A HOLIDAY CLASSIC RETURNS!
A CHRISTMAS DIAMOND
By James Bosley
A Live Radio Play Reading
Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 PM
Your favorite holiday radio show is back for its fourth consecutive year to lift your spirits and warm your hearts!
In the Grand Foyer of The United Palace
Directed by Doug Bost, and featuring Elizabeth A. Bell, Laura Fois, Victor Verhaeghe, Rik Walter, Jeff Ward
With an surprise appearance by a certain jolly fellow...
FREE & FAMILY FRIENDLY
November Readings
Design by Julia Granger
ALL THAT WE KNOW AT THIS TIME
by JAMES BOSLEY
Neighborhood characters share their intimate desires, disappointments, and differences — until an unthinkable event makes it all seem irrelevant.
RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE
FEATURING
Laura Fois, Matt Higgins, Fernando Mateo Jr., Seth McNeill, Yasmin Ranz-Lind, Lori Vega, Eamon Venerus
Readings of this play will take place on two consecutive nights in the sanctuaries of two different houses of worship in Washington Heights.
October Showing UP
Design by Julia Granger
TREATS AND TRICKS
a spooky Showing UP
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
At BUUNNI Coffee on Broadway
A Train to 207th
FEATURING
James Bosley, Danielle Breitstein, Zephyr Caulfield, Cameron Mark Russell, Rik Walter and…
MC — Scam Likely
Come in costume to be entered into the raffle for our festive DOOR PRIZE!
September Reading
Design by Julia Granger
NOIR HAMLET
by John Minigan
an al fresco play reading
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
In Isham Park - Inwood, Manhattan
1 Train to 215th or the A Train to 207th
FEATURING
James Bosley, Zephyr Caulfield, Laura Fois*, Denisse Estefany Mendoza, Rik Walter*, Jeff Ward
*member of Actors’ Equity Association
Main Stage & Gala!
Bread of Life
by Frank pagliaro
Ft. Washington Collegiate Campus, 729 W 181st St.
UP presents our 16th main stage production chosen from our 2024 Dead of Winter reading series. The play tells the timely story of a mysterious messiah and the tragic upheaval thrust upon a disciple’s family.
march 26 – April 12
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays – 7:00 PM; Saturdays – 2:00 PM
Directed by Leslie Kincaid Burby
featuring
Jesse Castellanos˚, Laura Fois Bosley˚, Miguel K. Reis, Nikaury Rodriguez˚, Cameron Mark Russell
˚ Member Actors’ Equity Association
TICKETS ON SALE NOW — click here!
꧁꧂
Onward & UPward!
save the date:
May 14, 2025 — 6pm
The UPtown Party of the Year: Onward & UPward.
Mamajuana Cafe Inwood, 247 Dyckman Street.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW — click here!
UP Next...
The Astrology of Sondheim
SATURDAY MARCH 1, 7pm
Ft. Washington Collegiate Campus, 729 W 181st St.
FREE
Join us for a very special, one-night-only, cabaret performance by UP's Literary Manager Ashley O’Neill, who, as the title suggests, offers what the heavens themselves might observe about a certain American musical singularity.
Musical Accompaniment by Mark Galinovsky
꧁꧂
Bread of Life
by Frank pagliaro
UP presents our 16th mainstage production chosen from our 2024 Dead of Winter reading series. The play tells the timely story of a mysterious messiah and the tragic upheaval thrust upon a disciple’s family.
march 26 – April 12
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays – 7:00 PM; Saturdays – 2:00 PM
Directed by Leslie Kincaid Burby
featuring
Jesse Castellanos˚, Laura Fois Bosley˚, Miguel Reis, Nikaury Rodriguez˚, Rory Max Kaplin˚
˚ Member Actors’ Equity Association
꧁꧂
Onward & UPward!
save the date
The UPtown Party of the Year: Onward & UPward
May 14, 2025
Richard Diamond
Spring 2025 mainstage production
Bread of Life
by Frank pagliaro
The play tells the story of Jesus from the point of view of the wife of one of his disciples. Check back for details.
