Soho Repertory Theatre

FormationJune 1, 1975 (1975-06-01)
TypeTheatre group
PurposeAvant-garde theatre[1]
Location
  • 46 Walker Street, New York, NY 10013
Membership--Directors--
Cynthia Flowers
Caleb Hammons
Eric Ting[2]
Websitesohorep.org

The Soho Repertory Theatre, known as Soho Rep,[3] is an American Off-Broadway theater company based in New York City which is notable for producing avant-garde plays by contemporary writers.[1][4][5][6] The company, described as a "cultural pillar", is currently located in a 65-seat theatre in the TriBeCa section of lower Manhattan.[7] The company, and the projects it has produced, have won multiple prizes and earned critical acclaim, including numerous Obie Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Drama Critics' Circle Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize.[8] A recent highlight was winning the Drama Desk Award for Sustained Achievement for "nearly four decades of artistic distinction, innovative production, and provocative play selection."[9][10][11]

Notable artists who have recently created work at the theater, often early in their careers, include: David Adjmi, César Alvarez, Annie Baker, Alice Birch, Christopher Chen, Jackie Sibblies Drury, debbie tucker green, Aleshea Harris, Lucas Hnath, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Daniel Alexander Jones, Young Jean Lee, Richard Maxwell, Nature Theater of Oklahoma and Anne Washburn.

The New York Times has described it as a "safer home for dangerous plays".[12] Critics note the “jaw dropping premieres” and “big plays in a small room”[13] as defining features of the theater’s programming. New Yorker theatre critic Hilton Als wrote about current director Sarah Benson:

Under her directorship I have never seen a boring production—a very rare thing, indeed. Her deeply individual sensibility is not compromised by needs other than those of the work at hand, and it’s that freedom, structured around shows that I may not agree with but always learn from, that distinguishes the SoHo Rep... Benson has imbued each work with a tough, unsentimental core; she’s also made the plays into distinct visual works that help us see the words.

— Hilton Als in The New Yorker[14]

In 2019 the company adopted a shared leadership model.[15] The three Directors of the theater of the company Sarah Benson, Cynthia Flowers, and Meropi Peponides led the theater until Benson and Peponides' departure in 2023.

In 2023, Caleb Hammons and Eric Ting joined Cynthia Flowers as co-directors of the theater.[2]

The company has an annual budget of around $2 million and employs a full-time staff of seven. In 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company put eight artists on salary for the 2020-21 season through the creation of a job creation program titled Project Number One referencing Federal Project Number One.[16][17]

History

Soho Rep is a favorite venue to launch experimental new plays. Photo: New Jersey-born playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury.

The Soho Repertory Theatre company was founded in 1975 by Jerry Engelbach and Marlene Swartz.[18] From June through September 1975, they remodeled a former textile factory in SoHo. They wanted the space to feel "light and informal" so the audience would feel comfortable.[19] They produced their first play, Maxwell Anderson's Key Largo, on September 25. Their initial focus was on rarely seen classical plays, such as works by Aristophanes, Shakespeare, Molière, Jean Anouilh, Michel de Ghelderode, Eugene O'Neill and Samuel Beckett.[18][20] By 1979, the company was sometimes producing two shows per night, allowing audiences to see both plays in succession on a Saturday night.[18] The founding duo produced more than a hundred plays until Engelbach left in 1989.[21]

Since its early days, the company's focus has shifted to contemporary avant-garde theatrical works. In 1981, after producing works from Shakespeare to Shaw, the company produced its first new play: Stephen Davis Parks' The Idol Makers.[22] Among the many new works presented were plays by Americans Len Jenkin and Mac Wellman.

After 1989, Swartz partnered with English director Julian Webber, and they worked together for the next decade until Swartz departed in 1999.[23] The company was run by Artistic Director Daniel Aukin from 1998 to 2006, and he produced new work by artists including Adam Bock, Young Jean Lee, Richard Maxwell, Melissa James Gibson, and María Irene Fornés.

Sarah Benson was appointed as Artistic Director in 2007. Around this time, the company transitioned from the smaller Off-off-Broadway model of less than 100 seats to an Off-Broadway contract, typically reserved for theatres with a 100-499 seat capacity.[24]

Benson and Flowers ran the theater together from 2012 until being joined by Producer Meropi Peponides in 2014.[25] In the last decade the company has taken on ambitious projects often winning awards and critical acclaim.[26][27][28][29] One of Benson's first plays was writer Sarah Kane’s Blasted[30][31][32] which won the director an Obie Award.[26][33] Benson's production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon won an Obie for Best New American Play and transferred to Theatre for a New Audience.[34] Taibi Magar's production of Aleshea Harris' 'Is God Is' re-opened Walkerspace in 2018 following renovations and won multiple Obie awards.[35] Benson directed Jackie Sibblies Drury's 'Fairview' which won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and had an extended run. The company celebrates with an annual gala usually in the spring, sometimes on a rooftop.[36][37][38]

