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Indie Filmmaker Page Purchases Actors' Playhouse; Reality Show in the
Works
By Andrew Gans
and Kenneth Jones
23 Sep 2008
Lawrence Page
Page, who has directed music videos for Jay-Z, is also currently filming a reality TV program entitled
"The Actors' Playhouse." Ten competitors, who will be split into two five-person groups, will have the
opportunity to write, produce and star in their own Off-Broadway play, which will be presented at the
Actors' Playhouse for a three-week run. The two groups of playwrights will live in two separate
houses, and they will be filmed as they develop, rehearse and promote their show.
The play attended by the largest audience will be selected the winner, and the winning group will split a
$5,000 cash prize.
Internet Off-Broadway Database lists productions at the venue from 1956, including stagings of The
Only Worse Thing You Could Have Told Me (1995), Howard Crabtree's Whoop-Dee-Doo (1993), Safe
Sex (1991), Reno in Rage and Rehab (1989), Ten Percent Revue (1988), What's a Nice Country Like
You...Doing in a State Like This? (1985), An Evening with Quentin Crisp (1983), Torch Song Trilogy
(1982), Marry Me a Little (1981), Meets Boy (1975), Fortune and Men's Eyes
Works
By Andrew Gans
and Kenneth Jones
23 Sep 2008
Lawrence Page
Page, who has directed music videos for Jay-Z, is also currently filming a reality TV program entitled
"The Actors' Playhouse." Ten competitors, who will be split into two five-person groups, will have the
opportunity to write, produce and star in their own Off-Broadway play, which will be presented at the
Actors' Playhouse for a three-week run. The two groups of playwrights will live in two separate
houses, and they will be filmed as they develop, rehearse and promote their show.
The play attended by the largest audience will be selected the winner, and the winning group will split a
$5,000 cash prize.
Internet Off-Broadway Database lists productions at the venue from 1956, including stagings of The
Only Worse Thing You Could Have Told Me (1995), Howard Crabtree's Whoop-Dee-Doo (1993), Safe
Sex (1991), Reno in Rage and Rehab (1989), Ten Percent Revue (1988), What's a Nice Country Like
You...Doing in a State Like This? (1985), An Evening with Quentin Crisp (1983), Torch Song Trilogy
(1982), Marry Me a Little (1981), Meets Boy (1975), Fortune and Men's Eyes
Independent filmmaker Lawrence Page — whose films include
"Confessions of A Call Girl," "Blood of a Champion," "Statistic" and
"Murda Muzik" — has purchased the famed Off-Broadway venue, the
Actors' Playhouse, most recently the home of Gutenberg! The Musical!
The theatre had shuttered in summer 2007 due to increased rents. The
32-year-old Page plans to present his own productions for 20 percent of
the year, but will lease the theatre out the other 80 percent for Off-
Broadway plays, red-carpet events, seminars, television and musical
performances.
The theatre, located at 100 Seventh Avenue South in New York's
Greenwich Village, has been renovated since its last tenant. Page,
according to a spokesperson, "removed the typical 'black box' decor and
stripped the walls down to their original brick and stone. New flooring
was installed, the stage was reinforced and mahogany wood trimming
was installed. A new landmark-approved marquee is coming soon, and
new water-proof ceilings were installed."
(1967 and 1987), Blood Wedding (1958), I Am A Camera (1956), He Who Gets Slapped (1956), among
many others.
For more information about the Actors' Playhouse, call (212) 255-6452.
many others.
For more information about the Actors' Playhouse, call (212) 255-6452.
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