The company has staged 31 seasons and "built a reputation for recovering overlooked theatrical treasures and commissioning new works about the city's history on a small stage upstairs from the Connelly Theater in the East Village," as American Theatre first reported.
Citing changes in the theatre's economic and operational foundations, producing artistic director Alex Roe said in a statement: "Metropolitan has accomplished far more than we might have dreamed in these three decades. We have shone a light on scores of forgotten gems of American theatre to reflect on our contemporary culture and premiered hundreds of new works celebrating our neighborhood. Ultimately, we have reached the limits inherent in a company of our small size, and it is time to draw the curtain on a wonderful run."Founded in 1993, Metropolitan Playhouse started staging production from a 51-seat theater at the Cornelia Connelly Center between Avenue A and Avenue B in 1997. Roe introduced several series reflecting the neighborhood's history and residents, including the Alphabet City monologues and the East Village Chronicles.
7 comments:
This is devastating.
I am sorry to learn of this.
🙏 Grateful for Alex Roe and Metropolitan for your years of contribution to our East Village community! ❤️ You will be sorely missed! CdeB
This is terrible.
This was a special place with a unique spirit. Huge productions were made in that tiny space, which gave them a certain combustion.
The actors always had a relationship with audience, even if they were locked in with their scene partners, because they were right there. And audience members had a relationship with other audience members because they were visible through much of the show.
They did melodramas, new works, and all kinds of lost gems.
Alex Roe carried this place on his sturdy shoulders and deserves a great deal of thanks!
The NYC theater scene is collapsing in front of our eyes….
Sad.
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