Performance spaces

During the forty-five years of its existence, the theatre has produced in several venues in lower Manhattan, often being forced to move because of issues with rent or city building requirements, and survived from time to time with help from city authorities and supporters.[39] Its first space in 1975 on 19 Mercer Street was in a converted hat warehouse, described by the founders as a "practical adaptation of the Shakespearean playhouse laid out in a modest modern space".[18][40][41][42] In 1985, Bob Moss of Playwrights Horizons, assisted by the mayor's office and a grant from the Manhattan Borough President, helped them relocate to a 100-seat neo-classical theater attached to Bellevue Hospital.[43] While the theatre had a separate entrance from the psychiatric hospital, sometimes backstage their actors and writers rode the same elevator with patients, recalled playwright Mac Wellman.[44] After a year they moved to Greenwich Village, and stayed there until 1991,[45] when they found their present-day space at 46 Walker Street in Tribeca. Dubbed Walkerspace, the present theatre is only a few blocks from the company's original venue.[46] The company has been at this location except for a short period for building renovations, which had been paid for with a fundraising campaign as well as help from the city's building commissioner, Rick Chandler and Julie Menin.[47][7] In July 2024, Soho Rep announced it would be leaving its longtime home of Walkerspace, citing rising rent costs, lack of accessibility, and the costs of persistent repairs. The company will share space with Playwrights Horizons as it considers long-term plans.[48]

Staff

  • Marlene Swartz, Co-Artistic Director (1975–1995)[18]
  • Jerry Engelbach, Co-Artistic Director (1975–1989)[18]
  • Julian Webber, Co-Artistic Director (1990–1998)[49]
  • Daniel Aukin, Artistic Director (1998–2006)[50][51]
  • Sarah Benson,
    • Artistic Director (2007–2019)
    • Director (2019-2023)[24][52]
  • Meropi Peponides
    • Producer (2014–2019)
    • Director (2019-2023)
  • Cynthia Flowers
    • Executive Director (2012–2019)
    • Director (2019-present)
  • Caleb Hammons
    • Producer (2011–2013)
    • Director (2023-present)
  • Eric Ting
    • Director (2023-present)

Since 2019, Soho Rep has used a shared leadership model.

Dramatic productions

Season Title Playwright Director Awards Producing Partners
1975–76

(Season 1)

19 Mercer Street
Key Largo[20] Maxwell Anderson Jerry Engelbach
The Master Builder[53] Henrik Ibsen Marlene Swartz
Coriolanus William Shakespeare Jerry Engelbach
The Congresswomen Aristophanes, translation and music by William and Billie Snow Marlene Swartz
The Infernal Machine Jean Cocteau Michael Wright
Anna Christie[54] Eugene O'Neill Marlene Swartz
Heartbreak House[54] George Bernard Shaw Jerry Engelbach
The Father[54] August Strindberg, adapted by Jonathan Furst Jonathan Furst
Abelard and Eloise[55] Ronald Duncan Charles Conwell
The Imaginary Invalid[56] Molière, translation by Frances Kosbab Marlene Swartz
Bimbos in Paradise[57] B. Prune Michael Wright
Private Lives[58] Noël Coward Jack H. Cunningham
Candida[58] George Bernard Shaw Jerry Engelbach
1976–77

(Season 2)

Six Play Subscription Costs $12
The Birthday Party[59] Harold Pinter Marlene Swartz
Dracula[60] Bram Stoker, adapted by Jerry Engelbach Jerry Engelbach
Faustus X Seven Based on "Doctor Faustus," by Christopher Marlowe, adapted by Jerry Engelbach Carol Corwen and Jerry Engelbach
The Merchant of Venice[54] William Shakespeare Marlene Swartz
Billy Liar[61] Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall Jerry Engelbach
Uncle Vanya[62] Anton Chekhov, adapted by Marlene Swartz Marlene Swartz
Spring's Awakening[62] Frank Wedekind, adapted by Carol Corwen and Mary Eileen O'Donnell Carol Corwen
Back to Methuselah[62] George Bernard Shaw Stephen R. Lieb
What the Butler Saw[63] Joe Orton Marlene Swartz
The Dock Brief[54] John Mortimer Steven Burch
The Public Eye[54] Peter Shaffer Stephen R. Lieb
Black Comedy[62] Peter Shaffer Frank Cento
Under Milk Wood[62] Dylan Thomas Harrison Ewing
July 2 and Thanksgiving Stan Kaplan Jerry Engelbach
Rain John Colton and Clemence Randolph, based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham Jack H. Cunningham
Ghosts Henrik Ibsen Marlene Swartz
1977–78

(Season 3)

Misalliance George Bernard Shaw Trueman Kelley
The Miser Molière Moshe Yassur
Peer Gynt Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Carol Corwen Carol Corwen
The Chairs Eugène Ionesco Jon Fraser
Better Dead Georges Feydeau, adapted by Jude Schanzer and Michael Wells Jude Schanzer
Cyrano DeBergerac Edmond Rostand Jerry Engelbach
Poe in Person, one-man show Conrad Pomerleau Conrad Pomerleau
Traveler Without Luggage Jean Anouih Marlene Swartz
The Play's the Thing Ferenc Molnár Jack H. Cunningham
Mister T Michael Zettler Stephen Zuckerman
The Killing of Sister George Frank Marcus Marlene Swartz
The Magistrate Arthur Wing Pinero Jim Milton
The Four Little Girls Pablo Picasso Richard Gershman
The Soho Theatre of the Air, an evening of vintage radio plays Conceived and Adapted by Carol Corwen Carol Corwen
The Real Inspector Hound Tom Stoppard Timothy Brennan
Philadelphia, Here I Come! Brian Friel Ron Daley
1978–79

