Helping celebrate Theatre 80’s 50th year, actor Alan Cumming added his name and handprints to the celebrity “walk of fame” outside 80 St. Mark’s Place last night. His cement imprimatur joins others such as Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford and Myrna Loy.
Cumming, an East Village resident, was introduced by actress Arlene Dahl and theater owner Lorcan Otway.
EVG contributor Joann Jovinelly saw a performance last weekend of Ryan Landry's play, "Mildred Fierce," a musical black comedic parody of the 1945 film classic, "Mildred Pierce," starring Joan Crawford. Joann shared a few photos as well as a quick review:
While there's plenty of room for campy humor, the zingers go beyond the obvious, making for a well-rounded and thoughtful production that is sophisticated and subtle as well as over-the-top absurd. Much attention was placed on the details as well as the polished dramatic performances and musical dance numbers featuring the Gold Dust Orphans. There was a good dose of creative puppetry, too, and a cache of clever surprises.
"Mildred Fierce" plays on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27 at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.
Lorcan Otway, who owns and operates Theatre 80 and William Barnacle Tavern on St. Mark's Place, shared the following with us... We first saw him post the details on Facebook.
Here is a slightly condensed version of the incident:
On Friday, just after 4 p.m., three young men attempted to extort $100 from the owner of the theatre, Lorcan Otway, to return a phone they had, which had been stolen from an employee. Mr Otway pocketed the phone and thanked them and said that we did not reward theft.
As the three advanced to take back the phone, Otway's wife, Eugenie Gilmore-Otway, a lawyer, snapped a photograph of the instigator of the event, "Mark." He then snatched her phone and the three ran for the door.
Lorcan pinned the three against the door, and as they pushed out onto the street, he wrestled away his wife's stolen phone. One of the three, coming up behind Otway, shoved him head first into the Citi Bike racks [across St. Mark's], causing him a head and knee injury."
Upon fleeing, the men allegedly hit Genie with their car. She sustained a broken ankle and four breaks to her shoulder as well as cuts to the face.
According to Otway, the police have the make and model of the car ... as well as the license plate number, a phone number for "Mark" ... "the staff and management of Theatre 80 hopes for a speedy arrest and settlement of this matter."
Earlier this week, I noticed that a new sign went up outside Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place for the William Barnacle Tavern...
And yesterday, Lorcan and company put up some holiday gear...
Anyway, I realized that I hadn't written about the Tavern since before it opened. For this post in September 2009, proprietor Lorcan Otway, whose parents built and operated Theatre 80 starting in 1964, gave me a tour of the space. (You can read that post here.)
The tavern is other-worldly. You feel like you've come upon a weird oasis, as if you've slipped through the time-space barrier and landed in some alternate reality. It's not the absinthe, because you feel it the moment you walk in. Everyone else feels it, too. Newcomers step through the door with exclamations of relief — a quiet bar in the East Village!
Tavern aside, there's a lot of interesting things happening at Theatre 80. Check out their website here.
Theatre 80 and WingFlix present a documentary series of films from around the world and shorts from Occupy Wall Street. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online here. Come in and have a drink at Theatre80’s William Barnacle Tavern and talk to the filmmakers. Charles Krezell curates this series.
Tuesday, December 13 @8.00pm
“The Orange Chronicles” 2006, documentary 98 minutes Ukraine
The 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine was a massive demonstration of people for democracy and against electoral fraud. Millions braved freezing weather conditions to fight against stolen elections.
THE ORANGE CHRONICLES is a powerfully moving and unique examination of Ukraine's Orange Revolution from the perspective of an intrepid Ukrainian-American filmmaker, recording the build-up to what turned out to be one of the most astonishing bloodless political turnarounds in recent history. Filmmaker, Damian Kolodiy will attend.
Wednesday, December 14 @7:30pm
“Granito, how to nail a dictator” 2011, documentary 103 minutes, Guatemala, Spain, U.S.
