Theater News

Algonquin Theater Productions Takes Over Blue Heron Space

Algonquin Theater Productions, a not-for-profit company, has taken over the lease of the Blue Heron Theatre at 123 East 24th Street, and renamed the venue The Algonquin Theater.

Algonquin will invest $100,000 to renovate the space to create a more elegant, stylized lobby and theater. This theater contains two performing venues. The Kaufman, with 99 seats, will house Algonquin productions and co-productions on a professional level; the second, The Parker, with 45 seats, will be offered mainly for rental, as will The Algonquin’s rehearsal spaces. In addition, Algonquin plans to initiate a program for children’s theater.

The company, which was founded in 2004, is made up of some 50 actors, playwrights, directors and other theatrical professionals. It is led by artistic director Tony Sportiello.

Among the shows being considered for production at the Kaufman are the musical Sessions, written by Al Tapper, Shel Silverstein’s The Devil and Billy Markham, and Levy Lee Simon’s Same Train.