(Season 4)

One Act Festival Opened Jan 5th, 1979. Cost: $10 for Festival Pass; $3 per show.
Overruled! George Bernard Shaw Gene Santarelli Villager Downtown Theatre Award for a commitment to the presentation of a program of short plays
The Love of Don Perimplin and Belisa in the Garden Federico García Lorca Mary Ryder
Only 10 Minutes to Buffalo Gunter Grass Alison Mackenzie
Guernica Fernando Arrabal Mitchell Engelmeyer
Action Sam Shepard Chris Silva
Deathwatch Jean Genet Denise Merat
If You Had Three Husbands Gertrude Stein, adapted by Randy Knolle Randy Knolle
The Twelve-Pound Look J. M. Barrie Alison Mackenzie
Richard III William Shakespeare Jerry Engelbach
Miss Jairus Michel DeGhelderode Carol Corwen
Dandy Dick Arthur Wing Pinero Gene Santarelli
Inadmissible Evidence John Osborne Marlene Swartz
The Knights of the Round Table Jean Cocteau Jerry Engelbach
Amphitryon 38 Jean Giraudoux Jude Schanzer
The Servant Robin Maugham Marlene Swartz
Fallen Angels Noël Coward Trueman Kelley
October 12, 410 B.C. (Thesmophoriazusae) Aristophanes Alison Mackenzie
Requiem for a Heavyweight Rod Serling Richard Leighton
1979–80

(Season 5)

The Insect Comedy Karel & Joseph Čapek Trueman Kelley
The Cannibals George Tabori Carol Corwen
The Barber of Seville Pierre Beaumarchais Alison Mackenzie
We Have Always Lived in the Castle Hugh Wheeler, from the book by Shirley Jackson Gene Santarelli
The Silver Tassie Séan O'Casey Carey Perloff
Twelfth Night William Shakespeare Stephen Brant
The Second Man S. N. Behrman Jude Schanzer
Feathertop From a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, adapted by Truman Kelley Trueman Kelley
The Ugly Duckling A. A. Milne Trueman Kelley
Brewsie and Willie Gertrude Stein Michael Bloom
Homefires John Guare Michael Bloom
Fairy Tales of New York J. P. Donleavy Jerry Engelbach
The Caretaker Harold Pinter Marlene Swartz
The Gamblers Nikolai Gogol Penelope Hirsch
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats T. S. Eliot, adapted for the stage by Jonathan Foster, music by Elyse Goodwin Jonathan Foster
The Tricycle Fernando Arrabal N/A
The Party Sławomir Mrożek N/A
1980–81

(Season 6)

Desire Caught by the Tail Pablo Picasso Jonathan Foster
The Idol Makers Stephen Davis Parks Marlene Swartz "Villager Downtown Theatre Award" for Directing
The Streets of New York, also known as The Poor of New York Dion Boucicault Trueman Kelley
Dark Ride Len Jenkin Len Jenkin
Love in the Country Book and lyrics by Michael Alfreds, music by Anthony Bowles Anthony Bowles
The Doctor and the Devils Dylan Thomas Carol Corwen
Old Times Harold Pinter Jerry Engelbach
1981–82

(Season 7)

The Girl Who Ate Chicken Bones Book by Stan Kaplan, music by David Hollister, lyrics by Stan Kaplan and David Hollister Marlene Swartz
One-Act Operas:
  • The Audience
  • Mr. Lion
  • Miyako
 Libretto by Glenn Miller, music by Royce Dembo Scott Clugstone Golden Fleece Ltd.
Music and libretto by Linder Chlarson Lou Rodgers
Lou Rodgers Lou Rodgers
Nathan the Wise Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Jerry Engelbach
Subject to Fits Robert Montgomery, based on Dostoevsky's The Idiot Barry Koron
Barbarians Barrie Keeffe Peter Byrne Featured Kevin Spacey
1982–83

(Season 8)

Fanshen David Hare Michael Bloom
The Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great Henry Fielding, music by Anthony Bowles Anthony Bowles
Kid Twist Len Jenkin Tony Barsha
Rape Upon Rape Henry Fielding Anthony Bowles
1983–84

(Season 9)

Under the Gaslight Augustin Daly Stephen Wyman
Mandrake Book and lyrics by Michael Alfreds, music by Anthony Bowles Anthony Bowles
Catchpenny Twist Stewart Parker, music by Shaun Davey Marlene Swartz
The Wood Painting Ingmar Bergman Alan Wynroth
Yes is for a Very Young Man Gertrude Stein Robert P. Barron
The Business of Good Government John Arden Jerry Engelbach
Bertha, Queen of Norway Kenneth Koch Steven Brant
George Washington Crosses the Delaware Kenneth Koch Steven Brant
The Dwarfs Harold Pinter Jerry Engelbach
Lenz Mike Stott, based on a fragment by Georg Büchner N/A
1984–85

