We stopped in for a fun, yet bittersweet, event — full of tributes, performances and an “end of the road” party with the Living Theatre last night. John Clancy (founder of The Present Company that created the NY International Fringe Festival) read from his one man show. Penny Arcade performed. There was a special screening of Love and Politics, the documentary about co-founder/living legend Judith Malina. And then we were treated to a special midnight encore performance of “Here We Are,” the group’s last show on Clinton Street and Ms. Malina’s last show before going in to retirement.
After many trials and tribulations involving rent negotiations and fundraisers, the Living Theatre is moving out of their home at 21 Clinton St., with a new location still to be determined. Ms. Malina, at 86 years old, will be moving to the Lillian Booth home for retired artists in New Jersey.
Participating as audience members at the Living Theatre is always a highly interactive experience, but last night felt unique. Company members took us on a journey through historical anarchist revolutions, made us sandals, danced with us and encouraged us to define a peaceful vision of future revolutions for ourselves.
Executive Producer and actor Brad Burgess has told us he has high hopes of keeping the company in the neighborhood, but is of course focused on paying lower rent. However the company evolves, we look forward to participating in all future exploits in the theatre’s “Beautiful Non-Violent Anarchist Revolution.”