Save the date
The UPtown Party of the Year: Onward & UPward
May 14, 2025
Dead of Winter Reading Series 2024
UPtown's pre-eminent new play reading series returns. Don't miss your opportunity to contribute to the development of these vital new works, which could eventually find their way to our mainstage.
All readings @ 3pm Ft. Washington Collegiate Campus (729 W. 181st Street, New York, NY 10033)
FREE!
January 7th: FLOATING DOWN TO CAMELOT by Steven Satta, directed by Janice Goldberg A gay love story set on a liberal-arts college campus in the 70's.
January 14th: WISH BONE by Phoebe Farber, directed by Betsy True A young woman with big dreams navigates various factions in her job at a chicken-processing plant.
January 21th: TUMBLEWEED by Marcus Scott, directed by Dev Bondarin A young black girl with hair like a tumbleweed faces various standards of beauty both within and out of her immediate family.
January 28th: BREAD OF LIFE by Frank Pagliaro, directed by Kirby Fields An unorthodox telling of the story of Christ.
Our 2023-2024 Season Announced!
Join us for a Season of New Work!
Good Medicine
Written and Performed by Richard Grunn
November 16, 17, 18
Directed by Leslie Kincaid Burby
Music by Joe Burby and Henry Burby
Ft. Washington Collegiate Campus 729 W. 181st Street, NY, NY 10033
Looking for that fast fix? That miracle cure? That key to a better life?
UP favorite Richard Grunn takes on the “Medicine Show” from the 19th century snake oil salesmen to the New Age gurus.
Just what the doctor ordered.
Reserve your FREE tickets: goodmedicine.eventcombo.com
A Christmas Diamond LIVE
by James Bosley
(based on characters created by Blake Edwards)
a Live Radio Play Reading
directed by Doug Bost
December - One Night Only (TBD)
United Palace Grand Foyer
Your favorite holiday special returns! That's right. You loved it on the radio, now experience this new holiday classic Live and In-person, featuring your favorite characters performed by your favorite UPtown actors.
FREE and Family Friendly
Dead of Winter Reading Series
4 Sundays in January 2024
Ft. Washington Collegiate Campus
UPtown's pre-eminent new play reading series returns. Don't miss your opportunity to contribute to the development of these vital new works, which could eventually find their way to our mainstage.
Showing UP - February 2024
UP's "half-baked and brand-spanking" variety show is back just in time for that most star-crossed time of year, Valentine's Day! We are actively seeking 10-minutes pieces with a heart-shaped theme. Monologues, scenes, songs, poems, stories, comedy, op-ed -- whatever you got, we'd LOVE to hear. Email your submission to info@uptheater.org.
Lost Sock Laundry by Ivan Faute
Directed by Madelyn Chapman
Spring 2024
This New York-set play about immigrants trying to adjust to their new country while clinging to their homelands emerged from UP's 2021 Renewal Reading Series. We are thrilled to give it the full production it deserves.
Summer Reading on Saturday, July 29th
“Nick and Nora Go Off Broadway“ by Bambi Everson
Saturday, July 29
4:00 PM
An al fresco play reading
Directed by Kirby Fields
Featuring:
Wynne Anders * Laura Bosley * James Bosley * Oona Higgins Steven Michael Martin * Frank Pagliaro * Leigh Selting * Victor Verhaeghe
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us up in Isham Park (near Bruce's Garden), Inwood
FREE
Reception to follow
The Best Punk Band in Conway, Missouri
Opening May 3rd!
UP Theater Company Presents
The Best Punk Band in Conway, Missouri:
An Oral History of Presley Cox and the Fallout Five
The story of an older punk rocker who is looking back at the hard knocks and glory days, and the band that propelled her to fame (sort of).
