‘Building the Wall’ Opening Night lobby, New World Stages, NY
The ground-breaking journey of Robert Schenkkan’s new play, Building the Wall, achieved another milestone on Sunday, May 21, when it opened Off-Broadway at New World Stages in New York.
The powerful new political play dramatizing the dire tragic consequences of the Trump administration’s policy on immigration was launched March 18 at the Fountain Theatre in a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The still-running Fountain production, directed by Michael Michetti and featuring Bo Foxworth and Judith Moreland, is earning rave reviews and sold-out houses. It has been extended to June 18th.
The just-opened NY production is directed by Ari Edelson, featuring James Badge Dale and Tamara Tunie. Variety hails the play as “Riveting! It runs to July 9th.
Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs flew to New York for the Off-Broadway opening. He was joined by Nan Barnett, Executive Director of the National New Play Network. The lobby at New World Stages was packed with press, well-wishers and NY theatre and TV folk. Actor Bryan Cranston, who won the Tony Award for playing LBJ in Schenkkan’s All the Way on Broadway and starred in the HBO movie, was there enjoying the evening. The lobby buzzed with excitement in anticipation of seeing the new work. A cake and champagne reception toasted the event after the performance.
Stephen Sachs and Robert Schenkkan on Opening Night at New World Stages, NY.
Building the Wall marks the second time a new play that premiered at the Fountain Theatre has opened Off-Broadway. The Fountain production of Exits and Entrances by Athol Fugard opened at Primary Stages in 2007. Several new plays created and launched by the Fountain have been produced in theaters across the United States and throughout the world.
“It’s thrilling when a new play premieres at the Fountain and then becomes part of the canon of the American Theatre ,” says Sachs. “The Fountain continues to successfully add it’s voice to the national conversation on timely issues of our country.”