GRANITO is a story of destinies joined by Guatemala’s past, and how a documentary film intertwined with a nation’s turbulent history emerges as an active player in the present.
Bigger than the Beatles takes you to Washington, D.C. for the week of January 20, 2009, and Inauguration of Barack Obama. It captures the energy and spirit of that historic event as seen through the eyes of Everyday People.
Theatre 80 and WingFlix present a documentary series of films from around the world and shorts from Occupy Wall Street. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online here. Come in and have a drink at Theatre80’s William Barnacle Tavern and talk to the filmmakers. Charles Krezell curates this series.
Monday, December 5 @7:30pm
“The Battle for Brooklyn” 2011, 93 minute documentary. Brooklyn
BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN follows the story of reluctant activist Daniel Goldstein as he struggles to save his home and community from being demolished to make way for a professional basketball arena and the densest real estate development in U.S. history. To be shown with “Month One” 13 minute an Occupy Wall Street documentary short. Filmmaker, Michael Galinsky will attend.
Tuesday, December 6 @7:30pm
“Medium Hot” 2008, 88 minutes experiment film that straddles the line of documentary and fiction. NYC
MEDIUM HOT is a digital update of Haskell Wexler's 60s classic film, MEDIUM COOL. Ethan and Mac take a road trip to Manhattan for the Republican National Convention. They plan to party, sleep in their car and make fun of the political process. But when they meet Naomi, a passionate political activist, they are introduced into the underground world of radical independent media. Filmmaker, Charles Krezell will attend. To be shown with “Right here All Over” 9 minute an Occupy Wall Street documentary by Alex Mallis.
Wednesday, December 7 @7:30pm
“Toxic Soup” 2010 documentary 88 minutes West Virginia, Kentucky
It’s the politics of pollution as giant corporations manipulate the system to delay environmental reform, endangering the lives of people all over the world for increased profits. “Toxic Soup” shares the stories of everyday folks fighting to keep their blood, water and air safe from pollution. With “Mountain Man”, a 10 minute documentary short. Co-Producer Sergei Krasikov will attend.
Tuesday, December 13 @8.00pm
“The Orange Chronicles” 2006, documentary 98 minutes Ukraine
The 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine was a massive demonstration of people for democracy and against electoral fraud. Millions braved freezing weather conditions to fight against stolen elections.
THE ORANGE CHRONICLES is a powerfully moving and unique examination of Ukraine's Orange Revolution from the perspective of an intrepid Ukrainian-American filmmaker, recording the build-up to what turned out to be one of the most astonishing bloodless political turnarounds in recent history. Filmmaker, Damian Kolodiy will attend.
Wednesday, December 14 @7:30pm
“Granito, how to nail a dictator” 2011, documentary 103 minutes, Guatemala, Spain, U.S.
GRANITO is a story of destinies joined by Guatemala’s past, and how a documentary film intertwined with a nation’s turbulent history emerges as an active player in the present.
Bigger than the Beatles takes you to Washington, D.C. for the week of January 20, 2009, and Inauguration of Barack Obama. It captures the energy and spirit of that historic event as seen through the eyes of Everyday People.
As I noted back in late May, The Pearl Theatre Company, which has had a residency at Theatre 80 the past 15 years, was relocating to Midtown for its 2009-2010 season.
Lorcan Otway, whose parents built and operated Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place since 1964, said in an e-mail to us at the time that "we intend to keep the East Village a vibrant arts community."
Indeed, that is certainly the case. Good news, finally, for a neighborhood overrun by beer pong, keggers and chain stores. This coming Thursday (Sept. 10), Theatre 80 begins its next life as a community theater. A local theater group is mounting a production for the next month; another group is booked for another month after that... (Stay tuned for the specifics...)
In addition, Lorcan will open a nautically themed cafe in the former Pearl Theatre's concession area.
The spot will be called William Barnacle Scott, named in memory of the late Tompkins Square Park regular who passed away in May. There will be no TVs. No Internet jukebox. And the cafe will close at 6 p.m. As the sign out front promises, "A quiet cafe where people can hear each other talk, and you can hear yourself think."
