'The Jonathan Larson Project' is ending its run early at the Orpheum Theatre

"The Jonathan Larson Project" is ending its previously scheduled 16-week run two-plus months early at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue. 

The world-premiere musical, which celebrates the dozens of unheard songs of the "Rent" creator, will play its final performance next Sunday, March 30. 

The labor-of-love production began previews on Feb. 14 with a March 10 debut. It garnered solid reviews, though it apparently didn't pack the house.

Show creator Jennifer Ashley Tepper shared this in an Instagram post: 

It's no secret that it’s incredibly difficult to hit the numbers needed in order to run a commercial off-Broadway musical in the current theatrical climate. I am deeply proud of the valiant efforts our team made to try to do that because we believed in 'The Jonathan Larson Project." I am deeply proud of the passionate reactions we've received from audiences every night. And I am deeply proud of our beautiful show and everyone who made it. 

Larson died of an aortic dissection on Jan. 25, 1996, the scheduled day of the first preview performance of "Rent" Off-Broadway. He was 35. 

In the early 1990s, Larson frequented the Life Cafe (which closed in 2011) on the NW corner of Avenue B and 10th Street. There, he worked on treatments for what would become "Rent," also set in this neighborhood.

The post-"Stomp" life of the Orpheum has included shows by Rachel Bloom and Eddie Izzard, which saw the theater return to its roots in the 1980s and early 1990s when it hosted Off-Broadway productions like Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing," Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth." 

This will be the third show in the past two years to end its run early at the Orpheum — joining the "Star Wars" parody "The Empire Strips Back" and "The Big Gay Jamboree."

H/T Bayou!

Signage alert: 'The Jonathan Larson Project' at the Orpheum Theatre

Photos by Steven 

Crews at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue are prepping the venue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place for the next production — "The Jonathan Larson Project." 

Yesterday, the signage arrived...

The musical features a newly discovered collection of songs by the creator and composer of "Rent" and "tick, tick… BOOM!" It includes over twenty previously unheard songs.

Previews start on Feb. 14. Opening night is March 10 for the 16-week run. Find tickets here.

Larson died of an aortic dissection on Jan. 25, 1996, the scheduled day of the first preview performance of "Rent" Off-Broadway. He was 35. 

In the early 1990s, Larson frequented the Life Cafe (which closed in 2011) on the NW corner of Avenue B and 10th Street. There, he worked on treatments for what would become "Rent," which is also set in this neighborhood.

'The Jonathan Larson Project' is up next at the Orpheum Theatre

A story with strong connections to the East Village will hit the stage early next year at the Orpheum Theatre. (Thanks to the commenter for this tip!) 

"The Jonathan Larson Project" features a newly discovered collection of songs by "Rent" and "tick, tick… BOOM!" creator and composer. The musical, featuring more than 20 previously unheard songs, has its world premiere when previews start on Feb. 14. Opening night is March 10 for the 16-week run. 

You can find ticket info here. The Orpheum is at 126 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

In the early 1990s, Larson was known to frequent the Life Cafe (RIP 2011) on the NW corner of Avenue B and 10th Street, where he worked on treatments of what would become "Rent," also set in this neighborhood.

That production started as a staged reading in 1993 at the New York Theatre Workshop on Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery — three years before its smash Broadway debut.

Larson died of an aortic dissection on Jan. 25, 1996, the scheduled day of the first preview performance Off-Broadway. He was 35. 

Tribute to Larson at the Life Cafe. Photo from 2011 by Michael Sean Edwards.

'The Big Gay Jamboree' packs it in early

Photos by Steven 

That's all for "The Big Gay Jamboree" at the classic Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue. 

The production, described as "a new comedy trapped inside of a musical," started previews on Sept. 14 ... with an announced run through Jan. 19. 

However, the Off-Broadway show ended after Sunday's performance. (There were 15 previews and 88 performances in total.) The crew removed the "Jamboree" equipment yesterday.

We heard good things about the musical, which features a book, music and lyrics by the lead, Marla Mindelle. The show was produced by Margot Robbie's LuckyChap, which also presented Greta Gerwig's blockbuster "Barbie." 