By Kirby Fields
Directed by Rachael Murray
MAY 3 - MAY 20, 2023
Wednesdays - Saturdays @ 8PMFt. Washington Collegiate Church Sanctuary
729 W. 181st Street, NY, NY 10033
Tickets: BESTPUNKBAND.EVENTCOMBO.COM
Featuring:
Jason Guy*
Lisa Graham Parson
Devin Romero
Samantha Simone*
Henry Temple*
Kirk White*
Jess Wood
Zuzu
Scenic & Lighting Design – Duane Pagano
Costume Design - Molly Goldberg
Sound Design - David Margolin Lawson
Original music – Phil Yanos
Art – Ellen Lindner
Production Stage Manager – Chrystal Campbell*
Equity approved showcase
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
UP Presents a reading of "Driver's Seat"
a one-act play written and performed
by Ellie Brelis
UP Theater presents this award-winning solo show depicting a young woman at the intersection of heartbreak, mental illness, identity, and, oh yeah, a global pandemic.
Saturday, April 1st
at Buunni Cafe
4961 Broadway, New York, NY 10034
Doors open at 6:30 for a 7:00 curtain
Come early to enjoy Buunni's delicious menu
Free Admission
Dead of Winter Reading Series 2023
Sundays @ 3pm in the Sanctuary of Ft. Washington Collegiate Church
729 W. 181st Street, Washington Heights
Join us for readings of these 4 new plays over 4 Sundays in January. All readings are FREE and are followed by a talkback with the playwright.
January 8th - Natchetochez by Seth McNeill In the aftermath of a nearby mass shooting, a family in the rural Deep South is confronted with questions of how well they know themselves and each other, what it means to be “one of us,” and how to handle history that they would rather forget.
January 15th – Once on Rumspringa by Ellis Abigail Stump
With 24 hours remaining in their Rumspringa, two Amish teen girls face a momentous decision: surrender their forbidden love or flee their hometown and be shunned forever
January 22nd – The Rehearsal by Steven Young
A desperate cast rehearses their production of Othello, helmed by an egomaniacal director.
January 29th – Lime-a-Rita Racist by Joshua Young
When a mild-mannered guy knocks the ever-loving shit out of a racist scumbag, it causes his coworker to wonder if toxic masculinity is still toxic if it’s used for good.
UP Announces our 2022-2023 Season!
August 6, 2022 - Summer Reading in Isham Park
“Lysistrata” by Aristophanes, freely adapted for our times by Kirby Fields
When a country increasingly restricts the rights of hold of its citizens, Lysistrata mobilizes to deny the other half the thing they want most.
Featuring: Mary Albert, Omar Camps-Kamrin, Kirby Fields, Laura Fois, Kirsten Hopkins, Kian Johnson, Lue McWilliams, Nikaury Rodriguez, Victor Verhaeghe
Sept. 17, 2022 - "Showing UP for Tara" 7pm @ Buuni Coffee, Inwood
UP brings back its curated open mic with this special edition, dedicated to UP's own Tara Mooney. Her unique comedic voice and free spirit will be honored with performances by some of her - and your - favorite uptown creatives.
Nov. 5, 2022 - “My Body No Choice” 7pm @ Buuni Coffee, Inwood
This series of monologues, commissioned by Arena Stage in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, features pieces by some of the country’s premiere female playwrights: Anonymous, Lee Cataluna, Fatima Dylan, Lisa Loomer, Dael Orlandersmith, Sarah Ruhl, Mary Hall Surface and V. directed by Nancy Robillard
Produced in collaboration with Arena Stage, UP Theater is one of only 20 theaters across the country producing a reading of this timely work.
December 8, 2022 - “A Christmas Diamond - Live!” 6pm @ The United Palace, Washington Heights
You loved it on the radio, now come and experience this new holiday classic, by James Bosley, featuring characters created by Blake Edwards, live and in person.
Directed by Doug Bost with Sound Design by David Margolin Lawson Featuring: Elizabeth A. Bell, Doug Bost, Laura Fois, Rik Walter, Jeff Ward, Victor Verhaeghe
January 2023 - "Dead of Winter Reading Series"
Four readings of four new plays over four January evenings
May 2023 - “The Best Punk Band in Conway, Missouri: An Oral History of Pressley Cox and the Fallout Five” by Kirby Fields
This story of an older punk rocker who is looking back at the hard knocks and glory days and the band that propelled her to fame (sort of) will by UP's 14th mainstage production.
