbins also currently hosts the Investigation Discovery Channel series True Nightmares (Los Angeles Times).

The performer also recently starred in the critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway show, Play Dead. Robbins created this “joyous evening of true ghost stories” with legendary Vegas magician Teller (of Penn & Teller fame). The show “played to a sold out run at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.” Robbins also produces New York’s longest-running magic show, Monday Night Magic, and its sister show, Magical Nights at Feinstein’s.

Robbins believes SoHo Playhouse to be the prime venue for his next theatrical venture, Haunt Quest, considering that “the building that houses SoHo Playhouse has been around for about two hundred years.” As such, “many dark events have occurred [at the theater] over the years,” and “many people who had a connection with the building are now dead.”

In his newest work, the Haunt Quest performer will employ “arcane retro-paranormal ghost hunting techniques” intended to “open the souls of the living in order to invite the dead to return.” Robbins reveals that, during this show, “What you will see, you will see with your mind’s eye. What you will hear, you will hear with your inner ear. And when the dead return, you will understand who they are and why they are there.” Robbins also divulges that “each evening’s Haunt Quest will be different and truly unique.”

Tickets ($55) are available for purchase at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35583/production/1043689. Should ticket buyers have questions, they may reach SoHo Playhouse Box Office associates by emailing boxoffice@sohoplayhouse.com.

[emilybettsource]

Only 2 chances left to see Reborning Off-Broadway with @EmilyBett, @paulpiaskowski and @loritriolo ! We close Saturday! Tickets https://t.co/JsgdZVKdsj 👶 #reborning #offbroadway #nyc #theater 📸 @russrowland

— Reality Curve Theatre (@RealityCurve) August 2, 2019

[eloquence-of-felicities]

realitycurve: That’s it that’s all for our Reborning Off-Broadway Indiegogo campaign! We were totally blown away by the overwhelming support! Thank you to everyone that contributed and to everyone that helped spread the word. We’re so excited to jump back into rehearsals and to be able to bring this powerful play to NYC. 🙏

Tickets go on sale May 1st!

@emilybett@paul.piaskowski@loritriolo@sohoplayhouse #theater #nyc #offbroadway #newyork #actors #theatre 📸 @lachlan_and_emily

[iaminmyprime]

Hey if anyone has seen Daniel Sloss’s show in nyc at soho playhouse do you know if he comes out and meets people afterwards?

[hayleysprout13]

A Week At The Theatre | Doctor Faustus*, Help! We Are Still Alive*, Age Is A Feeling*

New reviews! ---> Doctor Faustus*, Help! We Are Still Alive*, Age Is A Feeling*

Quite a varied trip to the theatre this week with a new interpretation of a classic, a charming new musical and a sell out production straight from the Edinburgh Fringe. Doctor Faustus @ Southwark Playhouse*Rating: 3/5Running until: 1st OctoberTicket link: https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-little/doctor-faustus/ A new interpretation of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus has arrived at…

[frontmezzjunkies]

Happy Birthday Doug. Grab a Drink, and Join in with the Festivities!

#frontmezzjunkies reviews: #HappyBirthdayDoug a #newplay written and performed by @drewdroege #DrewDroege directed by #TomDeTrinis @SohoPlayhouse @happybdaydoug @michaelurie #LGBTQ #offbroadway

Drew Droege. Photo by Russ Rowland.

The Review: Happy Birthday Doug at Soho Playhouse

by Ross

It was the perfect way to spend a Valentine’s Day evening. Have a few drinks with a good friend (since I was flying solo this VDay), and show up at Soho Playhouseto see witty and wise writer and performer Drew Droege do that thing that he does so deliciously well. He did his duty in the very engaging and…

[p0litemenace]

Tonight, I had the pleasure of watching A.J. Holmes’ one man show, “Yeah, But Not Right Now” at the SoHo Playhouse, which I can’t recommend more if you’re in the NYC area. Darren Criss opened for him and did a full 18 minute set of shitty street jokes, completely deadpan. It was amazing.

