About This Show
theAtrainplays is a popular, consistently sold-out theatrical event. Produced by Atrainproductions in association with the Workshop at the Neighborhood Playhouse, the shows are a celebration of New York, created by six teams while traveling the entire route of the A train from 207th Street & Broadway to Far Rockaway.
On Wednesday afternoon, September 10th, three librettists will hop on the A train at 207th Street and begin writing the books for three 15-minute musicals, all set on the A train. Before each of the teams begin their journeys, they pick a number between 3-5 to set the number of characters, then chose that number of headshots through a blind draw to determine who is in each piece. When the librettists reach the Far Rockaway stop, they randomly select their collaborative lyricists, composers and choreographers, who have been awaiting their arrival at a nearby McDonalds! At Far Rockaway, 3 playwrights join the train for the journey back to 207th Street while creating their own 10 minute one-act plays, also set on the A train. Six directors meet the creators at 207th Street and they all proceed to Columbus Circle where they meet the pre-selected actors, decipher their scribbles, copy the scripts and begin rehearsals. They have until show time THE NEXT DAY, Thursday night, September 11th at 8:00 p.m. to develop these works into the 6 exciting new theatrical experiences to be shared with the audience at the Neighborhood Playhouse. As if this isn’t enough, while the show is going on Thursday evening, 6 more teams, following the aforementioned controlled mayhem, are creating their Atrainplays for Friday night, September 12th!
Series 1: Thursday, 9/11/03, 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9/13/03, 7:00 p.m., Sunday, 9/14/03, 2:00 p.m.
Series 2: Friday, 9/12/03, 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9/13/03, 9:00 p.m., Sunday, 9/14/03, 4:00 p.m.
Proceeds from the September 11, 2003 performance will benefit the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children Benefit Fund.
Proceeds from all other performances will benefit the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.