Ensemble Studio Theatre

have seen many plays here at est.
every one great. and i am really fussy.
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this is a funky space, so prices are lower.
you
will not be disappointed!
lynne

Yesterday we saw «When January Feels Like Summer» and it was *superb*; the acting and the writing were really terrific. The last performance was today, because otherwise I’d highly recommend attending. Also, the young woman working at the box office and the young man working in the «waiting» room were very friendly.
The only reason I’m not giving five stars is because the physical space leaves a lot to be desired. I’m sympathetic, in that it’s a non-​profit organization — but still… the flight of stairs is very steep (bad news for those of us with knee problems/​etc.) and the person who was supposed to operate the (freight) elevator didn’t arrive before the play began (he was indeed there afterwards). Also; the «waiting» room is tiny, and the restroom is only for one person at-​a-​time.
Currently the theater is having a challenge grant — and we gladly made a donation (online), since the play was so wonderful.

I have found attending performances at the Ensemble Studio Theatre to be compelling and enjoyable.
The true focus of ‘EST’ is the performers. You won’t get a lot of special effects or flashy numbers, but you will be moved by the caliber of performance delivered by these professionals.

Well, I’ve only been here once, and I’m a big small production fan. Plus some big stars — including Sarah Jessica Parker and Bill Murray– have performed here when they were coming up in the ranks. So it was kind of surprising for me that this place was a bit off on all levels.
The space: Was extremely basic. The airconditioning wasn’t working. The bathrooms were kind of sketchy. And, for your older relatives in town for the night, they will have a hard time with the stairs you have to scale before reaching the theatre.
The audience: A guy actually booed one of the one-​act plays. I didn’t like it either, but any civilized person in post-​Shakespearean times knows that the days of booing and throwing tomatoes are over. My god, man — walk out, keep quiet, give it a bad review on Unilocal or just bitch to your friends like other New Yorkers would. Even the most jaded Manhattanite in the room was thrown by this action.
The play: Wow. I guess it’s always a crap shoot when you go to intro/​experimental theater. The series of one act plays we saw were about 1) A young Korean girl who could fly and the mad scientist doctor who breaks her arms to stop her; 2) a girl who wakes up in a strange apartment after an experimental lesbian tryst and then ends up making out with her hook-up’s mother; 3) a guy who falls in love with the woman his wife is when she is sleepwalking — and then it turns out she is actually awake during those times and sleepwalking when she was seemingly awake and 4) a muddled brogue-​laden story about two boys whose families are intertwined and are attracted to each toher in a physical way. They were well acted for the most part, but seemingly pointless. Could have been the one act format, but I don’t think so. In actuality, I blame the directors — particularly for the first and last pieces– that made a complete mess of the joint.