The post-"Stomp" life of the Orpheum has included shows by Rachel Bloom and Eddie Izzard, which saw the theater return to its roots in the 1980s and early 1990s when it hosted Off-Broadway productions like Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing," Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth." 

In 2023, the burlesque "Star Wars" parody "The Empire Strips Back" also closed a month early.

'The Big Gay Jamboree' announces itself on the classic Orpheum marquee on 2nd Avenue

"The Big Gay Jamboree," described as "a new comedy trapped inside of a musical," is up next at the classic Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue. 

And yesterday, the marquee signage arrived here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Derek Berg caught the changing of the show signs in action...

As we previously noted, previews start on Sept. 14 ... with a run through Jan. 19. Ticket info here. 

Meanwhile, workers left signage for the last production, Eddie Izzard's "Hamlet," lying on the sidewalk... and now likely part of a traveler's encampment down the block.

And another angle via Derek...

With "Stomp" playing at the Orpheum for 29 years, we didn't get many chances to announce the changing of the marquee signage.

Here's what's coming next to the Orpheum Theatre on 2nd Avenue

"The Big Gay Jamboree," described as "a new comedy trapped inside of a musical," is up next at the classic Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (H/T Steven!)

Tickets have been on sale since the spring... the marquee just hasn't been changed yet. Previews start Sept. 14 ... with an Oct. 1 opening day and a Jan. 19 close.

The synopsis!

Stacey wakes up after a night of heavy drinking and finds herself trapped in an Off-Broadway Golden Age musical. Forced to put her musical theatre degree in action, Stacey has to figure out how to escape this singing and dancing prison in front of a live audience. 

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"Stomp" ended its 29-year reign at the Orpheum in January 2023. The most recent shows by Rachel Bloom and Eddie Izzard saw the Orpheum return to its roots in the 1980s and early 1990s when it hosted Off-Broadway productions like Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing," Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth."

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

The changing of the signage at the Orpheum on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place ... as previously noted, Eddie Izzard's solo performance of "Hamlet" is getting a four-week run from March 19 to April 14... tickets are now on sale here.

To be: Eddie Izzard's 'Hamlet' coming to the Orpheum Theatre in the East Village

Photo from Saturday

Eddie Izzard's solo performance of "Hamlet" is getting a four-week window at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.  (H/T Steven!)

The show, currently in production at the Greenwich House Theater, will be moving to the East Village for an extended run from March 19 to April 14... tickets are now on sale here.

The performance has drawn decent reviews, though some outlets, like the Times, were tough. ("One comes away with the sense that Eddie Izzard didn't perform “Hamlet” so much as become defeated by it.")

In any event, this continues the post-"Stomp" life of the Orpheum... Rachel Bloom's "Death, Let Me Do My Show" most recently held forth here. 

"Stomp" ended its 29-year reign at the Orpheum in January 2023. Now, with performers like Bloom and Izzard taking the stage, the Orpheum is returning to its roots in the 1980s and early 1990s when it hosted Off-Broadway productions like Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing," Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth."

Wednesday's parting ahot

Photo by Steven 

Workers today were removing some of the signage outside the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place ... after the one-month run of Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Rachel Bloom's "Death, Let Me Do My Show." (The production ran from Dec. 7 to this past Saturday.)

No word on what might be next for the venue.

As noted... "Stomp" ended its 29-year run at the Orpheum early in January 2023. The first post-"Stomp" production, the burlesque "Star Wars" parody "The Empire Strips Back," closed back on July 20 — one month earlier than planned.

"Death" seemed like a throwback to the theater's days in the 1980s, when the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing," Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth" (not to mention "Little Shop of Horrors").  

'Death' becomes her?: Rachel Bloom is up next at the Orpheum Theatre on 2nd Avenue

The post-"Stomp" life continues on at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Signage is up now for the next production — Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Rachel Bloom's "Death, Let Me Do My Show" ...

The musical had a successful run earlier this fall off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. The show is in the EV from Dec. 7 through Jan. 6. You can find tickets here.