[d-criss-news]

Darren Criss at A.J. Holmes' "Yeah, But Not Right Now" at SoHo Playhouse (9/30/2021)

[caroleditosti]

'Games' by Henry Naylor, Winner of the 2019 Adelaide's Critic Circle Award

‘Games’ by Henry Naylor, Winner of the 2019 Adelaide’s Critic Circle Award

(L to R): Renita Lewis, Lindsay Ryan in ‘Games,’ written by Henry Naylor, directed by Darren Lee Cole (courtesy of the production)

Gamesthe multi-award winning play by Henry Naylor directed by Darren Lee Cole codifies a time in history that resonates with us today. The play exposes the noxious practices of discrimination, racism, injustice and inequity during the backdrop of the 1936 Berlin…

[ozu-teapot]

Films Watched in December 2021

Spencer | Pablo Larraín | 2021

She'll Have to Go | Robert Asher | 1962

Inadmissible Evidence | Anthony Page | 1968

The Tiger Who Came to Tea | Robin Shaw | 2019

Last Night in Soho | Edgar Wright | 2021

Naughty Nurse (Short) | Paul Bartel | 1969

The Killer Wore Gloves | Juan Bosch | 1974

What the Peeper Saw | James Kelley / Andrea Bianchi | 1972

The Secret Cinema | Paul Bartel | 1968

Assault | Sidney Hayers | 1971

In the Earth | Ben Wheatley | 2021

Something Wild | Jonathan Demme | 1986

Death Race 2000 | Paul Bartel | 1975

Qui? (AKA The Sensuous Assassin) | Léonard Keigel | 1970

Nana | Mac Ahlberg | 1970

Joanna | Michael Sarne | 1968

Road to Saint Tropez (Short) | Michael Sarne | 1966

Demons of the Mind | Peter Sykes | 1972

Twisted Nerve | Roy Boulting | 1968

Home Before Midnight | Pete Walker | 1979

Mystery Men | Kinka Usher | 1999

A Chump at Oxford | Alfred J. Goulding | 1939

From Soup to Nuts (Short) | Edgar Kennedy / Leo McCarey | 1928

Another Fine Mess (Short) | James Parrott | 1930

Christmas at Pee-wee's Playhouse | Wayne Orr / Paul Reubens | 1988

Lamb | Valdimar Jóhannsson | 2021

Eyewitness (AKA Sudden Terror) | John Hough | 1970

County Hospital (Short) | James Parrott | 1932

Them Thar Hills (Short) | Charley Rogers | 1934

Tit for Tat (Short) | Charley Rogers | 1935

Perfect Day (Short) | James Parrott | 1929

They Go Boom! (Short) | James Parrott | 1929

Leave 'em Laughing | Clyde Bruckman / Leo McCarey | 1928

Blade Runner 2049 | Denis Villeneuve | 2017

Twinky (AKA London Affair) | Richard Donner | 1970

All Neat in Black Stockings | Christopher Morahan | 1969

Ban the Sadist Videos! | David Gregory | 2005

Witness for the Prosecution | Billy Wilder | 1957

Bold = Top Ten

Some notes: Feeling like I’d had Christmas shoved in my face since mid October (before Halloween which should be against the law actually) I’d decided to eschew any Christmas themed movies for December other than what I might see by chance on TV. After the self imposed genre strictures of Halloween and Noirvember it was quite a random month with a few very good films but some which were not good and sometimes had rather dubious themes and/or execution (but more on that another time).

[emilybettsource]

X

[linmanuelmirandarights]

Ending this week on a really bright note! Getting to see and chat with one of my all time comedy faves was just such a mood lifter. Rhys Nicholson was an absolute delight, and you should definitely go see them during their New York debut! (at SoHo Playhouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci4AbHKOSS5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thesiouxzy]

Saw my fave do his show again tonight (Dave Foley was also with us again) followed by a delicious dinner & drinks. I’m so bad at remembering to take photos but it was a great night with wonderful company. Go see Bruce McCulloch’s Tales of Bravery & Stupidity at the SOHO Playhouse, now through June 12. I laugh every time as if it’s my first. I adore that man! I’m gonna be bummed when his NYC run is over but I’ll see him & other faves in Toronto in a few weeks! 🤞🏼

[tavie]

This show is EVEN BETTER than it was In Toronto! Your socks are going to be knocked off! #BrucioTales #KidsintheHall (at SoHo Playhouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/CePodgyOHzj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hayleysprout13]

A Week At The Theatre | Anyone Can Whistle*, Lava, The 47th, & Juliet.