May 2023 - "Onward & UPward"
Help us celebrate our 13th birthday as we gather together for food, drink, raffles and to honor our Upstanding Person of the Year
The Barn Re-Opens on May 4th
UP Theater Company presents
A Barn Play
by Lizzie Donahue
directed by Leslie Kincaid Burby+
a cast of farm animals perform a darkly comic fable for our time
May 4th - May 21st 2022
Wednesday - Saturday @ 8pm
Ft. Washington Collegiate Church (729 W. 181st St., NY, NY 10033)
Tickets: ABarnPlay.bpt.me
Featuring:
Mary Albert
April J. Barber
Ariel Blake
Adam Burby
Denisse Estefany Mendoza
Erin Nelson
Rik Walter*
Set Design - Duane Pagano
Costume Design - Hunter Dowell
Lighting Design - Diana Duecker
Sound Design - David Margolin Lawson
Graphic Design - Ellen Lindner
Production Stage Manager - Eszter Zador
Equity approved showcase
+ Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
*Member of Actors' Equity Association
"A Barn Play" is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
This production is made possible in part with funding from UMEZ Arts Engagement, a regrant program supported by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) and administered by LMCC.
Further support for UP Theater comes from the Miranda Family Fund and The Medical Center Neighborhood Fund.
Renewal Reading Series - Part II
All Readings at 7pm at Ft. Washington Collegiate Church 729 W. 181st St.
February 19th
Lost Sock Laundry by Ivan Faute
directed by Kirby Fields
February 26th
Two Truths and a Lie by Cate Wiley
directed by Leslie Burby
March 5th
It Happened in Jefferson Square by Cris Eli Blak
directed by Angelle Wavers
March 12th
Twisted Deaths by Shannon TL Kearns
directed by Gregory Wolfe
We are living in interesting times...
Dear Friend,
Congratulations on making it through another year! 2021 started in a social bubble and tentatively moved toward vaxxed and masked in-person gatherings with people you hadn’t seen in real life for far too long. The highlight of our year was once again getting to see you!
We started 2021 resolved to do two things: one, resume doing what we do best, namely develop new work; and two, do so on a platform other than Zoom! Which is how we found ourselves in February filming a reading of Kevin Kautzman’s timely and disturbing play, Moderation, which was viewed over 500 times on our YouTube channel. It felt great to be working in person with actors again, even if we didn’t yet have a live audience.
That changed when we produced a reading of an excerpt from Lizzie Donahue’s A Barn Play at Dyckman Farm House in June. As you may recall, the full production of the play was postponed in March 2020, and we were honored to welcome back the original actors and creative team for the readings. We played to two capacity houses and enjoyed robust talk-backs with members of Dyckman House’s education staff.
We amped up our live programming in the fall, when we presented a reading of Matt Schatz’s The Tallest Building in the World, a play about the creation of the World Trade Center, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. In October, on four consecutive Saturdays, we presented readings of new plays that had been canceled or indefinitely postponed because of Covid as part of our Renewal Reading Series. These events were hosted by familiar partners (Buunni!) and new friends (Cornerstone Center!).
And we also continued producing some of our favorite discoveries from our remote programming: Radio Plays! We produced four surreal Escape! episodes in the early spring, which have so far garnered a thousand listens on YouTube, and we recorded a special holiday episode of Richard Diamond, featuring many of your favorite characters, available now on the UP Theater Channel.
We cannot wait to continue this trajectory in 2022, when we bring you even more Renewal readings, when we finally give A Barn Play the full production that it deserves this spring, and when we celebrate at The Hudson at our Onward & UPward! Gala on May 19, 2022.
None of this would be possible without your support. This holiday season, if you are able to do so, please consider donating to UP Theater so we can continue bringing you the provocative, entertaining, boundary-pushing theater you have come to expect. Donations are tax deductible and can be made via our website or by mailing a check. Just click that big red button below for instructions.
