American Theatre of Actors

«A Spanish Harlem Story» really rocks the house. After months of futility seeing one bad play after another, I was treated to a very pleasant surprise. James Jennings of The American Theatre of Actors has come up with a winner. «A Spanish Harlem Story» is another terrific theatrical piece written by Steve Silver (who I’m happy to see has won some awards since I last reviewed his work). The characters of Mikey and Manny, played by Silver and Larry Fleischman keep you glued to your seat from start to finish. Both talented actors showed great chemistry. Silver’s portrayal of an affable psychotic mobster left me wanting more of his backstory, and the dialogue immerses you in the play’s world. The most moving scene, between Manny and his daughter, was played with sensitivity and grace by Eliana Gonzalez. It got me choked up. Ken Coughlin as the tough mobster Uncle Tony and Rooki Tiwari as Rose round out the wonderful cast. Director Laure Rae Waugh choreographs the stage action like a prize fight. Bravo to this fantastic production. I’m going to go see it again and I heartily recommend others do the same.

Came here for a show, which was very funny. However, please note the seats are old and dusty. My friend and I left feeling very itchy.

Owner is either senile, a liar or both! Never do a show here. He brought prospective renters in to TOUR the theatre during a sold out performance! Get everything in writing, even things you shouldnt need to get, like, you have full access to the dressing room and dont have to share it with his daughter!!!

The theatre spaces are very nice and clean. The man who runs the theatre, James, is extremely nice. He is kind, easy to speak to, and fast to respond. I toured all three theatres that they have, and really like the spaces. It depends which theatre space, though, as the cheapest space is a bit more run-​down, and while it isn’t as visually appealing as a Broadway stage, it is nice.
I had no problems with toilets, which I checked, especially based on all the reviews talking about the toilets. I found everything clean and in working order.

We saw a perf of the Tempest which had superb and awful actors in it: superb Caliban and Ariel. The theatre itself is fairly basic and was overheated last night.
Tix were not expensive, and they do a lot of classics.

I just visited this venue for the first time, and thought that it was o.k. The show we went to see on the other hand I would have given just one star (That’s for another review). seating was on the older side and some seats were broken, though I think for a theater space it was pretty decent. The sound quality was good and the lighting was as well. It’s a good venue if the production is good I would imagine, and especially considering I’m not sure where funding for the theater is derived. Don’t go here expecting Lincoln Center.
I wouldn’t have thought to review this space, but my friend who took me was complaining beforehand that the bathrooms didn’t have toilet paper. My question of course was «how do you know that?» «I read it on Unilocal» she exclaimed. She brought her own package of tissues, but rest assured folks, the bathroom I used was flush with plush. So as of this post, they do indeed have toilet tissue, at least in the boys room.

American Theatre of Actors especially the SARGENT THEATRE is a real theatre not a black box. These days we are so used to black box spaces! The bathrooms SUCK yes but James the owner is really lovely. And he really really cares about the arts. I can live with the rest. You gave exclusive use of the space which is sometimes rare. I recommend renting! I don’t really like going to security during the early afternoon… but again its ok.

Back in Feb 2010, the teachers and some of the students (including myself) from Serena Studios pay homage to the late bellydance legend Serena with 3 dancing shows. The stage and the dressing are in bad shape. This theater needs some major updates. Go for the shows.

Alrighty. So. Now that I’ve performed a show at the Beckmann, it’s time to update what I now know to be a generous two star review.
Where the HELL is the money going in this place?! People pay money to rent this space and it’s clearly not going back into the space.
Problems encountered:
1. A seat in the audience broke during tech rehearsal, was «fixed,» and then broke again in the middle of the show last night, sending some poor paying customer tumbling to the ground.
2. No toilet paper in one bathroom, no lighting in another.
3. Another show was in the Chernuchin theatre and they were given access to the large dressing room that’s advertised with the Beckmann rental. What resulted was a 15 person cast being shoved into what appears to be a storage room. Mirrors consisted of full length warped mirrors laid on their sides and there was only one outlet. One.
4. During the Friday night performance, all lights blew backstage, leaving actors to fumble blindly in the dark for over an hour and search for costumes by cell phone light. It still wasn’t fixed by the time we showed up for the Saturday matinée, despite emails and calls to the manager.
ATA needs to seriously refocus their fiscal efforts and funnel some love back into the facilities. It’s a shame that non-​profit, teeny companies have to rely on places like this for affordable performance venues.

I’m in NYC visiting one of my best friends (who doubles as a casting agent in his free time) with absolutely nothing planned for the weekend. Oh, hey, the New York Musical Theater Festival sounds fun. First run of The History of War with book by Chip Zien! Excellent; I loved Into the Woods. American Theatre of Actors; sounds fancy — right!!!
W.R.O.N.G.
I don’t even know where to begin. We were warned on arrival that the show was still in early stages of development and — between the difficult-​to-​decipher accents of the world’s most historic war-​mongers, the harder-​to-​follow plotline, and the pubescent quality of the lead’s changing voice — I would say, at best, «early stages of development» is a suitable evaluation.
Despite the drawbacks of this fledgling production, my only real disappointments were with the theater itself. The seats are tiny and only ½ nailed down — leaving me torn between worrying about/​obsessing over the lack of circulation to my legs and the probability that I was going to break my chair throughout the entire show. The upshot is I didn’t have to pee; a state I achieved pre-​show by running the gauntlet of horrors that was the theater’s restroom. Halloween come early, kids.
«PLEASE LOCK THE DOOR WHILE YOU ARE IN THE BATHROOM.»
Mmmmmkay; that can’t be a good sign, especially when I push the door open and find a decently-​sized space with two stalls… with no locks… no toilet paper… and an inch of water on the floor. BLEH. The presence of soap was the only thing redeeming this place from complete hell-​hole status.
I like supporting the arts and I can appreciate a divey community theater, but the American Theatre of Actors is beyond even my generously-​zoned comfort area.

My poetry open-​mic travels entice me to American Theatre of Actors at the Beckmann Theatre on the fourth floor, which I happily attended on a late Sunday afternoon in continuation of expanding my network of cultured prolific poets.
This venue is not well organized in the sense of direction as there is no staff member directing visitors to specific theatres where a play is performed. The only signage outside for American Theatre for Actors (ATA) is a red awning and resides in a dilapidated building next to Midtown North Precinct (9^th Precinct). The seats are comfortable amid the dilapidated cushion covers. Since I have only attended a poetry reading which utilizes minimal sound and lighting, thus I have no comment on the quality of sound equipment and advanced lighting (if any thereof). The temperature is somewhat warm although somewhat comfortable.
The facilities belong to the land of gross as there are no locks on each stall in the women’s which is located on the third floor and lobby/​reception corridor area. There are no hooks in each stall for bags/​purses to hang and very mimimal toilet paper supplied. This dilapidated building is elevator accessible and wheelchair capable despite of the snail service. The bulletin in the reception corridor is futile as it does not list any current show or event (s) as I searched high and low for Peter Chelnik’s Prairie Fire Series’s location room/​floor.