Staff Picks No. 110
The Whole of Time : Romina Paula, Jean Graham-Jones, Tony Torn, Ben Becher, Ana B. Gabriel, Lucas Salvagno, Josefina Scaro, Andromache Chalfant, Rebecca Lord-Surratt, Donald Gallagher, Jay Ryan, jack woods, Dan Safer, Berit Johnson, Ines Braun, Everyman Agency, John David West, Matt Street, Allison Parker, Nora Alexander, Distracted Globe Foundation and Beach, Theresa Buchheister
The Brick Theater
August 22nd-September 20th 2025
Big ol' Bias Alert!
I have personally been invested in helping this show happen at The Brick since I saw a version at The Torn Page a year and a half ago. There is a great deal of magic in this production... from the inspired script that shifts the lens of The Glass Menagerie to focus on the women to the deeply invested team of artists who bring it to life to the spirts that inhabit and haunt (most notably, Frida Kahlo). This show is taking a big leap to have a long run in a bigger space than they were in before. It is a proverbial leap of faith that feels even more vital now than it was when we first started conversations. It is a beautiful piece of art and it also features work from incredible immigrant artists, particularly the absolutely stunning performance of Josefina Scaro.
Hot tip - Go early! Spread the word! Reach out to me if you need help with $.
They are also doing cool events throughout, like an opening night party at Northern Bell and talkbacks with fascinating humans.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Mobile Wash Female Locker Room : Eulàlia Comas, Leah Plante-Wiener
box machine
August 24th-30th 2025
Laia and Leah have been using home space to host bonkers, singular experiences, and this is the next in the programming of that venture, box machine. The first I saw, the venue's premiere, was on the first night of summer: it was so sticky, made worse (better?) by the arrival of a spectral force who had, beforehand, been running through the streets, filmed and presented on the apartment TV. Then the force arrived, and the night somehow got weirder. For the brave of heart and curious of mind: go go go.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
This is not to be missed. If you did not read about Box Machine and what these two are up to… check out my interview with them here. And make sure you RSVP and get into what will surely be a wild and completely unique experience.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Will Stratton, Jessica Risker, Gabriel Birnbaum : <<<
CASSETTE
Thursday August 14th 2025
When I lived in Chicago I was big fan of Jessica Risker’s indie folk project Deadbeat, and now releasing music under her own name, she comes to New York to support her new record “Calendar Year.” Whisper-soft and dreamy, flutes and picked acoustics, brushed snares and a bright sweet sunlight. This is summer Sunday afternoon music. But in a Ridgewood basement on a Thursday night! Gabriel Birnbaum of Wilder Maker, who also have a great new record coming this autumn, opens. Come through!
Staffer: Joshua Dumas
Two Households : Rachel Weekley, RJ Christian, Zeynep Akça, No Exit Theatre Collective
Under St Marks/FRIGID
August 15th-16th 2025
You’ve seen clowns, but you’ve not seen a clown that clown’d until you’ve seen Rachel Weekley clown. No Exit’s production returns after runs at Harrisburg Fringe & ShakesSolo, with bonus tunes from the composer of MORBIN’ TIME: THE MORBIUS PARODY MUSICAL! Make your way to what promises to be a silly, heartfelt, impish time with this reinvention of Shakespeare’s horny teenage bloodbath. Remember readers, gender's a fucking scam.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
Little Katie : Katie Kendrick, Alex Oleksy
The Tank
Sunday August 17th 2025
I have gotten to know this rapscallion of a puppet almost entirely via Instagram stories, and let me tell you, I am in love. Today I watched a video of her being thrown across a room and felt something not far from anguish. She’s a menace. She’s a star. She’s Little Katie.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener