CUSTOM MADE IN NYC
The Custom Made Theatre Company is active in New York, as well as San Francisco. Maintaining relationships with San Francisco alumni and cultivating new artist collaborations, Custom Made offers readings, films, and even full productions in NYC. Keep an eye on this page for upcoming events.
Our reading series will pick up again in March 2017. Stay tuned for more details.
Recently presented events include Gary Cremean’s New Canula, our 2nd annual Directed by Women Short Film Fest, and Stuart Bousel’s Twins.
CUSTOM MADE OFF-BROADWAY
In March 2017, Custom Made is thrilled to make its Off-Broadway debut at 59E59 with Gino DiIorio’s Sam & Dede, or My Dinner with Andre the Giant which received its world premiere at our SF home this past winter.
Featuring the original cast of San Francisco’s Dave Sikula as Samuel Beckett and NY-based Brendan Averett* as Andre the Giant, this “total delight” (Theatre Eddys) of a new play that “spins comic gold,” (Horwitz, For All Events) was invited by 59E59 Theaters to make its NYC premiere this spring. Performances start March 9th and run through April 1st – click here for info. and tickets.
The Off-Broadway run, made possible by executive producers William and Ruth Isenberg and features work by the San Francisco production’s artists, including Beth Hall (stage management), Maxx Kurzunski (lighting), Ryan Lee Short (sound), Brooke Jennings (costumes), Erik LaDue (scenic), Florence McCafferty (props), and Jon Bailey (fight choreography), as well as NYC production designer Dara Wishingrad. Custom Made executive director, Leah S. Abrams, continues to direct the play.
Custom Made has been involved with Sam and Dede since the beginning, presenting its first public reading in collaboration with the cell in NYC. From there, the company produced a later draft reading in San Francisco; submitted it to the National New Play Network’s (NNPN) annual Showcase of New Plays where it was a finalist and picked up by NNPN member company, Kitchen Dog, for their New Works Festival; and recently closed the world premiere at the company’s San Francisco Union Square home where it was hailed by critics as “intelligent, witty, and bright.” (Connema, Talkin’ Broadway)
San Francisco critics have noted about Sam and Dede:
- “Brendan Averett and Dave Sikula are brilliant as André and Samuel Beckett… Leah S. Abrams beautifully and smoothly directs.” –Richard Connema, Talkin’ Broadway
- “Rarely have I heard an opening night audience laughing with such glee at a new play, clearly wanting more.” –Barry Horwitz, For All Events
- All (playwright, director, designers, actors) combine forces for several of the most fascinating, final minutes that I have recently (and maybe ever) spent in a theatre.” –Theatre Eddys
This series of scenes between a giant – a man who cannot hide, and a writer obsessed with silence, in a world as absurd as a Beckett play, finds its next life with NYC audiences this spring.
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