(Season 10)

Theater moves to Bellevue Hospital in January 1985
The Crimes of Vautrin Nicholas Wright, based on the novel by Honoré de Balzac: Splendeurs et Miseresdes Courtisanes Carol Corwen
Energumen Mac Wellman Rebecca Harrison
Almos' A Man Paris Barclay, based on Richard Wright's short story, The Man Who Was Almost a Man Tazewell Thompson
The Winter's Tale William Shakespeare Anthony Bowles
1985–86

(Season 11)

Theater moves to Greenwich House, 27 Barrow Street
The Two Orphans Cormon and D'Ennery (Les deux orphelines), original music by Marshall Coid Julian Webber
One Fine Day Nicholas Wright Tazewell Thompson
The Grub Street Opera Henry Fielding, new music by Anthony Bowles Anthony Bowles
1986–87

(Season 12)

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists Stephen Lowe Julian Webber
Sergeant Ola and his Followers David Lan Tazewell Thompson
The Mock Doctor Henry Fielding, music by Anthony Bowles Anthony Bowles
Eurydice Henry Fielding, music by Anthony Bowles Anthony Bowles
1987–88

(Season 13)

The Racket Bartlett Cormack Michael Bloom
The Girl of the Golden West David Belasco Julian Webber
A Cup of Coffee Preston Sturges Larry Carpenter
1988–89

(Season 14)

The Blitzstein Project Marc Blitzstein Carol Corwen
The Phantom Lady Pedro Calderón de la Barca, translated by Edwin Honig Julian Webber
The Cezanne Syndrome Normand Canac-Marquis, translated by Louison Denis N/A
1989–90

(Season 15)

Limbo Tales Len Jenkin Thomas Babe
American Bagpipes Iain Heggie Julian Webber
1990–91

(Season 16)

Theater is established at 46 Walker Street

Julian Webber is hired as Co-Artistic Director (with Marlene Swartz)

Native Speech Eric Overmyer John Pynchon Holms
Yokohama Duty Quincy Long Julian Webber
Two Gentlemen of Verona William Shakespeare, adapted by Mark Milbauer and David Becker Mark Milbauer and David Becker Cucaracha Theater
Hanging the President Michele Celeste
1991–92

(Season 17)

7 Blowjobs Mac Wellman Jim Simpson
Tone Clusters Joyce Carol Oates Julian Webber
1992–93

(Season 18)

Three Americanisms Mac Wellman Jim Simpson
Cross Dressing in the Depression Erin Cressida Wilson
Mormons in Malibu Wendy Hammond
1993–94

(Season 19)

David's Red-Haired Death Sherry Kramer
Terminal Hip Mac Wellman
Careless Love Len Jenkin
Dracula Mac Wellman Julian Webber featured Tim Blake Nelson
Hollywood Hustle written and performed by Jeremiah Bosgang Rob Greenberg
Exchange Yuri Trifonov, translated and adapted by Michael Frayn Peter Westerhoff
Swoop Mac Wellman Julian Webber
Women Behind Bars Tom Eyen
1994–95

(Season 20)

The House of Yes Wendy MacLeod
Skin Naomi Iizuka
Frank, Frank
Titus Andronicus William Shakespeare Lester Shane
Measure for Measure William Shakespeare Jared Hammond
1995–96

(Season 21)

Dark Ride (revival of 1981 production) Len Jenkin Julian Webber
Wally's Ghost Ain Gordon OBIE, Playwriting
1997–98

(Season 23)

A Devil Inside David Lindsay-Abaire Julian Webber
Fnu Lnu Mac Wellman, original music by David Van Tieghem Julian Webber
How to Write While You Sleep[64] Madeleine Olnek Lisa Portes
1998–99

(Season 24)

Cowboys and Indians Richard Maxwell and Jim Strahs Richard Maxwell
Quartet Heiner Müller
The Escapist The Flying Machine
Alice's Evidence Ellen Beckerman
1999–2000

(Season 25)

R&D: Research & Development new work development series featuring Mac Wellman, Richard Maxwell, and Maria Shron
The Year of the Baby Quincy Long, composed by Maury Loeb, based on a play by Stephen Foster Daniel Aukin
Hypatia Mac Wellman Bob McGrath
2000–01

(Season 26)

Cat's-Paw Mac Wellman Daniel Aukin
Caveman Richard Maxwell Richard Maxwell
Boxing 2000 Richard Maxwell
2001–02

(Season 27)

[sic] Melissa James Gibson Daniel Aukin OBIE, Playwriting

OBIE, Special Citation, Direction

OBIE, Special Citation, Set Design

Attempts On Her Life Martin Crimp Steve Cosson
2002–03

(Season 28)

Signals of Distress created and performed by members of the Flying Machine; adapted by Joshua Carlebach from the novel by Jim Crace Joshua Carlebach
Molly's Dream María Irene Fornés Daniel Aukin OBIE, Special Citation
2003–04

(Season 29)

Suitcase, or Those That Resemble

Flies from a Distance

Melissa James Gibson Daniel Aukin True Love Productions
The Appeal Young Jean Lee Young Jean Lee
2004–05