New post!! —-> A Week At The Theatre | Anyone Can Whistle*, Lava, The 47th, & Juliet.

It has been a while and it has been a BUSY week of theatre for me this week. I really like doing these sort of round up posts but I’ve been incredibly busy with work and trying to find the energy has been hard. However, I managed to see 4 shows this week, all of which I enjoyed and wanted to shout about. Anyone Can Whistle at the Southwark Playhouse*Ticket link:…

[carotidartistry]

COVID and the Arts

The existence of algorithm-driven, non-chronological "timelines" is very bizarre right now. On my Facebook feed, I see posts from March 10 talking about starting the second week of previews or celebrating good box office returns. On March 12, my job ceased to exist, as did the jobs of hundreds upon hundreds of people as an entire industry shuttered over the course of one day.

The cancellations and closing of events and arts/entertainment venues, while important for public health, have left many people (who earn on a gig basis rather than salary) very suddenly and entirely without expected income. There is no work-from-home option, just their job disappearing entirely. Some people will be able to collect unemployment insurance, but many won't even get that, as they work as independent contractors who are paid a fee for work delivered or vend their goods directly to customers at such events.

This is a tough time for arts/events organizations and those who work them (which includes not just artists but all of the ushers, custodians, etc. whose work is tied to the event itself). I'm compiling ways to support those who have been impacted (pass-the-hats for donating to individuals, funds that are accepting donations, ways to purchase people's goods/services, etc.) and resources for those who have been impacted. The industry community is coming together in a heartening way right now, but it would mean a great deal to me if those not in the industry could take a moment to glance through and maybe even to share this information. Even if you can't make any sort of donation yourself, it means something to have this hardship be seen and acknowledged.

Additionally, if you have tickets to events that have been canceled and don't immediately need your funds returned, I encourage you to wait a bit before reaching out to the theater/venue/etc.. Box office workers have been overwhelmed. And particularly if it was a ticket for a non-profit or grassroots organization, if it's possible, I'd encourage people to consider donating the cost of their ticket rather than demanding a refund.

While I'm aware that there are many people in many sectors taking a hit right now, I am putting my focus on where I am and would like to keep that the focus here. Please share any relevant updates, additional resources, etc..

Support Those Who Have Been Impacted

A general pass-the-hat for individual theatre workers (updated daily): I Lost My Theatre Gigs

“The Indie Theater Fund is launching this fundraising campaign to provide direct support and emergency relief to independent theaters and artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” https://www.facebook.com/donate/509591526599992/509604039932074/

NYC Low-Income Artist/Freelancer Relief Fund: "We seek to provide support for low-income, BIPOC, trans/GNC/NB/Queer artists and freelancers whose livelihoods are being effected by this pandemic in NYC. Whether it's from cancelled gigs, lost jobs, or a lack of business due to coronavirus scares, we hope to orchestrate an egalitarian approach to crowdsourcing." [Note: their funding applications are currently closed as they make sure that they have enough resources to cover the 500 people who have already applied.] https://www.gofundme.com/f/nyc-lowincome-artistfreelancer-relief-fund

"The Philadelphia Performing Artists' Emergency Fund was created amid the COVID-19 outbreak to assist performing artists whose income has been impacted by show cancellations, slowing ticket sales, and/or low turnout during this pandemic." https://www.gofundme.com/f/philly-performance-artist-fund

"The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)." https://www.boston.gov/artistrelief

Boston Music Maker Relief Fund: "Small grants of up to $200 will be paid rapidly on a first come, first served basis to affected artists and groups. Please see grant guidelines below. Donations will be accepted from individuals and corporations in order to replenish the fund and continue making payments to eligible music makers in the queue. The Record Co. is covering all admin/processing costs so 100% of every donation goes directly to music makers in the community. Please consider donating using the form below or contact matt@therecordco.org to get involved.": https://www.therecordco.org/relief

Durham Artist Relief Fund: "Funds donated here go directly to artists and arts presenters in Durham who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19, with priority given to to BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists": https://www.northstardurham.com/artistrelief

