Vortex Theater Company Explained

The Vortex Theater Company was founded in 1983 by playwright, director, and actor Robert Coles[1] and was originally dedicated to the mission of presenting new works by emerging playwrights.

Sanford Meisner Theater

In 1984, the company built its performance space in what had been an empty storefront loft at 164 Eleventh Avenue[2] in a then-deserted part of far west Chelsea. In 1985 The Vortex's space was named the Sanford Meisner Theater in honor of the famed acting teacher. Tony Randall served as master of ceremonies for the naming ceremony and many of Sandy's former students and peers attended, performed, or spoke, including David Mamet, Bob Fosse, Maureen Stapleton, Anne Jackson, Eli Wallach, Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, Frances Sternhagen.

The Sanford Meisner Theater hosted performances by hundreds of different arts groups including not only theater but music, dance, and opera companies as well. Other playwrights and performers whose work has been presented by the Vortex Theater Company include Nicky Silver, Jim Fall, David Greenspan, Patricia Scanlon, Don Nigro, and Bathsheba Doran.

Under new leadership in 2004 after the death of managing director Anthony John Lizzul[1] the Vortex changed its mission to creating a diverse range of classical structures reconstructed for a contemporary audience. Focusing on unconventional theatrical experiences, the Vortex produced over 20 shows and garnered two Drama Desk Award nominations, and six New York Innovative Theatre Award Nominations.

NYC Halloween Haunted House

The NYC Halloween Haunted House was a year-round haunted attraction in New York City. Opened in 2009, the haunted house was designed exclusively for adults 18 and over, and each patron is forced to sign a waiver and walk through the entire experience completely alone. The NYCHHH was known for producing an invitation only off-season spring/summer attraction named the "Midsummer Nightmare", as well as creating controversy with its liberal use of violence and aggressive sexual content.[3] "America's horror magazine" FANGORIA called it a "finely tuned tour de force in terror and a must for horror enthusiasts in the New York City area." And in its 2010 year-end round-up, The New York Times declared the haunted house: "the extreme theater event of the year." The NYC Halloween Haunted House is produced by the Vortex Theater Company and created and designed by Josh Randall and Kristjan Thor.[4] Earlier versions included:

Other Past Productions

Notes and References

  1. News: Jones . Kenneth . Anthony John Lizzul, Character Actor and Fixture at Off-Off-Broadway's Vortex Theatre, Dead at 48 . 7 May 2021 . Playbill . 3 March 2004.
  2. Web site: Vortex Theater Company: Sanford Meisner Theater - SpaceFinder NYC . 2017-07-30 . 2017-07-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170730110633/https://nyc.spacefinder.org/spaces/3572 . dead .
  3. Web site: Haunted House (Vortex Theater) . 2009 . TheaterMania.com . TheaterMania.com, Inc. . https://web.archive.org/web/20170730051850/http://www.theatermania.com/off-off-broadway/shows/haunted-house-vortex-theater_157746/ . 30 July 2017 . live . 30 July 2017.
  4. News: Haunted Houses Profit by Going to Extremes. The New York Times. 21 October 2010. Zinoman. Jason.
  5. News: Neil . Genzlinger . 28 May 2009 . A Creepy, Crawly Mystery in the Dark . The New York Times . 31 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170731025402/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/theater/reviews/29mids.html . 31 July 2017 . live.
  6. . 22 September 1986 . A Slow Boat in Deep Water . New York Magazine . 19 . 37 . 185 . 0028-7369 . 30 July 2017.
  7. . 17 June 2011 . When Gritty Meets Pretty: Gary Lennon's The Interlopers directed by Jim Fall . @ This Stage Times . LA STAGE Alliance . 31 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604043004/https://thisstage.la/2011/06/when-gritty-meets-pretty-gary-lennons-the-interlopers-directed-by-jim-fall/ . 4 June 2016 . live.
  8. Book: Silver . Nicky . Nicky Silver . 25 October 2015 . Etiquette and Vitriol: The Food Chain and Other Plays . Theatre Communications Group . 9781559367608 . 30 July 2017.
  9. . 27 June 1994 . Cute Boys in Their Underpants Fight the Evil Trolls . New York Magazine . 27 . 26 . 157 . 0028-7369 . 30 July 2017.
  10. Web site: GISELA CARDENAS . 2023-12-17.
  11. News: On the Stage of the Blind . . 8 May 2005 . The New York Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20150529175618/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/theater/newsandfeatures/on-the-stage-of-the-blind.html . 29 May 2015 . live . 30 July 2017.
  12. Web site: Off-Off-Broadway Honors, NY Innovative Theatre Awards, Presented to Winners Sept. 18 . Ernio . Hernandez . 19 September 2006 . Playbill . Playbill Inc. . https://web.archive.org/web/20170730204359/http://www.playbill.com/article/off-off-broadway-honors-ny-innovative-theatre-awards-presented-to-winners-sept-18-com-135022 . 30 July 2017 . live . 30 July 2017.
  13. News: 'In Delirium' at the Meisner Theater: New Take on Werther . Honor . Moore . 7 April 2006 . The New York Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20170730203547/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/07/theater/reviews/in-delirium-at-the-meisner-theater-new-take-on-werther.html . 30 July 2017 . live . 30 July 2017.
  14. Web site: Musical Kiss of the Spider Woman Returns to NYC Via Vortex Theatre Co. . Ernio . Hernandez . 20 July 2007 . Playbill . Playbill Inc. . https://web.archive.org/web/20170730222638/http://www.playbill.com/article/musical-kiss-of-the-spider-woman-returns-to-nyc-via-vortex-theatre-co-com-142398 . 30 July 2017 . live . 30 July 2017.
  15. News: Review: 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' . Steven . Suskin . 17 September 2017 . Variety . Variety Media, LLC . https://web.archive.org/web/20170730224004/http://variety.com/2007/legit/reviews/kiss-of-the-spider-woman-10-1200556266/ . 30 July 2017 . live . 30 July 2017.

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