Brave New World Repertory Theatre enjoyed a smashing success with their recent site-specific performance of “Street Scene,” a 1929 Elmer Rice play, using real residential buildings as an interactive set (OTBKB previewed the performance in an article last week).
Two performances last Saturday, at 1 and 5 p.m., went off without a hitch. Attendees quickly filled the available seating along Fifth Street in Park Slope (between 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West) while an overflow crowd found comfort in the ornate, lavish Brownstone stoops just across the way.
For Shannon Sindelar, having just been named the Brave New World Repertory Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director this past February, nothing could make her happier.
“With a cast of 35 and entire street that needed closing, we were expecting a few hiccups— what we didn’t expect was no hiccups at all,” Sindelar said. “The community really came together to make this happen.”
Indeed, the entire block seemed peacefully enraptured by the performance; any complaints were hard to come by.
Emily Glinick, Secretary of the Repertory Theater’s Board of Directors, was also emboldened by the show’s success.
“We produce our productions throughout the borough, and try to hit under-served areas especially. Red Hook, Bed-Stuy, and Windsor Terrace are just some of the previous neighborhoods we have performed in.”
Though the Brave New World Repertory Theatre’s official “office” is in Ditmas Park, “our ‘venue’ is the outdoors,’” Glinick said.
“We love to do site-specific shows, especially in outdoor locations,” she added. “It’s a return to the way theater was originally performed.”
If you want Brave New World Repertory Theatre to perform “Street Scene” or another performance in your neighborhood, or even use your building, visit them at bravenewworldrep.org, contact them at theatre@bravenewworldrep.org, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.