Staff Picks No. 146
Tapestries : Suzzanne Ponomarenko
Baryshnikov Arts
April 23rd-24th 2026
I saw a preview of this contemporary ballet earlier this year, and was totally swept up. It's gay (meaning happy) and exuberant, the dancer wear these fabulous bright pastel costumes. It is a perfect invitation for that friend who "has been meaning to see more dance"
Staffer: Travis Amiel
*Note from the editor - This came in after I posted last week! Gah! But I still wanted to put it up, even though it is over, because it was a Pick!
The Life and Times of Daisy Forbes : Scout Davis
La MaMa
May 21st-24th 2026
A show girl, a lip sync, a fork in the road: a combination of ingredients that makes me think of a tart pie, and I do love a tart pie. Scout is a conjurer, and in this performance they bring in a medley of content (trashy pop, obscure musicals) to reveal one showgirl's uncertain future.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Ukrainian Drama Showcase : Razom for Ukraine, split/decision, Lena Lagushonkova, Nina Murray, Jillian Jetton, Rory Pelsue, Serhiy Zhadan, Danilo Gambini, Alina Sarnatska, John Freedman, S. Dylan Zwickel, Oleksandr Zhuhan, Nataliia Bratus, Yibin Wang, Anna Halas, Lita Lofton
Flamboyan Theater
May 7th-10th 2026
A really rare chance to see classic & contemporary Ukrainian drama in the flesh at a historic and important Lower East Side venue! And a real starry mesh of casts, directors, plays and playwrights. Not-to-miss for a pick-and-mix!
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
Look At Me: Women Matter : Gus Laughlin, Rachel Horwitz, Chloe Troast, Tessa Belle, Indigo Asim
LifeWorld
Saturday May 16th 2026
Did you know? That women matter? Gus Laughlin wants you to know. Gus Laughlin’s going to show you. He’s going to “SOLVE WOMEN ISSUES WITH [his] BRAND NEW MULTIMEDIA ART ACTIVISM EXHIBITION.” As a woman of womanly experience, I say: thank you, Gus Laughlin. It’s time someone did it.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
Wild Works: Puppetry on the Edge : Amanda Card, Tristan Allen, Maiko Kikuchi, Marcella Murray, Purser
Wild Project
Wednesday May 6th 2026
SAY IT WITH ME NOW: 2026 IS THE YEAR OF! THE! PUPPET! This is the debut of Wild Project curator-in-residence Amanda Card’s new puppet performance series, highlighting work that “explores the emotional and imaginative power of the animated.” I believe it! Few modes of performance make me cry as consistently as puppetry.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
I hope that the year of the puppet gets an extension. This is such a great line-up! Puppets 4ever!
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Being Moved : Maia Chao, Lena Engelstein
Whitney Museum
May 14th-17th 2026
If you caught "American Idle" last summer, you know that Maia and Lena beautifully translate the humor, beauty, and grossness of pedestrian choreography into a mirror to reflect back to we plebs. While that piece was concerned with how people navigate Times Square, their new one looks at how people move through glitzy galleries. Ellen Maddow and Paul Zimet are in the cast, and I can't wait to see how they negotiate looking for benches and gawk at art, just like I do when at the Whitney.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
I hear this is sold out, which makes sense. Turns out. people like experimental dance performance. TOLD YOU SO. But, try to get in. Worth it.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Have You Ever Thought About : Michael Oluokun, Andrew Scoville
The Bushwick Starr
April 29th-May 16th 2026
Andrew Scoville previously directed a space robot play at the old Bushwick Starr, and now he leads a mad scientist. I'm always curious what he's cooking up, and Michael Olukun's experiments seem to concern how we think. Well, that's been on the mind lately, and with interactive fun, it looks like he wants to reorient our thinking toward a state of connection. Good by me!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Memory Generation : Sara Zatz, Sherrine Azab, Andrew Morton, Manny Dunn, Kirya Traber, Aaron Landsman, Tamar Rogoff, Pink Fang
La MaMa
May 2nd-10th 2026
You should definitely get on the mailing list for Pink Fang, first and foremost. They have some great stuff going on. This piece is experiential, interactive and revolves around dementia. Memory and memory loss have always been shaping my reality and will relish the stories that people tell me of their time attending Memory Generation.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
The Genocide Tour : Noah Crandell, Molly Shayna Cohen
3AM Theatre
Saturday May 9th 2026
