Staff Picks No. 167
Livia: A Roman Tragedy : Paul David Young, Blaize Buazan, Danilo Gambini
The Flea Theater
October 23rd - November 13th, 2026
Writer Paul David Young attacks Trumpism through this new drama that likens today's administration to the Roman Empire. Laser focused on American fragility, Young finds sturdiness in performer Blaize Buazan, who is no stranger to political plays: she was previously in Beauty Freak, which Danilo Gambini also directed. Theirs is a reelected administration worth rooting for.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
The Girl Next Door and other performances : Jacob Buckner, Robin Denzer, Wonderful Cringe
Fort Greene Park
Thursday October 1st, 2026
Wonderful Cringe in a public space is always an immediate yes for me. Who knows what he’ll cook up to terrorize Fort Greene park?
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
MEAT: Zara Roy, Ethan Manuel Homen, Leo James Osborn, Kate Benson, Gilbert Cole, Carolyn Best
The Tank
Thursday October 1st 2026
This absurdist satire on the meatpacking industry (sold already, right?) has one remaining performance on October 1st at The Tank and it seems like a really entertaining, dark evening at the theater. I've seen Zara's work before and she has a wicked sense of humor and impressive conceptual prowess, so I am certain this will be a win. Expect working class longing, expect Lynchian doom, expect greatness! Also, this is a 9:30 pm show, which for me is a perfect time to see a play like this.
Staffer: Alex Aguirre
Crave : Leah Del Rosario, Maggie Hoffman, Jonah O’Hara-David, Julian Rozzell Jr., Alec Duffy, Steven Leffue, Luke Wisniewski, Sara Gierc
East Village Basement
October 9th-24th, 2026
A Kane show stacked with theater legends in the East Village, where experimental NYC theater first flourished? Yes yes yes. This has been one of the productions I've been most excited about this fall, and given the freefall of humanity lately, there's never been a better time to see a Sarah Kane play. Trigger warning: everything... but if you can stomach the world, you can probably stomach this.
Staffer: Alex Aguirre
LBJ: The Play : Sunny Zimmerman, Caitlan Moore, Andrew Barth Feldman, Katie Davis, Soraya Perry, Albert Muzquiz, Arin Edelstein, Robin Margolis, Jonathan Schatzberg, Hannah Bird, Amara Payton McNeil, Max Van, June Buck, Dora Klein, Privy Collective, Honigman & Sons, Cory Epstein, Yoshimi & Sons, Small Boat Productions, Emily Lawrence, Katie Davis, Remy Sadler, Jo Firestone
Paradise Factory
October 9th-October 30th, 2026
Well hoot-the-toot, a classroom presentaroony about good ol' 36, the mightiest Johnsons of Johnsons (Lyndon B). A veritable who's-who of the funny types, the producery types, the designer types, the types that make you pee your pants and go "hmmm. tasteful?" The Paradise Factory calls you like Gillespie County, TX.
Staffer: Reuven Glezer
Matt & Dylan Olympics : Gillian Harrill
Maria Hernandez Park
Sunday October 4th, 2026
Bushwickian Olympics where all competitors must be named Matt or Dylan. There’s a whole lot of you around these parts. I know that for a fact.
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener
Hell in a Cell : Milkmans Molotov, Torrestial, RUGI/RUGZ, Creepie Crawlie, Nuxx, Fortified Structure, Skullfucker, Janedoe, Reagan Holiday, Flyvee, DJ Shiver
ErF
Thursday October 22nd, 2026
Naughty or Noise (Milkmans Molotov and Torrestial) hosts another shadowy night of noise, dance, music, and the erotically gruesome. A great event to kick off your pre-Halloweekend!
Staffer: Leah Plante-Wiener