(Season 30)

Everything Will Be Different (later retitled A Brief History of Helen of Troy) Mark Schultz Daniel Aukin
Frankenstein adapted by Joshua Carlebach from the novel by Mary Shelley Joshua Carlebach
2005–06

(Season 31)

Not Clown Carlos Treviño and Steve Moore Carlos Treviño
Peninsula Madelyn Kent Madelyn Kent
2006–07

(Season 32)

Thugs Adam Bock Anne Kauffman OBIE, Playwriting

OBIE, Ross Wetzsteon Award

2007–08

(Season 33)

Sarah Benson begins tenure as Artistic Director

Soho Rep. begins producing under Off-Broadway Equity Contract

Philoktetes John Jesurun, adapted from Sophocles' original John Jesurun
No Dice Nature Theater of Oklahoma OBIE, Special Citation
2008–09

(Season 34)

Blasted Sarah Kane Sarah Benson OBIE, Special Citation, Direction[14][65][66]

OBIE, Special Citation, Set Design, Drama Desk nomination

Sixty Miles to Silver Lake Dan LeFranc Anne Kauffman New York Times Outstanding

Playwright Award

Rambo Solo conceived by Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper in conversation with Zachary Oberzan Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper Nature Theater of Oklahoma
2009–10

(Season 35)

Lear Young Jean Lee, adapted from King Lear by William Shakespeare, choreographed by Dean Moss Young Jean Lee
The Truth: A Tragedy written, composed, and performed by Cynthia Hopkins DJ Mendel
2010–11

(Season 36)

Orange, Hat & Grace Gregory Moss Sarah Benson
Jomama Jones * Radiate performed by Daniel Alexander Jones, music direction by Bobby Halvorson Kym Moore
born bad debbie tucker green Leah C. Gardiner OBIE, Special Citation, Playwriting

OBIE, Special Citation, Directing

2011–12

(Season 37)

Elective Affinities David Adjmi Sarah Benson[14][67][68] Featured Zoe Caldwell Piece by Piece Productions

and Rising Phoenix Repertory

The Ugly One Marius von Mayenburg Daniel Aukin The Play Company, John

Adrian Selzer

Uncle Vanya Annie Baker, adapted from Anton Chekhov's original Sam Gold John Adrian Selzer
2012–13

(Season 38)

We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika Between the Years 1884–1915 Jackie Sibblies Drury Eric Ting OBIE, Direction John Adrian Selzer
Life and Times, Episodes 1–4 conceived by Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper in conversation with Kristin Worrall Pavol Liska and Kelly

Copper

OBIE, Special Citation Nature Theater of Oklahoma,

Burgtheater in Vienna, The

Public Theater, John Adrian

Selzer

A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney Lucas Hnath Sarah Benson OBIE, Performance (Larry Pine)[14][68] John Adrian Selzer
2013–14

(Season 39)

Marie Antionette David Adjmi Rebecca Taichman John Adrian Selzer, American

Repertory Theater, Yale

Repertory Theater

An Octoroon Branden Jacobs-Jenkins; songs, score, and

musical direction by César Alvarez, choreography

by David Neumann

Sarah Benson OBIE, Performance (Chris Myers)[69][70]

OBIE, Best New American Play[68]

John Adrian Selzer
2014–15

(Season 40)

generations debbie tucker green Leah C. Gardiner The Play Company, John

Adrian Selzer

Winners and Losers created and performed by Marcus Youssef and James Long Chris Abraham
10 out of 12 Anne Washburn Les Waters John Adrian Selzer
2015–16

(Season 41)

FUTURITY lyrics and book by César Alvarez, music by César Alvarez with The Lisps Sarah Benson Lortel Award, Outstanding Musical[71][72][73] Carole Shorenstein Hays,

Ars Nova

Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. Alice Birch Lileana Blain-Cruz John Adrian Selzer
2016–17

(Season 42)

Duat Daniel Alexander Jones, with new music by Samora Pinderhughes, Bobby Halvorson, and Jomama Jones Will Davis
[untitled new play] Jackie Sibblies Drury Sarah Benson
In The Blood Suzan-Lori Parks Sarah Benson [68][74]
Samara Richard Maxwell, with original music by Steve Earle Sarah Benson [68] John Adrian Selzer
2017–18

(Season 43)

Is God Is Aleshea Harris Taibi Magar American Playwriting Foundation Relentless Award 2016
[studio] Alice Birch, Narcissister, Carmelita Tropicana and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Kate Tarker, Becca Blackwell
Fairview Jackie Sibblies Drury Sarah Benson Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2019; Drama Desk nomination[75][76][77][78][79]
2018–19

(Season 44)

Thunderbodies Kate Tarker Lileana Blain-Cruz
Passage Christopher Chen Saheem Ali
2019–20

(Season 45)

for all the women who thought they were Mad Zawe Ashton Whitney White
2021–22

(Season 46)

while you were partying
Wolf Play Hansol Jung Dustin Wills
Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members Mara Vélez Meléndez David Mendizábal
2022–23

(Season 47)