The cafe will be serving coffee and tea for theatergoers in the short term. Eventually the space will be open to the public, and will likely sell beer and wine.
And what a tour. Despite the heavy workload in preparing the space for next week, Lorcan was gracious with his time, and showed me the entire theatre. In the cellar, he pointed out the foundation to the farmhouse that was in this spot dating back to the late 1600s.
And! I saw the original beer cooler that belonged to Scheib's Bar & Grill, the former speakeasy that operated in this space until Lorcan's father, Howard, and his mother, Florence, bought the building in 1964. (Lorcan's mother is 89 and still lives above the theatre.)
I had to take some photos of the beer cooler...
And Lorcan told me the story about one of the two safes they found in the basement. The safe pictured below was opened in 1964 after being sealed up since the Prohibition. When Howard Otway and Mr. Scheib, who came up from Florida for the honor, opened the safe, they were overcome by fumes and passed out. As Lorcan said, inside: Beer-soaked $100 bills that were picked up off the bar in a hurry and bundled inside the safe. The bills became moldly through the years. (Lorcan said with a chuckle that the Otways never received a finder's fee for the nearly $2 million in moldy bills that Mr. Scheib eventually were able to clean...)
The upstairs area will include a photo of Howard Otway, a Broadway actor, whose inspirational vision for an arts-oriented community lives on with Lorcan today. (Mr. Otway passed away in 1994.)
We're nearly a week into the Howl! Arts month-long benefit supporting HOWL H.E.L.P.'s (Howl Emergency Life Project. Read more about them here.)
Lots of interesting performances every night at Theatre 80 at 80 St. Mark's Place. Tonight at 8, Jennifer Blowdryer presents 86'd, "rejection stories from a colorful collection of downtown's finest."
Later, director Lech Kowalski will be on hand to introduce his 1980s heroin classic "Story of a Junkie," filmed in the East Village...
Also on the bill — Richard Kern presents his short "Zombie Hype."
The admission is $10. (If you can't make it early, then you can see the films starting at 10:30.) For more info on HOWL! Arts, go here.
The Church of Earthalujah at Theatre 80 is not a political rally in a theatre, not a comedy in an improv club, and not a church service with great music — but if isn't all three, you get your money back.
Find out more about what Rev. Billy is up to right here. Find him on Twitter here.
The Church of Earthalujah
Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir Theatre 80, every Sunday through June, 7:30 PM, 80 St Marks Place
$10, no one turned away
The fourth annual NYC Anarchist Film Festival is tomorrow... Theatre 80 on St Marks Place from 1 pm to 5 pm and in the basement of Judson Church from 5 pm to midnight.
This year's festival honors the life and work of Brad Will.
Meanwhile, I found the following video via John Penley's Facebook page. The NYPD raided the 13 Thames Art Space in East Williamsburg the other day... here's video of that...
Lorcan Otway, the proprietor of Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place, passed along more information regarding the new Museum of the American Gangster.... (In the comments in yesterday's post, Jeremiah and I wondered if they'd be showing classic mobster films...)
Yes, we are going to show some of the old mobster classics. The museum will be in the unit above the box office, once lived in by Leon Trotsky. There will be tours of the basement and parts of the theater which date back to the speakeasy days. But, the museum will not conflict with the theater, which will continue to present plays, opera, ballet, film, and more. As far as neighborhood folks. Eric and I are attempting to give a feel to the place, that we both remember when gangsters where still a part of life in the neighborhood. We are not putting a heroic blush on the times, but rather, showing that this is a nation born out of bootlegging and human trafficking, that there is a constant tension between the freedom from and the liberty to... the dynamic between those who seek a nation with no moral ambiguity and those who wish to be left alone to enjoy themselves. The museum will be a place where oral histories will put the story back in history.
I am proud to announce the opening of the Museum of the American Gangster at 80 St. Marks Place (between 1st and 2nd Avenue), inside the historic Theater 80 building.
The Museum will be open daily for previews beginning Sunday, March 7, 2010. The official launch will be Spring 2010, date TBA.
The Museum of the American Gangster (MAOG) presents an opportunity to gain insight into the hidden, inside world of the American gangster through artifacts and stories told by those involved. We are working with a team of criminal authors, historians and related institutions, as well as family members and estates of pivotal crime figures, to create a museum that both casual fans and invested scholars could enjoy and benefit from. Beyond exhibits and artifacts, MOAG will offer dedicated research facilities, access to original source documents and articles, oral histories, workshops, walking tours, live performances, historic reenactments, lectures, movies and presentations.
MOAG's goal is to objectively and authentically present the role that crime has played in shaping the politics, culture, myth and lore of New York City. Criminals will not be glorified or sensationalized, nor will they be vilified -- rather, this institution intends to allow visitors insight into how and why criminals (on both sides of the law) chose the life they did. Where did they come from? What were their options? What was their relationship to the community? This is a chance to dig deep into the lives and minds of some of the country's most successful crime figures.
"Projectors in, screen up, a few of us watched a film last night, great sight lines, even from the front side seats, as the screen is set back about fourteen feet or more, (I'll have to measure and let you know...) image looks wonderful... so here is the news about the opening..."
Desperate to improve his life, New Yorker Fitz concocts a scheme to rob a wealthy and hated pawnshop owner. Unknown to Fitz, his gang of cheerful incompetents faces competition from two other crews who plan to hit the joint on the same night. Each group has a unique, hilarious style in this satire on heist capers that uses stylish cinematography, editing and art direction to explode filmic stereotypes. A stellar cast including Danny Masterson (“That ’70s Show”), Leon (“Get Rich or Die Tryin’”) and Dominique Swain (“Lolita”) brings to life this stylish spoof of the beloved heist comedy genre.
Excellent news from Lorcan Otway about the Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place:
Here is a quick update, with the big news, film is once again going to be seen at Theatre 80...
He also notes:
We have a Web site, now being built — Theatre80stmarks.com. The schedule will be posted to the site as deposit checks are in hand. At present we are in final negotiations to present several operas, ballet, a musical, and the big announcement, we are installing high def. digital projections, so that we can, on occasion present film again at Theatre 80, though our focus will remain live theater. “The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side played to appreciative audiences here last month, and it was a pleasure to have the company in our theater, and we look forward to their possible return soon with a new play. To enquire as to availability of Theatre 80 for performances, screenings, private parties or rehearsal space, e-mail Lori Singleton at Lori.theatre80.gmail.com.
As always, the Otway family wishes to extend our thanks to the patrons of Theatre 80 for their support and expressed good wishes.
Theatre 80's next life gets under way tonight with an extended run of "The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side." The Amoralists recently held a successful run of the play at PS122. Performances are set through Oct. 5.
As I noted back in late May, The Pearl Theatre Company, which has had a residency at Theatre 80 the past 15 years, was relocating to Midtown for its 2009-2010 season.
Lorcan Otway, whose parents built and operated Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place since 1964, said in an e-mail to us at the time that "we intend to keep the East Village a vibrant arts community."
Indeed, that is certainly the case. Good news, finally, for a neighborhood overrun by beer pong, keggers and chain stores. This coming Thursday (Sept. 10), Theatre 80 begins its next life as a community theater. A local theater group is mounting a production for the next month; another group is booked for another month after that... (Stay tuned for the specifics...)
In addition, Lorcan will open a nautically themed cafe in the former Pearl Theatre's concession area.
The spot will be called William Barnacle Scott, named in memory of the late Tompkins Square Park regular who passed away in May. There will be no TVs. No Internet jukebox. And the cafe will close at 6 p.m. As the sign out front promises, "A quiet cafe where people can hear each other talk, and you can hear yourself think."
