Sabbath's Theater
adapted from the novel by Philip Roth
by Ariel Levy and John Turturro
directed by Jo Bonney
October 10, 2023
The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre The Pershing Square Signature Center 480 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
Overview
Philip Roth’s fearlessly filthy, funny and moving novel takes the stage in this new play from Ariel Levy and John Turturro.
When his secret life of debauchery comes to a heartbreaking end, disgraced puppet maker Mickey Sabbath plunges into increasingly mad and maddening encounters with people from his wild and wicked past. Part ghost story, part love story, Sabbath’s Theater unleashes Roth’s power to shock and amaze in this profound meditation on mortality and juicy celebration of life.
John Turturro takes on the title role of Mickey Sabbath. Elizabeth Marvel plays his mistress, the erotic free-spirit Drenka, and others. Jason Kravits plays Matijia, and others. Jo Bonney directs.
Published in 1995, Sabbath’s Theater, won that year’s National Book Award and was a finalist for the 1996 Pulitzer Prize.
What drew us to adapting the filthiest of Philip Roth’s novels? Its morality. Its tenderness. Its comic intensity. The deep exploration of our human frailties, our repulsiveness, our vulnerability, our grief, our contradictions and our capacity for love.
Creative Team
Ariel Levy
Playwright
Jo Bonney
DirectorPhilip Roth
AuthorArnulfo Maldonado
Scenic & Costume DesignJeff Croiter
Lighting DesignMikaal Sulaiman
Sound DesignAlex Basco Koch
Projection DesignerErik Sanko
Shadow Puppet DesignKelly Devine
ChoreographerJ. Jared Janas
Wig and Makeup DesignKate Wilson
Dialect CoachJudy Henderson, CSA
CastingValerie A. Peterson
Production Stage ManagerStephen Michael Varnado
Assistant Stage ManagerGroup Sales
Interested in bringing a group of 10 or more? Please contact Anthony Colòn, our Manager of Ticketing and Audience Services at [email protected]
Accessibility at The Theater
The Pershing Square Signature Center is wheelchair accessible. Please email our box office at [email protected] with any questions.
Box OFfice Hours
The New Group’s Box Office is available by phone, email or in person at The Pershing Square Signature Center:
- Tuesdays-Thursdays: 12 PM – 5 PM
- Saturdays: 2:30 PM – 5 PM
- Sunday-Monday: Closed
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Gallery
Sabbath’s Theater is made possible in part by the generous support of Salman & Vienn Al-Rashid. Support for Sabbath’s Theater is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Richard Pechter, and David Smart Stone, Smart Family Foundation of New York.
Open Caption service is provided in part by a grant from NYSCA/TDF TAP Plus. Captioning by C2.
Generous support for The New Group is provided by The Shubert Foundation and The Howard Gilman Foundation. The New Group’s productions are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. The New Group’s productions are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.