Montag Kate Tarker, with original music by Daniel Schlossberg Dustin Wills

References

  1. ^ a b [1] Lefkowitz, David. Simonson, Robert. "Flying Distress Doesn't Hinder Flying Machine's Distress at Soho Rep". Playbill. September 30, 2001
  2. ^ a b Sarah Bahr (July 27, 2023). "At Soho Rep, Eric Ting and Caleb Hammons to Join Leadership Team". New York Times. Retrieved August 4, 2024. ...Following the departures of Sarah Benson and Meropi Peponides, the two will join Cynthia Flowers as the company continues its shared leadership model.....
  3. ^ The official website's "About" page now use "Soho", with a lowercase h, as do most articles from the New York Times
  4. ^ Brian Parks (May 18, 2009). "The 2009 Village Voice Obie Award Winners Announced". Obie Awards. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Special citations: Sarah Benson (director) and Louisa Thompson (set designer), BLASTED (Soho Rep)...
  5. ^ Staff writers (2016). "Sarah Benson: 2016 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Theatre". Vilcek Foundation. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... Artistic director, Soho Rep.... Theater; directing; avant-garde ... Sarah Benson grew up in a small village in England ... Like her father, Benson is a resourceful builder, and the American theatre is benefitting from her skilled craft....
  6. ^ [2] Sparks, Cator. "An Evening With Soho Rep. The Broadway of the Avant Garde." HuffPost. May 4, 2011
  7. ^ a b CARL GLASSMAN (February 7, 2018). "After Long Shutdown, Tribeca's Soho Rep Celebrates with a Reopening Night". Tribeca Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2021. ... Soho Rep creative director Sarah Benson and theater supporters celebrate the newly legalized space, made possible by a revised certificate of occupancy and $300,000 in added safety measures.... Soho Rep filled its 73 seats Monday night, not for a performance but a celebration. ... Soho Rep, a cultural pillar in Tribeca for 25 years, would be dark no more...
  8. ^ The Pulitzer Prizes, The 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Drama, Retrieved February 23, 2021
  9. ^ 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards, Soho Rep. at The 2014 Drama Desks, Retrieved February 23, 2021
  10. ^ Staff writer (2021). "Sarah Benson M.F.A. '04: Artistic Director, Soho Rep". Brooklyn College Foundation. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Sarah Benson has been the Artistic Director of Soho Rep. since 2007....received a Drama Desk nomination and an OBIE award for Sarah Kane's Blasted....
  11. ^ Bess Rowen (June 30, 2013). "Interview with Sarah Benson by Bess Rowen". Howlround. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Sarah Benson...During her time at Soho Rep, the theatre's work has been recognized with seven OBIE awards, four Drama Desk nominations and The New York Times Outstanding Playwriting Award.....
  12. ^ Alexis Soloski (January 31, 2018). "A Safer Home for Dangerous Plays". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... Soho Rep, a downtown company with audacious taste in plays ... 46 Walker Street, which it had rented for 25 years. A round of lease negotiations had revealed building regulations at variance with the company's use of the space....
  13. ^ "Press & Awards". sohorep.org. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d Hilton Als (October 13, 2013). "True Grit: The unsentimental vision of SoHo Rep's director". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...After emigrating to the States, in 2002, she got her master's degree in directing from Brooklyn College's stellar theatre program...
  15. ^ "Sharing the Load". Howl Round. March 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Helen Shaw (September 25, 2020). "At Soho Rep, a Revolutionary Idea: Put the Creative People on Salary". Vulture magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... Benson and the theater's other directors, Cynthia Flowers and Meropi Peponides ... they offered a cohort of directors, actors, designers, and playwrights a job: a true living wage ($1,250 a week) and health insurance....
  17. ^ Playbill magazine, Dan Meyer, September 24, 2020, Becca Blackwell, Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Jillian Walker, More Hired to Create New Works at SoHo Rep, Retrieved February 23, 2021
  18. ^ a b c d e f Soho Rep: Converting a ground floor fabric warehouse. Theatre Crafts; Sep 28, 1979; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  19. ^ Two New Soho Theaters Soho News; Sep 18, 1975; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  20. ^ a b Soho Rep: Classics Backstage (Archive 1960–2000); Sep 5th, 1975; 16, 35; Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive pg. 20
  21. ^ [3] Author credit: BWW, Broadway World News Desk. "The Soho Rep Book To Be Released". Broadway World. December 19, 2011.
  22. ^ Blau, Eleanor. "Weekender Guide; Friday; MISS SHANGE AT THE KITCHEN" (Web.). nytimes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2014. "The SoHo Repertory Theater at 19 Mercer Street doesn't normally stage new plays; it is known for producing rarely performed works by famous writers. However, starting tonight at 8, it will break with tradition to present the New York premiere of The Idol Makers by Stephen Davis Parks."
  23. ^ Ehren, Christine (February 4, 1999). "SoHo Rep Names Daniel Aukin New Artistic Director; Announces '99 Season". playbill.com.