The cafe will be serving coffee and tea for theatergoers in the short term. Eventually the space will be open to the public, and will likely sell beer and wine.
And what a tour. Despite the heavy workload in preparing the space for next week, Lorcan was gracious with his time, and showed me the entire theatre. In the cellar, he pointed out the foundation to the farmhouse that was in this spot dating back to the late 1600s.
And! I saw the original beer cooler that belonged to Scheib's Bar & Grill, the former speakeasy that operated in this space until Lorcan's father, Howard, and his mother, Florence, bought the building in 1964. (Lorcan's mother is 89 and still lives above the theatre.)
I had to take some photos of the beer cooler...
And Lorcan told me the story about one of the two safes they found in the basement. The safe pictured below was opened in 1964 after being sealed up since the Prohibition. When Howard Otway and Mr. Scheib, who came up from Florida for the honor, opened the safe, they were overcome by fumes and passed out. As Lorcan said, inside: Beer-soaked $100 bills that were picked up off the bar in a hurry and bundled inside the safe. The bills became moldly through the years. (Lorcan said with a chuckle that the Otways never received a finder's fee for the nearly $2 million in moldy bills that Mr. Scheib eventually were able to clean...)
The upstairs area will include a photo of Howard Otway, a Broadway actor, whose inspirational vision for an arts-oriented community lives on with Lorcan today. (Mr. Otway passed away in 1994.)
Anyway, here's Lorcan talking about the new cafe. (And, due to a technical glitch, the last 10 seconds got caught off -- apologies.)
If you're interested in rental information for Theatre 80, then please contact company manager Lori Singleton at: lori.theatre80@gmail.com.
Good news. Lorcan Otway, whose parents built and operated Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place, left a comment on my post from Thursday. (He also sent the letter to my fellow bloggers who commented on the post.) The news Thursday: The Pearl Theatre Company, which has had a residency at Theatre 80 the past 15 years, is relocating to Midtown for its 2009-2010 season. In a statement, the Pearl's Artistic Director Shepard Sobel said, in part: "While we are disappointed the East Village is losing a theatrical venue to commercial enterprise..."
Which left us wondering what might replace the Pearl as a tenant. Naturally, we assumed the worst. Fear not, though. Here's Lorcan:
Thank you for the kind comments, from past audience members and a former tenant. We dearly loved all the tenants who rented from us, including the Pearl. Be assured that the Otway family still owns and runs Theater 80. My mother is well and sends her dearest regards to all.
When we came to Saint Marks Place in 1964, there was not a tree on the block. My father planted the first three trees on this now tree lined promenade. At the age of eleven, I dug out the auditorium with my father and helped pour the concrete. We are not going anywhere. We helped to build this neighborhood one business at a time, and it can be lost one building at a time. We have held out against times when those who are tearing down the neighborhood seem to be winning. But, like many others, we intend to keep the East Village a vibrant arts community.
I am at a loss to understand the quote from Shepard Sobel that he is “… disappointed the East Village is losing a theatrical venue to commercial enterprise..." Theatre 80 has been the jewel of the off-broadway theaters since my father built it, and we opened in the mid 1960s.
Our theater saw the opening of "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown", was the home of the Manhattan Festival Ballet, and was the first full time film revival house. For many years Noche Flamenca has performed to sold out audiences.
I have no idea the meaning or source of this information. As managing agent for the Otway family, owners of Theatre 80, I state categorically, we intend to remain a theater. We have turned down offers for other uses of this theater which would destroy the auditorium.
Please be assured that we welcome offers from theater companies to lease this theater.
For some reason, at the time that I did the post Thursday, I didn't make the connection that Lorcan is the son of Howard and Florence Otway. Many of you likely know Lorcan or have at least seen him taking photos in Tompkins Square Park and elsewhere. The Villagerprofiled Lorcan last August.
I also had the chance to see his work last August in the exhibit "East Village Commons: A Loving Portrayal of a Neighborhood." Here is some of Lorcan's work via Flickr.