Bloom might be best know as the star (and co-creator) of the CW musical dramedy, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (2015-2019). 

"Stomp" ended its 29-year run at the Orpheum in early January. The first post-"Stomp" production, the burlesque "Star Wars" parody "The Empire Strips Back," closed on July 20 — one month earlier than planned.

"Death" seems like a throwback to the theater's days in the 1980s, when the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing," Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth" (not to mention "Little Shop of Horrors").   

'Star Wars' parody at the Orpheum is joining the dark side after Sunday

The farce may not have been strong with this one. 

After two-plus months at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue, the burlesque "Star Wars" parody "The Empire Strips Back" closes on Sunday, July 20. 

Per Ticketmaster, there were shows scheduled through Aug. 20. While this was said to be a limited production, it's not a good sign that the last month of shows had to be canceled...

 

Originally from Australia, this "Empire" has been touring around the globe since it first opened in 2011. 

The production started here on May 10. (A blown opportunity not to debut on May 4, per some "Star Wars" nerds fans.) 

BTW, did anyone see it here? Let us know in the comments! 

"Stomp" ended its 29-year run at the Orpheum between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street in early January. 

No word on what production might be next for the Orpheum, reportedly owned by Liberty Theatres, a subsidiary of Reading International, which also owns Minetta Lane Theatre. 

The farce awakens at the Orpheum Theatre

A new era is beginning at the classic Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... yesterday afternoon, the signage arrived for the venue's next production, "The Empire Strips Back" ...

This burlesque "Star Wars" parody begins a limited run at the venue on May 10.

This is the first time in 29 years that "Stomp" signage is not present on the theater. That show, which is on the road these days, ended here on Jan. 8 after 11,000-plus performances.

And this production continues the Orpheum's use as a theater. In the 1980s, the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1982, Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing" in 1988, Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" in 1990, John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth" in 1991, and David Mamet's "Oleanna" in 1992.

The Orpheum is reportedly owned by Liberty Theatres, a subsidiary of Reading International, which also runs Minetta Lane Theatre.

According to Cinema Treasures: "The site on which the Orpheum stands is alleged to have been a concert garden as early as the 1880s and, as such, to be one of the oldest continuously operating places of gathering for entertainment events in New York City." 

...and another view via Steven...

The "Stomp" sign's 29-year run continues on 2nd Avenue

Photos by Steven 

Workers yesterday were fixing the wiring on the Orpheum Theatre's marquee... which required the removal of the (iconic? maybe?) "Stomp" signage.

We thought they might be tossing the panels... as the energetic percussion-based show closed here on Jan. 8 after a 29-year run... (we've seen other discarded "Stomp" goods around here on Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street)...

At the end of the day, the workers returned the "Stomp" sign, albeit backward...

... and a little later...

As previously reported, a burlesque version of "Star Wars" is next for the Orpheum Theatre. Starting on May 10, "The Empire Strips Back" begins a limited run at the venue.

In the 1980s, the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1982, Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing" in 1988, Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" in 1990, John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth" in 1991, and David Mamet's "Oleanna" in 1992.

May the farce be with you: 'The Empire Strips Back' is next up at the Orpheum Theatre

A burlesque version of "Star Wars" is next up for the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue — the first production to play here after the 29-year run of "Stomp." 

Starting on May 10, "The Empire Strips Back" begins a limited run at the theater between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

Per the official description: "The classic 'Star Wars' characters are dropped into the world of burlesque. Comedy and striptease, loving detail and hilarious parody… Let us deliver you to the dark side."

Originally from Australia, this "Empire" has been touring around the globe since it first opened in 2011

Tickets go on sale Tuesday at noon. Sign up for info here.

"Stomp" ended its 29-year run at the Orpheum in early January. 

According to Cinema Treasures: "The site on which the Orpheum stands is alleged to have been a concert garden as early as the 1880s and, as such, to be one of the oldest continuously operating places of gathering for entertainment events in New York City." 

In the 1980s, the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1982, Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing" in 1988, Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" in 1990, John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth" in 1991, and David Mamet's "Oleanna" in 1992.

