Manhattan Repertory Theatre

The guy running this theater does a great job showcasing first-​time work in a small space. Very enjoyable, true New York theater experience without the glitz and glamour (or the $ 200 ticket prices).

This teeny tiny theatre showcases off-​off broadway productions. Think minimal set design maybe seats about 40 people, and that would be pushing it. For a small theater, they really utilize their space.
The sound and lighting was great for such a small place and the great part about it being so small is the production we went to see really had to do some creative measures to work in that space. It reminded me of one of those like 300 square foot apartments that happen to have everything.

All of the terrible things that are being said about this place are true. And worse.
Looking for a place to produce work? Try anywhere but MRT. You can find tons of others at
If you are considering producing a play here or take a class or pay these guys anything: just don’t do it.
I was conjured into thinking this was a good idea by a playwright who had a piece «accepted» into their «festival.» I was excited about the piece and the talent that I lined up but every second of dealing with the people who run this space was a nightmare.
I’m not someone who says this lightly. I deal with all kinds of people all the time. You may have thought, reading some other review, like me, that it’ll be different for you. You can get along or avoid – don’t do it.
I have no doubt that the staff at MRT will ask that this post be taken down. I am hoping that Unilocal does not let them do that.
WARNING: MRT is fond of making legal threats so I can’t say as much as I would like. «Charlie N.» calls me out for a review that I guess someone posted which was apparently removed? And yet Unilocal let’s the owner keep a 5 star review of his own place up?
The reviews you see that are positive here are as sham as Unilocal’s letting Ken Wolf get his way.
Don’t pay to play. And especially don’t pay these guys. For anything.
Now I’m guessing that MRT is going to reply or point out that I have some kind of axe to grind. Yes, I do have a problem with the venue owners taking my sweet playwright friend’s hundreds of dollars as a non-​refundable «participation fee» and then refusing to let her participate. We took reservations for the play /​drinks with the cast over eventbrite.
Ken Wolf had the audacity to say that I was marking up and selling unauthorized tickets to his venue. Nothing could be further from the truth. Do not believe any follow up Mr. Wolf, Charlie N or whomever states. He then also had the chutzpah to say that what I did was a felony.
If, after reading this, you’re still even remotely considering patronizing this thug, good luck to you.

My friend had a one act skit here, along with several other actors (about 12 – 15?). Each one was unique, and I liked the unpretentious vibe of this place.
It’s small, it’s fun, it’s not some big broadway production. Some of the other reviewers on here are being very unfair with their criticisms of this place. It’s place for actors to perform their art without all the BS.
Regarding the $ 20. If you are complaining about this, it’s actually pretty reasonable considering the rent they have to pay on 42^nd street. Seriously folks, the owners of this place have to eat, have a place to live, etc. I didn’t think $ 20 was unreasonable for NYC and a small contribution to support the arts. Go to the multi-​plex movie house down the street and you will spend well over $ 20 on tickets + popcorn, etc.
It’s a small place and yes it has fold out chairs, but I think it adds to the vibe. Also, the cheap porno shop next door… it’s like a throw back to the 80’s with all the mirrors and glittery lights. It didn’t bother me. The people complaining about the porn shop have deeper issues they need to be dealing with.
I found this place fun and the performances were interesting.

