Address | 59 E 59th St New York |
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Owner | Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation |
Type | Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway |
Capacity | Theater A 196, Theater B 98, Theater C 50–70, respectively |
Construction | |
Opened | 2004 |
Architect | Leo Modrcin |
Website | |
http://www.59e59.org |
59E59 Theaters is theater complex located in New York City, USA that shows both Off-Broadway (in theater A) and Off-Off-Broadway plays (in theaters B and C). It consists of three theater spaces or stages. The complex is owned and operated by the Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation that is dedicated to bringing innovative and experimental work to the under-served East Side of Manhattan. The theater opened in 2004 with the Primary Stages production of The Stendahl Syndrome.
59E59 presents the New York premieres of Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions by not-for-profit companies from across the United States and from around the world. The complex hosts two annual festivals: Brits Off Broadway, which brings new work from British playwrights to New York, and East to Edinburgh, a preview of new plays going to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from North America. 59E59's inaugural 5A Season began in June 2014 with The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Comprising five productions in Theater A, the season aims to showcase the best new American and international writing.
In 2008, 59E59 Theaters was awarded a Drama Desk Award for Excellence in Theater.
Brits Off Broadway is an annual theater festival that showcases work from the United Kingdom. Festival usual takes place during the months of April, May, and June and comprises between 6 and 12 productions across the three theater spaces. Charles Isherwood of the New York Times hailed the festival as "a highlight of the theatrical year in New York." Past seasons have seen work by Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and Alan Ayckbourn (The Norman Conquests, Bedroom Farce) amongst other notable British playwrights.
Coordinates: 40°45′48″N 73°58′14″W / 40.763442°N 73.970489°W