Jabba pic via the "The Empire Strips Back" site

Get ready to say so long to the Stomp sign

Photo by Steven 

Workers were spotted measuring the marquee today at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... word is the "Stomp" sign will be coming down soon to make way for signage of a new production. 

No word just yet on what might be next here in the famed theater. (There are rumors of an April start date.)

"Stomp" ended its 29-year run here in early January. 

According to Cinema Treasures: "The site on which the Orpheum stands is alleged to have been a concert garden as early as the 1880s and, as such, to be one of the oldest continuously operating places of gathering for entertainment events in New York City." 

In the 1980s, the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as Little Shop of Horrors in 1982, Sandra Bernhard's Without You I'm Nothing in 1988, Eric Bogosian's Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll in 1990, John Leguizamo's Mambo Mouth in 1991, and David Mamet's Oleanna in 1992.

Clearing out 'Stomp'

Photos by Steven 

Workers were spotted clearing out the Orpheum Theatre today... two days after "Stomp" ended its 29-year run here on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...

Some items were going into waiting trucks... while other props were put on the curb. One of the workers said people could help themselves to the stuff...

... for your own homemade "Stomp" production...

After 29 years playing in the East Village, I finally decided to see 'Stomp' before it closed

The 29-year reign of "Stomp" concluded yesterday evening at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue. 

Per NPR on Saturday: 

"Twenty-nine years is a long time to sustain a run," "Stomp" co-producer and general manager Richard Frankel said. "Foreign tourists became a major part of our audience and they really have not returned to New York since COVID. It's been tough. We just aren't selling enough tickets."

The energetic percussion-based show opened here on Feb. 27, 1994, for an initial four-month run. Since then, I've walked by the theater between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place thousands of times and never had any interest in seeing the production. 

I'm not the biggest theater person, spending more time taking in live music, movies or art exhibits. Aside from seeing the marquee on a near-daily basis, "Stomp" didn't immediately register with me. At some point, I realized that "Stomp" had been playing here forever. I think it was 1997. 

As the production continued to catch on and become a tourist destination, the desire to never see it only intensified. 

I recall sitting with friends at the Grassroots on St. Mark's Place. Someone knew a cast member and went to see the show. Their reaction: "It was better than I expected." I heard that similar refrain from other people who had dreaded seeing it, mostly locals who brought relatives or other out-of-towners to the theater per their wishes. 

Unlike "Rent," which had local roots, "Stomp" came out of the 1980s United Kingdom street performance scene. I never saw a connection between the show and the neighborhood, other than where the venue was located. Still, Frankel, the producer, told NPR that "Stomp" "really captured the sensibility of the East Village in the 1990s." 

In any event, as it was ending after nearly 11,500 shows, I decided to buy a ticket for an evening performance last week... and found myself in a short line like I had passed so many times in the past 29 years.

I admit to being curious about what the interior looked like... (there's a strict no-photo policy in the auditorium) ... 

Here's an official description of the plot via a press release about the closing: 

It is a journey through sound, a celebration of the every day and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum. Synchronized stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra, eight Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion. "Stomp" uses everything but conventional percussion instruments — dustbins, shopping carts, radiator hoses, boots, hub caps — to fill the stage with a compelling and unique act that is often imitated but never duplicated. 

On the night of the show, I found myself sitting next to, and in front of, several parents and their children — roughly 7 to 12 in age. The kids patiently waited for the show to begin (the 8 p.m. start was actually 8:15 p.m.) by playing games or watching videos on various handheld devices. 

The show started, and the attendees — a sold-out theater of 300-plus — seemed to appreciate the talented performers and theatrics, laughing and clapping along during the audience-participation moments. The kids around me especially enjoyed the more sophomoric elements of the show (the radiator hose/penis gag). Set pieces came and went, and we all saw countless inventive ways to make rhythms from everyday household items. 

I was pleased we had breezed through the show, as the early 20th-century seats without much legroom were taking their toll on my legs and lower back. At one point, I figured I had about 15 minutes left of the 105-minute show (with no intermission). I glanced at my phone; I had been there for 35 minutes — 70 to go! 