  24. ^ a b Robertson, Campbell (September 14, 2006). "Arts, Briefly; 'Apple Tree' Is Headed For Studio 54". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  25. ^ "Sharing the Load". March 2, 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Search the Obies". villagevoice.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  27. ^ Brantley, Ben (December 18, 2011). "Privilege and Poison on the Upper East Side". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  28. ^ Isherwood, Charles (May 10, 2013). "A Dream Is a Wish Your Id Makes". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  29. ^ Brantley, Ben (May 18, 2010). "Do You Have a Mother? Then You Have Someone to Blame". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  30. ^ Healy, Patrick (November 5, 2008). "Audiences Gasp at Violence; Actors Must Survive It". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  31. ^ Patrick Healy (November 5, 2008). "Audiences Gasp at Violence; Actors Must Survive It". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Sarah Benson at Soho Rep, where she has directed Sarah Kane's "Blasted" ...No one was more disturbed by "Blasted" than its director, Sarah Benson, and the three cast members, yet they have found inventive ways to cope with the nightly torture sessions....
  32. ^ Caridad Svich (October 2008). "Getting Blasted: Sarah Benson with Caridad Svich". Brooklyn Rail. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...It's been thirteen years since Sarah Kane's Blasted premiered...I sat down with Sarah Benson in September over tea in Soho ....
  33. ^ McElroy, Steven (September 12, 2010). "Broadway Bound and Also Unbound". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  34. ^ Brantley, Ben (February 26, 2015). "Review: 'An Octoroon,' a Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Comedy About Race". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  35. ^ "2018 Obies Winners and Performances". May 19, 2018.
  36. ^ Marc J. Franklin (April 10, 2019). "Go Inside Soho Rep's 2019 Spring Fête". Playbill magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2021. ... Off-Broadway theatre company celebrated its annual gala, hosted by Fairview's MaYaa Boateng, at Tribeca Rooftop April 8....
  37. ^ Bethany Rickwald (April 12, 2017). "Peter Sarsgaard, Gretchen Mol, and More Set for Soho Rep.'s Spring 2017 Gala: Actress Gloria Reuben and actor, director, and writer Tim Blake Nelson will host the event". Theater Mania magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2021. ... Soho Rep.'s spring gala is set to take place April 24 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. The event will honor director Leah C. Gardiner, playwright Melissa James Gibson, and scenic designer Louisa Thomspon....
  38. ^ Ben Brantley (June 17, 2018). "Review: Theater as Sabotage in the Dazzling 'Fairview'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ..."Fairview," which won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in drama...
  39. ^ Michael Paulson (April 24, 2017). "With Help From City, Soho Rep Will Return to Theater It Vacated". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Seven months after abruptly abandoning its longtime TriBeCa home, a small but prestigious Off Broadway theater said on Monday that it was moving back.... together they resolved the compliance issues ... Sarah Benson ... said she was relieved by the turnabout.
  40. ^ Sommers, Michael Soho Rep has 90 Days to Seek New Space Backstage; Apr 13, 1984; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  41. ^ Soho Rep on the Move... Again Backstage; Jun 28, 1985; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  42. ^ Soho Rep Finds New Home Backstage; October 26, 1984; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  43. ^ Mitgang, Herbert (February 15, 1985). "Theater: 'The Crimes of Vautrin'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  44. ^ Soloski, Alexis (May 20, 2009). "Obies 2009: What's Your Worst Theater Experience?". Village Voice. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  45. ^ Graves, Michael Soho Rep Finds New Home in Village; Opens Season with "Two Orphans" Backstage; February 14, 1986; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  46. ^ [4] Sommers, Michael. "THE NATURALISTS: A ROMANTIC TRIANGLE SHOOTS UP IN THE IRISH COUNTRYSIDE". New York Stage Review. SEPTEMBER 12, 2018
  47. ^ Paulson, Michael (April 24, 2017) "With Help From City, Soho Rep Will Return to Theater It Vacated" The New York Times
  48. ^ Paulson, Michael (July 29, 2024). "Two More New York Theaters to Share Space". The New York Times. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  49. ^ Gussow, Mel (April 15, 1992). "Theater in Review". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  50. ^ Copage, Eric (October 31, 1999). "New Yorkers & Co.; New Role for Small Theater Troupes: Entrepreneur". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  51. ^ Simon, Lizzie (May 1, 2012). "Reliving 35 Years at Soho Rep". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  52. ^ Parks, Brian (September 26, 2006). "Englishwoman in New York". Village Voice. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  53. ^ Two New Soho Theaters Soho News; Sep 18, 1975; New York Public Library Billy Rose Theatre Division, "Soho Repertory Theatre Ephemera"
  54. ^ a b c d e f Gilbert, Ruth (Mar 22, 1976). "In and Around Town". New York. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  55. ^ Gilbert, Ruth (Apr 19, 1976). "In and Around Town". New York Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  56. ^ Gilbert, Ruth (May 3, 1976). "In and Around Town". New York. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  57. ^ Gilbert, Ruth (May 10, 1976). "In and Around Town". New York. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  58. ^ a b Gilbert, Ruth (Jun 21, 1976). "In and Around Town". New York Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  59. ^ Barry, Ann (ed.) (August 1, 1976) "Arts and Leisure Guide: Off Off Broadway" The New York Times. Accessed October 6, 2014
  60. ^ "Dracula Thrills". nytimes.com. November 5, 1976. p. 46. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  61. ^ Gilbert, Ruth (June 27, 1977) "In and Around Town" New York. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  62. ^ a b c d e Martin, Raphael, ed. (2011). The Soho Rep Book: Thirty-Five Years of New York City's Big Small Theater(1st ed.). New York: On Stage Press.
  63. ^ Gilbert, Ruth (Feb 21, 1977). "In and Around Town". New York. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  64. ^ Lefkowitz, David (May 22, 1998). "Last Chance To Write While You Sleep in Soho, to May 24". Playbill. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  65. ^ Ben Brantley (October 9, 2008). "Theater Review 'Blasted': Humanity Gets Only a Bit Part". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ..."Blasted." Plays don't come any darker or harsher than the astounding drama ... By Sarah Kane ... directed by Sarah Benson...
  66. ^ John Del Signore (November 7, 2008). "Artistic Director Sarah Benson, Blasted at Soho Rep". Gothamist magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... Benson's flawless production succeeds in rendering's Kane's bitter world view with stunning clarity and courage....
  67. ^ Scott Brown (December 2, 2011). "Theater Review: Elective Affinities Is an Unsparing Night With the One Percent". Vulture magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...David Adjmi's fast, fanged one-act Elective Affinities — a nocturne for diva, sculpture, piano and townhouse — doesn't trip itself up with nuance...
  68. ^ a b c d e Mervyn Rothstein (May 16, 2019). "Stage Directions: Soho Rep.'s Sarah Benson Reveals Fairview Secrets, Why Her Actors Don't Wear Characters As Masks, and More: The Fairview director uncovers how Act 2 of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play was made, her directing philosophy, and more". Playbill magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Sarah Benson ... The dramaturgical work really lives in the design process for me....We tend to stage really, really fast. I learn by seeing scenes on their feet....
  69. ^ Ben Brantley (May 4, 2014). "Theater Review: Old Times There Are Not Forgotten". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...The Octoroon ... Ms. Benson and their highly resourceful design team use pretty much every weapon in the arsenals of both theatrical demolition and good old, crowd-tickling showbiz.....
  70. ^ Staff writers (2014). "Best New American Play (Tie) An Octoroon". Obie Awards. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Octoroon ....
  71. ^ Charles Isherwood (October 20, 2015). "Review: 'Futurity,' in a Civil War Setting, Wishes for Today's Technology". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... "Futurity," an odd and often beguiling show written by César Alvarez. ......Directed by Sarah Benson, artistic director of Soho Rep, ....
  72. ^ Playbill Staff (May 1, 2016). "FUTURITY, Guards at the Taj and Robber Bridegroom Earn Top Lucille Lortel Awards: The awards celebrate the best of Off-Broadway. Read the full list of winners here". Playbill magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...FUTURITY, an avant garde musical ... was named Best Musical ... 2016 Lucille Lortel Awards, honoring outstanding achievement Off-Broadway....
  73. ^ Robert Viagas (October 25, 2016). "Joe A. Callaway Award Winners Announced". Playbill magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... Joe A. Callaway Awards for direction and choreography Off-Broadway ... This year's awards (for work in the 2015-2016 season) were presented to Sarah Benson for her direction of Futurity, produced by Soho Rep and Ars Nova...
  74. ^ Ben Brantley (September 17, 2017). "Review: 'In the Blood' and the Singular Talent of Suzan-Lori Parks". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... Directed with finely measured restraint and a dangerously relaxing sense of humor by Sarah Benson....
  75. ^ Staff writers (2019). "The 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Drama -- Fairview, by Jackie Sibblies Drury: A hard-hitting drama that examines race in a highly conceptual, layered structure, ultimately bringing audiences into the actors' community to face deep-seated prejudices". Pulitzer. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Jackie Sibblies Drury and director Sarah Benson show us that nothing's funnier than "family drama."...
  76. ^ Alexis Soloski (January 30, 2019). "Who Needs a Super Bowl Ad? Skittles Ups the Ante With a Broadway Musical". The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ... the director Sarah Benson, an artist best known for defiantly noncommercial work like "Blasted" and "Fairview." ... found the strangeness of the piece ... "genuinely creatively exciting." ...
  77. ^ Greg Evans (April 17, 2019). "Bryan Cranston, Adam Driver, Jeff Daniels & Laurie Metcalf Among Broadway's Drama League Award Nominees – Complete List: OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY (list of nominees)". Deadline magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...Fairview ... Written by Jackie Sibblies Drury ... Directed by Sarah Benson ... Soho Rep...
  78. ^ Andy Lefkowitz (June 2, 2019). "The Prom, The Ferryman & More Win 2019 Drama Desk Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...A full list of winners can be found below, in bold and preceded by an asterisk... Outstanding Director of a Play ... Sarah Benson, Fairview ...
  79. ^ Andrew Gans (May 20, 2016). "Zachary Levi and Megan Hilty Host 82nd Annual Drama League Awards Today". Playbill. Retrieved February 21, 2021. ...OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY ... 10 Out Of 12 ... By Anne Washburn ... Directed by Les Waters ... Soho Rep ... Sarah Benson, Artistic Director; Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director...
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