Emergency Relief Fund for Artists During COVID-19 (Minnesota): https://www.givemn.org/story/Epf3ag

Opera San José Artists and Musicians Relief Fund: “This emergency cash reserve will allow us to provide support to the musicians, singers, carpenters, stitchers, designers and other hourly company members that make our productions possible and who will be deeply affected by COVID-19.”: https://operasj.secure.force.com/donate/?dfId=a0nf400000QZ7hKAAT

A pass the hat for individual SXSW workers: "Update 3/10: We have received over 400 submissions - thank you! We are working diligently to verify each submission and get them posted. As of today, the total amount of reported income lost is $2,108,835. Your stories are heartbreaking but we know them all too well. We appreciate you, we see you, and we love you, Austin. Hang in there." https://www.ilostmygig.com/

2020 ECCC Artists Alley: An unofficial compilation of Eccc2020 artist alley online shops. Browse the goods of artists who won't have the opportunity to sell directly to their anticipated customers: https://ecccartistalley.tumblr.com/

Artists Alley Online:  A directory for some of the artists who would have been at Emerald City Comic Con (March 12-15, 2020) had it not been moved due to the corona virus.  https://artistalleyonline.com/

Shoutout to the theaters who have suspended performances but are still paying their artists in the interim. These have been reported to include: Ars Nova (https://arsnovanyc.com/), Geffen Playhouse (https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/), WP Theater (https://wptheater.org/), Soho Rep (https://sohorep.org/), Playwrights Realm (https://www.playwrightsrealm.org/), New York Theatre Workshop (https://www.nytw.org/), Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (https://www.rattlestick.org/), the McCarter Theatre (https://www.mccarter.org/), Parity Productions (https://www.parityproductions.org/), and Second Stage Theater (https://2st.com/).  (sources: https://twitter.com/diepthought/status/1238194781437734912?s=19, direct email from Second Stage)

More who have been named are the Public Theater (https://publictheater.org/), Transport Group (http://transportgroup.org/), Vineyard Theatre (https://www.vineyardtheatre.org/), and Lincoln Center Theater (https://www.lct.org/). (source: https://twitter.com/westratenick/status/1238847988262453248)

Please consider giving those organizations (and any others who are doing similarly) your support if/when you're able to.

Resources for Impacted Arts/Entertainment/Events Workers

Freelancers & Community Resources 2020: Resources centered for artists and those impacted by gigs being canceled/postponed: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xt1QZlGsyga_HrXagubV9O0rebV5dx4DuMOd2sWvWwc/edit

COVID-19 & Freelance Artist Resources: https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/

NYFA Emergency Resources: "Artists who experience personal hardship or who are impacted by a large-scale disaster, or who need funding for a last-minute opportunity can find critical resources in NYFA's Emergency Resources Directory.": https://www.nyfa.org/Content/Show/Emergency%20Resources

The Indie Theater Fund: "Rapid relief grants of up to $500 will be awarded to support our community, prioritizing the consortium of companies, venues, and individuals working in NYC independent theater (Off-Off-Broadway in theater houses of 99 seats or less), operating with budgets under $250,000. We will award grants on an on-going basis until our funds run out. Grants can be requested via a simple online application and will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis.”  https://forms.gle/pLm7bLhKQE8AbpDn6

Send your information to "I Lost My Theatre Gigs": https://ilostmytheatregigs.squarespace.com/

Philadelphia Performing Artists' Emergency Fund: Emergency Funds can be requested by any Cabaret, Drag, Burlesque, Theater, or performance artists facing a financial hardship caused by COVID-19. Performance artists who need aid can apply here: https://forms.gle/SwsMERPM1CTivFyc7

Boston Artist Relief Fund application: https://cityofbostonartsandculture.submittable.com/submit/af2153eb-2d87-4e9d-9ebc-5861eb135999/boston-artist-relief-fund

Boston Music Maker Relief Fund application: https://therecordco.typeform.com/to/w6wTkF

Durham Artist Relief Fund application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEJKTP91h5e7MuUITHj96J6eKWeZjgVLZjLG4Wp-WMhyQ4mg/viewform

SXSW workers send your information to "I Lost My Gig" here: https://www.ilostmygig.com/