We can’t wait to see you in 2022.
Sincerely,
Kirby Fields, Artistic Director
Renewal Reading Series
October 2nd
Allies by Michael John McGoldrick
directed by James Bosley
Buunni Cafe, Inwood
October 9th
The Best Damn Thing by Hanna Kime
directed by Ashley O’Neill
Buunni Café, Inwood
October 16th
Paper Chains by Loretta Oleck
directed by Nina Mehta
The Cornerstone Center, Washington Heights
October 23rd
Thoughts and Prayers by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich
directed by Rachael Murray
The Cornerstone Center, Washington Heights
Escape with Four New UP Radio Plays!
Tired of the everyday grind? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? UP Theater offers you… ESCAPE!
Listen to all 4 episodes HERE
The Black Curtain - premiered May 9, 2021
You are lost in a city you don’t recognize, without a friend, unable to remember your own name. Hunted by a man you don’t even know, a deadly little man with grey eyes and a gun, from whom there is no -- ESCAPE!
Written by Cornell Woolrich * Directed by Doug Bost Sound Design & Engineering by David Margolin Lawson Transcribed by Sophia Cacace-Flynn
Featuring:
Carolyn Baeumler, James Bosley, Doug Bost, Martin Collins, Kirby Fields, Peter Flihan, Laura Fois, Devin Haqq, Nina Mehta, Jeff Ward
I Saw Myself Running - premiered May 16, 2021
You are standing in inky blackness looking up a long flight of stairs, at the top of which lurks something unbelievably evil. Out of the moving shadows behind you, coming closer to you, is a shadowy figure from which you must -- ESCAPE!
Written by Antony Ellis * Directed by Gregory Wolfe Sound Design & Engineering by David Margolin Lawson Transcribed by Ashley O’Neill
Featuring:
Elizabeth Bell, Joe Burby, Sarah Kiefer, James Wolfe
Finger of Doom - premiered May 23, 2021
You are searching frantically through the dark, empty rooms of an apartment. Panic gripping at your heart. Terror at your heels. For the woman you love, who was with you a moment before, has vanished. As if into thin air. You feel trapped in a nightmare from which you cannot -- ESCAPE!
Written by Cornell Woolrich * Directed by Gregory Wolfe Sound Design & Engineering by David Margolin Lawson Transcribed by James Bosley
Featuring:
Mary Albert, Ciaran Byrne, Kirby Fields, Laura Fois, Stacey Scotte, Rik Walter, Jeff Ward, Gregory Wolfe
The Bride Wore Black - premiered June 1, 2021
You are standing on the steps of a church, still dressed for your wedding. And in your arms is your loved one. Bleeding. Dead. Murdered by men you’ve never seen before. And you know you must not let those killers -- ESCAPE!
Written by Cornell Woolrich * Adapted for radio by Paul Monash Directed by Doug Bost Sound Design & Engineering by David Margolin Lawson Transcribed by James Bosley
Featuring:
Doug Bost, Joe Burby, Jonah Fields, Peter Flihan, Laura Fois, Nikaury Rodriguez, Rik Walter, Jeff Ward
UP Radio Plays are supported in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council
"Moderation" by Kevin Kautzman - Premiered on our YouTube channel March 21, 2021
“A perfect show for our times."
UP Theater Company presents a reading of: MODERATION
a new play by Kevin Kautzman directed by Christian Parker
A story of two low-level employees at a content-moderation firm, the play explores the degree to which their minds are infected by the lies and depravity that permeate contemporary society, from Bigfoot to QAnon!
Featuring: Mary Albert & Michael Bakkensen
Filmed entirely -- and safely -- on location at 809 Restaurant in Inwood, NYC.
Watch it here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqGPvt12e9w
Production Staff:
Director for the Camera: Kirby Fields
Cinematographer: Duane Pagano
Sound Designer: David Margolin Lawson
Editor: Patrick Avella
Music: Kevin MacLeod
Producers: Laura Fois Bosley, Rik Walter