With the continued banging of trash can lids and swishing of brooms, I wondered who the characters were supposed to be: Co-workers not really working? (A thunderous display of quiet quitting?) Roommates in an industrial space? (I would hate to live below them with all this racket!)

In the end, I'm glad I saw it. I appreciated the creativity or, as Village Preservation put it, "the joyful John Cage-ian insight that any object can be an instrument and any noise can be a song." 

And there weren't any "why didn't I see this 26-27-28-29 years ago!" pangs of regret.

The show has won several awards, including the Olivier for best choreography, an OBIE and a Drama Desk award. Its North American and European tours will continue. (It has played in 45 countries.) So this isn't the end of "Stomp."

As for the future of the theater, I hope it remains an off-Broadway destination. In the 1980s, the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1982, Sandra Bernhard's "Without You I'm Nothing" in 1988, Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" in 1990, John Leguizamo's "Mambo Mouth" in 1991, and David Mamet's "Oleanna" in 1992.

No word on what might be next for the Orpheum, reportedly owned by Liberty Theatres, a subsidiary of Reading International, which also owns Minetta Lane Theatre. Some people have worried that this prime space will become the Orpheum Condoplex or something. That would be a familiar East Village story for the 2020s.

1 month left of 'Stomp'

As reported this week, Stomp is ending its run at the Orpheum Theatre at 126 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place on Jan. 8 — after 29 years and 11,400-plus performances.

The closing is "due to declining ticket sales," a spokesperson for the production told The Hollywood Reporter. 

Ticket sales weren't an issue for today's noon matinee ... as there were long lines for entry. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

Bang a gone: Stomp's long run on 2nd Avenue concludes in January

The producers of Stomp yesterday announced that the energetic percussion-based show will conclude its 29-year run in the East Village on Jan. 8, 2023. 

The closing is "due to declining ticket sales," a spokesperson for the production told The Hollywood Reporter. 

Stomp debuted on Feb. 27, 1994, and has performed nearly 11,500 shows at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

Show creators Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell told this to The Hollywood Reporter: 

"We are so proud that the East Village and the Orpheum Theatre has been Stomp's home for so many wonderful years and want to thank our producers and our amazing cast, crew and front-of-house staff, all of whom have worked so hard for so long to make the show such a success. They have always given 100 percent to every audience, from the very beginning in 1994 to the post-lockdown audiences of 2022. We want to thank everyone involved for such an incredible New York run." 

Per press reports, the show has won the Olivier for best choreography, an OBIE award, a Drama Desk award for unique theater experience and a Legend of Off-Broadway award. 

You can still see Stomp elsewhere as its North American and European tours will continue. 

No word on what production might be next for the Orpheum, which is reportedly owned by Liberty Theatres, a subsidiary of Reading International, who also own Minetta Lane Theatre.

According to Cinema Treasures: "The site on which the Orpheum stands is alleged to have been a concert garden as early as the 1880s and, as such, to be one of the oldest continuously operating places of gathering for entertainment events in New York City." 

In the 1980s, the Orpheum was well-known for Off-Broadway productions such as Little Shop of Horrors in 1982, Sandra Bernhard's Without You I'm Nothing in 1988, Eric Bogosian's Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll in 1990, John Leguizamo's Mambo Mouth in 1991, and David Mamet's Oleanna in 1992.

Above photo by Lucien Samaha via Cinema Treasures

Do you have what it takes to Stomp?

Open auditions are taking place this morning for Stomp at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street. (Top photo by Steven) 

Per the casting call:

Who you might be:

• A drummer who moves well 

• A dancer who can drum 

• An athletic individual with a great sense of rhythm 

• Acting ability is strongly preferred

As these photos by Derek Berg show, the line for tryouts goes around the corner on Seventh Street... 

Stomp returns to the Orpheum Theatre on July 20. Tickets go on sale this coming Monday.

As Deadline noted, "Stomp will be among the city's first Off-Broadway productions to resume performances post-pandemic shutdown." Proof of vaccination will be required for entry, per reports.

The show is now in its 26th year in the East Village.