Here’s the deal… and I also want to respond to negative reviewer in an earlier review to explain my perspective.
Please note that Ken (artistic director) did not ask me to do a review… I am doing it solely on my own.
This theatre is a delightful little hole in the wall… and by that I mean, it is not the Ethel Barrymore or the Lincoln Center… nor is it meant to be. What it is is a clean, small but professionally run black box right in the heart of NYC on 42^nd St. that offers a place for almost ANYONE to produce, direct and act in original plays.
Do you know how rare that is? Not many people can say that they have written, directed, produced and acted in a play at a theatre on 42^nd St. in NYC… yet that is exactly the possibility. Are all of the performers polished and professional? No. But that is exactly the point. This is a space where they can have the freedom to put up their own creations and practice their craft without being harshly judged as a lot of NY theatre critics do… and perhaps achieve a modicum of art and experience along the way.
Think of it like a restaurant. There are some people who want all but their asses wiped for them when they go to a restaurant. There are others who love the experience of good food served in an unpretentious place… no matter what the surroundings.
Ken has been most generous and accommodating… and there are not many like him in this city. I can assure you of that. I first came to him to do some private monologue coaching and soon realized that this could be a quiet corner of the NYC acting world in which I can create original content and put it out there and have fun in the process. We need places like this in order to grow without judgement.
My play is currently running in their Spring One-​Act competition. Our series is involved what was supposed to be 6 one-​act plays. We were informed that one of the plays was eliminated due to the fact that the producer of said play had been reserving a bunch of tickets under their name and then selling them for an upcharge behind the scenes. Not only is this illegal, it is also unfair to the rest of the competition. The same day, someone put up a review calling this place a scam. You do the math. So the rest of the competition is now buzzing along just fine. And everyone involved seems to be enjoying the process.
If you can’t handle the gritty, raw, experimental type of theatre that is going on here… then go to TKTS in Times Square and buy yourself a ticket to one of the latest Disney shows. I’m sure it will be flawless… and if you are the complaining type you will still find reason to harangue it.
However. if you don’t mind watching honest craft development in a judgment-​free environment… then please stop by for a show. I am sure you will have a good time.

WARNING: Don’t make the same mistake I did, and walk into the adult store right next door with the same address.
PROS:
— Very intimate: I was sitting in the front row and felt like i was a part of the play because everything was happening just a foot away from me
— You can hear and see very well
CONS:
— $ 20 admission! Not okay for such a tiny place
— Uncomfortable seats (fold out chairs)
We saw our friend perform in THE SESSIONS here a year ago. It was an entertaining play so the uncomfortable seats didn’t bother me too much. The production was in an incredibly tight space though, so I wish it didn’t cost so much to see a play!

I like the idea of helping writers and actors put up new works a lot, but the way this organization is run needs some help.
I recently stepped in at the last minute to cover the light and sound board for a show here, and the artistic director, while being all smiles, was pretty awful to me.
The light and sound boards are in the back of the audience. The artistic director made a pre-​show speech and then asked if I’d hold the house for two minutes. He asked this where the entire audience, and presumably everyone backstage, could hear. I said sure and dimmed the lights back to their house open, pre-​show setting. The actors for the first scene took their places. I had no way of letting them know not to come onstage as I was not backstage with them, but in the back of the audience. The artistic director came back into the theater and said, over the entire audience, «I told you to hold the house. Did I not make myself clear?»
Suddenly I was on the spot in front of a theater of strangers for something beyond my control. I was made to look incompetent and unprofessional. This is when I had stepped in to help the company in a time of need. I felt embarrassed and ashamed throughout the entire show over something that I couldn’t have changed.
I will never offer to help out this theater company again, and I will avoid

We went here since we enjoy new material /​work under developement in small venues. However, this repetory theater left us $ 40 short and annoyed that we ventured to give this place a shot.
Performers we saw were marginally okay — we’ve seen better in smaller showcases, even gallery performances. The topic /​content was semi original. Worse — it was slightly less than 40 minutes short.
The money would have been better spent next door at Showworld. At least we would have enjoyed ourselves and gotten a better performance. Stay away.

A friend of mine directed a one-​act play here.
The theater is on the 3^rd floor of a building that people also live in, and there may be a business or two in there as well.
The theater itself holds about 40 – 50 people, max. The chairs are fold out chairs, and the space is tight/​small. Stage area is big enough, it’s surprising how much you can do with the stage space, it really works. Not sure if the theater is air conditioned or not, but the night I went, it was hot.
Admission was $ 20! Egads! Bottles of water, $ 2. No snacks or concessions.
Great space for small productions– just don’t go expecting anything fancy.

One of my co-​workers wrote a play that was hosted at the Manhattan Repertory Theater. It’s a small set up, probably only 25 people at max. But it was the perfect venue for this production.
The downside, the building was a bit sketchy for lack of a better word. There is an adult toy store to the left of the door so try to avoid accidently going in. Once you find your way to the third floor try to stay quiet as there are several other businesses and possibly group meetings taking place.