A new generation of Jewish artists are trying to consider what makes our identities and how we confront of relationship to one of the worst acts against humanity in the ongoing world. I think this will be something special. Astoria awaits.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
leah plante-wiener & leigh honigman present (ii) : laialeah (Laia Comas & Leah Plante-Wiener), Leigh Honigman, Eka Savajol, Isa Nicdao, J**** S****, Shiloh Blue
Box of Moonlight
Thursday May 14th 2026
Leah & Leigh did this shindig back at Target Margin and they are doing it ONCE MORE at Box of Moonlight, presenting 5 banger artists doing cool shit. Last time there was a car involved. And pickle juice? And Crackhead Barney showed up. It’s like a post-Interrobang Interrobang for the noise-theater crowd. Does that make sense? I hope they keep doing this with even more chaotic surprises.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
This is the type of show for which Staff Picks was mythologically birthed. I am compelled to Pick it by a force beyond my understanding. But be careful on those stairs at Box of Moonlight…
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
One Trick Live : Mark Clearview, Alex Offenkrantz, Dan Winter, Nadav Roet, Chris Mayhew
Arlo Williamsburg
Saturday May 2nd 2026
Five magicians perform their best trick. One night only (on a monthly basis with new folks). I finally get to recommend some magic on this platform! Woo! Go go go. Caveat: it's a wee bit pricier than our usual offerings but I am confident you'll have a great time.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
My dear favorite showman, Alex Offenkrantz, is one of the magicians! He has made tricks for me for my birthday and did his incredible show at The Brick. I have a deck from that show. Anyway. If you can swing the $, go for it! It will be a special, unforgettable night!
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Cycling : Lena Deutz
Otion Front Studio
Thursday April 30th 2026
I’m here to spread the word about Otion Front Studio, because not enough people are talking about her to my liking. The studio is housed in what can best be described as a freestanding XXL garden shed, tucked away in a courtyard lush with vines, sheltered from the hubbub of Myrtle Broadway by a winding journey through vertiginous stairs and halogen lights. What a delight it was to recently discover that I am neighbours with this charmingly inconspicuous venue.
For one night only, Otion artist-in-residence and Momenta co-founder Lena Deutz premieres Cycling, the culmination of their time in the space. The vibes are somewhere between Jennifer’s Body and a middle school Quizlet on the water cycle. I’m intrigued!
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
*Editor’s note again - Posting one day late for this, but you should know about this space and this artist!
Secret Night Garden : Lauren Bakst & Kris Lee, Lysis, Myssi Robinson
Danspace Project
Saturday May 2nd 2026
“A secret evening, a surprise, a garden at night.” A spontaneous shared evening of performance. I’m entranced.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
Stage Dive : Who knows!
Triskelion Arts
May 12th and June 2nd (Tuesdays) 2026
An open mic but for movers? Sounds like this gets rid of the worst part of open mics (bad jokes) and leaves room for the best parts (confounding spontaneity). Very very cool concept indeed at a very very cool spot.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Team Building : Abby Lloyd, Amando Houser, Branden Mayeri, Cecilia Corrigan, Gigi Del Rosario, Anton Spivack, Allison Brooks, Jordan Coley, Tura Oliveira, Gabe Gordon, Allison Brainard, Maxwell Cramer, Suz Murray
The Gallery
Saturday May 2nd 2026
Gonzo lineup in newly opened venue The Gallery, which is apparently run by a German man named Florian. Florian’s not around, though— he’s hired Chris Carroll for that.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
landlesscapes : John King, Gelsey Bell
The Stone
Saturday May 9th 2026
Gelsey Bell performs John King's new monodrama at John Zorn's venue for one night only (5/9). Need I say more?
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
EMRUZ : Sirvan Manhoobi, Roxana Sarrafi, Mehrpouya Daneshvar, Khaled Hosseini, Hamidreza Maleki, Behfar Bahadoran, Parisa Karimi, PRETTY CRIME, Humaira Ghilzai, Awesta Zarif, Sophia Tarin, Didem Ruhi Karci, Talha Karci, Bazeed, Waseem Alzer, Mette Loulou Von Kohl, Lour Yasin, Niayesh Javaheri, Bahram Beyzaie, Nikta Sabouri, Dario Ladani Sanchez, Abraham Makani
Brooklyn Art Haus
May 1st-3rd 2026
This festival featuring artists of Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian, and North African descent has everything - music, theater, storytelling, poetry… a choreopoem by Bazeed! Absolutely get out to all of these nights.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister