Cherry Lane Theatre

03/27/2023

Draw me like one of your French girls, Jack. 😉

In this 1948 artwork, Everett Shinn — a painter turned playwright — depicts the essence of theatre by offering an illuminating glimpse into a crowd gathering outside Cherry Lane during intermission. On World Theatre Day, we celebrate this energy of the audience coming together to be moved by a single piece of art and have a shared experience. 🍒🎭

03/20/2023

“And the sun’s coming up. It makes me feel like anything’s possible. Y’know?” — Sam Shepard, True West

Now that Spring is officially upon us, we’re not-so-patiently awaiting for the tulips to bloom once again. Here’s wishing you a season filled with limitless possibilities. 🌷🍒

03/06/2023

2023 is a big year for us! We are celebrating our centennial as the birthplace of Off-Broadway and we are very excited to announce that we are now a proud member of the A24 family. We look forward to this next chapter in our history!🍒

01/31/2023

Fun theatre history find! Fifty-three years ago, “Unfair to Goliath” premiered at Cherry Lane Theatre. Based on the book by holocaust survivor, Ephraim Kishon, this story was adapted for the stage by Olivier & Emmy award winner, Herbert Appleman.

(1st photo - original theatrical poster. 2nd photo - rehearsal photo of cast members Jim Brochu & Laura May Lewis.)

01/24/2023

On we feature another notable woman who graced Cherry Lane with her talent.

In 1952, Lucia— credited as Lucille— Dlugoszewski joined the Living Theatre in bringing “Abu the King” to life at Cherry Lane. Known for her prolific compositions of experimental music, she utilized her talents as the sound designer and composer of this production. Lucia was known for unique percussion styles of her time. She remarked that, “with the everyday sounds, I was just fascinated with the idea that you could get sounds that wouldn’t stimulate your emotions, but would stimulate your sense of wonder.” She would utilize this philosophy to embrace the power of subtlety, silence, and gentle muffled sounds within her time at Cherry Lane Theatre.

01/18/2023

Some from Wendy Wasserstein !

This isn’t the first time Cherry Lane has benefited from the wisdom of Wendy. In both 1999 & 2000, she was a mentor in our beloved Mentor Project for Bridgette Wimberly’s “Saint Lucy’s Eyes” & “Lowell Limpett” by Ward Just. 🍒

01/17/2023

What’s in a name?

In 1984, the playbill of Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame” forewent the traditional yellow and instead featured an unusual hue of blue. This shade was known as “Tipton Blue” and was named for the lighting designer on that very production — Jennifer Tipton. Known in the tech community for her innovative uses of blue hues, she created her own shade that is often still used today. On we highlight her philosophy that “Ninety-nine and nine tenths percent of the audience is not aware of the lighting, but 100 percent is affected by it.” (New York Times) We’re thrilled to have Jennifer Tipton’s work on this revival of Endgame be a part of our Cherry Lane history.

01/13/2023

Look familiar?

In 1990, Cherry Lane was artistically converted into the "Beneath the Underdog" club in Spike Lee's MO BETTER BLUES.

We love seeing Cherry Lane Theatre all dressed up. 🍒

01/11/2023

A little from Lorraine Hansberry in a letter to her husband.

Lorraine Hansberry’s play “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” premiered at Cherry Lane Theatre in January of 1969.

12/17/2022

Wishing our wonderful Cherry Lane family the happiest of holidays. May you be surrounded by love, laughter, and the warmth of the holiday season. ❄️🍒

12/05/2022

It is with the greatest sadness we share the passing of our beloved friend, playwright & CLT board member, Bridgette Wimberly.

Ruby Dee & Billie Allen adored our Bridgette, our most special of playwrights. Here at Cherry Lane, Bridgette found a lifelong creative family with them that remains one of our dearest artistic collaborations to have provided a home for.

She was forever proud & grateful for her place in the inaugural season of Mentor Project, mentored by the wonderful Wendy Wasserstein, whom Bridgette loved with all her heart, and whom she continued to keep alive for all of us, along with her beloved "Miss Dee” and many other gems, with legendary stories of their time together, told with unforgettable Bridgette-style: one of a kind humor, enthusiasm, and all heart. This is who Bridget was.

From her first participation in Mentor Project’s inaugural season, she never missed an opening night. This is extraordinary. Over 23 years, and 64 playwrights, she was at every single one. She was this program’s greatest champion. She rolled up her sleeves to tackle every obstacle & she was there with us to celebrate every victory.

Her powerfully grounding energy — quiet & tranquil — has graced Cherry Lane for so many years, through hardships & in times of joy, with a steady flow of nourishment. With her reserved nature, she might make herself at times unseen; yet with her loving ever-presence, she would always make sure her presence was powerfully felt as health itself to our Cherry Lane family. She was our steady beating heart. Our bosom sister. A part of us is now lost. And it will never be repaired. But in these unshakeable brick walls she helped to build, a part of her remains.

We will remember Bridgette as a gifted playwright who used her powers always for good. An award winning poet, playwright & librettist, Bridgette's works include Saint Lucy's Eyes (3 Audelco awards, Kesselring Award Nomination, best new play) developed in our Mentor Project, 7 Sisters, The Mark, Going to the River, Forest City, Rosmersholm, The Separation of Blood, From Breast Cancer to Broadway and Charlie Parker’s Yardbird.

A veteran member of Cherry Lane's Board of Directors, Bridgette acted as a Mentor and Director of Development. Bridgette is beloved by the Cherry Lane family & remembered by all artists she collaborated with.

She leaves a tremendous void that we will try to fill with memories of her laughter & beautiful light.

12/02/2022

It was an absolute thrill to have Tommy Tune at Cherry Lane as he filmed the upcoming Twiggy documentary. He inspired us with fascinating stories of his life in the theatre, his treasured memories with Twiggy, & his love for CLT.

Keep an eye out for these stories in the upcoming Twiggy documentary, directed by

Thank you to the entire team! It was a pleasure to have you here and we can’t wait to see it! 🍒♥️

10/05/2022

The CLT Family remembers Charles Fuller for his indelible contribution to theatre. Not only did he have a profound impact on the arts, he had a profound impact on those he encountered. We remember the warm, collaborative environment he created when he walked into any room.

Known for his groundbreaking explorations of social and historical issues, Fuller gave us critically acclaimed pieces such as “A Soldier’s Play” and “Zooman and the Sign.”

We remember, with fondness, his play “One Night” which premiered in 2013 at our very own Cherry Lane Theatre. We were deeply grateful to also have had Charles be a Mentor in Cherry Lane’s Mentor Project in 2008.

With love, we cherish his history with us at Cherry Lane and strive to honor his work and positive outlook. We mourn his loss and celebrate the legacy he left behind. 🍒 ❤️

📷: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy (2009)

09/22/2022

We had such a blast opening This Beautiful Future at Cherry Lane. 💗

📷:

09/19/2022

🍒

It was an honor to be joined by Ethan Hawke at Cherry Lane Theatre last night. Thank you for joining us at !

09/08/2022

A sneak peek of the next show at Cherry Lane.

Angelina Fiordellisi & Austin Pendleton in rehearsals for This Beautiful Future, starting September 10th. 💗

Tickets available on our website.

Photographed by Emilio Madrid