I am rating La MaMa based on the concept alone. The actual event I attended there was not quite what I thought it was going to be, but I don't regret attending. I attended "Jupiter Invincible." I thought it was going to be a play, but it turned out to be a comic book reading with voice actors. And that wasn't what I expected, but was still very interesting. And the voice actors were talented and entertaining. Where things went sort of south is that the event was sold as 7-9 PM, but it lasted a little less than an hour. They only read the first of four comics. My thought is that they had planned the second hour for an author talk, but the author couldn't make it. That being said, the staff were super nice. So nice that the producers of the event contacted me later because when I bought my ticket, the price was 20 dollars. When the event price changed to 10 dollars (and really, that's a bargain), they made sure to refund me 10 dollars. They didn't have to do that, but they did. Again, the content was interesting and experimental, it's just an hour is an awfully short period of time, especially if you aren't coming from the immediate vicinity. It is a small theater space, so there isn't a bad seat in the house. They aren't folding chairs as some reported, at least in the theater I was in. They are pretty nice straight back chairs with velour or a similar material. I wasn't uncomfortable. They have a lot of edgy and experimental theater here, so I can't help but support them. They also do a lot of workshops and community events. I'll be interested to see what they come up with next. Regardless of short running time, the show inspired me to check out the rest of the "Jupiter Invincible" series. read more

La MaMa - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I saw Zombie Asian Mom's and it was hysterical. It's a two person show but you'll be entertained from the beginning till the end and if you're Asian American, whom grew up in a traditional immagrant house hold struggling to assimilate, then you would be able to relate to the narrative. I can't wait for the documentary!!! read more

La MaMa - Zombie Asian Mom's - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Small theater in the East Village. Beware that there is more than small theater in the are so make sure you have the correct address. Seats are folding chairs so you will not be comfortable. From a view perspective, there is not a bad seat in the house. The price is right though compared to Broadway and even some other off Broadway venues. Getting in and out is a breeze since it's a small space. read more

Boobs, dicks, asses, heart shaped bushes no matter what body part your going to expose, just showing it does not make you sexy or radical or interesting and it certainly doesn't make you a character. All of that comes from inside, it comes from your brain. And just being naked or buffed out or even gorgeous doesn't make you memorable. I thought of all this watching Caligula Maximus at La MaMa ETC. The show had its ups and down's. It had a very clichéd golden penis that Caligula arrived on, that was a down. It had a very enticing aerial performer Anya Sapozhnikova, an up. But what it had most of all was a company of wanna-be exhibitionists. I went to see this show because I wanted to see genuine debauchery. I wanted to feel turned on and off and dirty all at the same time, I wanted to experience big justified artistic risks and be inspired by them as well as shocked. I wanted to be embarrassed with a little wow factor thrown in for good measure. Caligula Maximus wanted to give me that experience but it fell short. Ryan Knowles as Caligula and Tim Dax as Germanicus, Incitatus stood out. Ryan carried most of the production with the confidence and balls out risk taking his character deserves, while Tim made a background character someone to watch. Unfortunately the rest of the company felt forgettable and generic. This show reminded me there are no small parts. Every moment an actor is on stage no matter if they are pole dancing topless or cast as third spear-carrier to the left in a Shakespeare production they have to have a character, otherwise they are just a prop or set dressing that moves. The truly great artists justify every second they are on stage no matter what they are called on to do. That's why acting is exhausting. I could see the direction in this production, "roll around naked", "pose", "be scary" but did anybody find out why their character was doing it? If they had I would have believed it and in turn not thought about it, I would have been too busy wiping my brow from the feeling of "wow is it hot in here". I would love to see this production go farther. Get a cast more experienced and come back. Shock me next time, I know you want to. read more

La MaMa - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

It's hard to know where to begin writing about La MaMa, since it's such a big part of the neighborhood. They have a few separate theaters in the neighborhood, as well as rehearsal studios--which I've used recently. La MaMa was started in October 1961 by Ellen Stewart, who died in early 2011 at the age of 91. Harvey Fierstein has said of her, "As anyone with any knowledge of theatre knows, she changed the world." (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/146630-Ellen-Stewart-Off-Off-Broadway-Beacon-and-Founder-of-La-Mama-Dies-at-91) It remains a vibrant hub of culture and one of the things that make the East Village such a great place to be. read more

La MaMa - The rehearsal studios at La Mama hold some surprises--including dolls with dicks. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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I took my 9 year old daughter here for a puppet workshop. It was fantastic, fun and educational. The workshop was in the main theatre area where they do performances and it was hands on for the small group of kids that the puppeteers entertained. The staff was very nice and sweet and attentive. They did a great job combining and educational experience about cranes with hands on and fun learning. All the kids were smiles, laughing, and excited. The best part for parents is that parents are free of charge, while kids are only $8. Id bring my daughter back here over and over. I am interested in seeing their shows. read more

La MaMa - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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I had a great time at this show. My friend and I got free tickets from goldstar. Everyone was amazingly talented and the energy onstage was incredible. Admittedly, as a Sarah Lawerence alum and previous Rocky Horror shadowcast director, I wasn't shocked by anything and enjoyed the very diverse audience there. read more

We saw Indigo Room there. It was phenomenal. This is what theater is all about! Such an amazing production. It draws the audience it and makes us think. read more

Another one of your underground theater spaces in NYC. I came here for a special presentation I was writing a review for on my blog. The space itself is very small but is definitely a good setting for intimate, smaller performances. My event also had free food and beverage so that was a great thing. The staff here also helped me get where I needed to go to see the show very easily & I was happy to see I'd not missed anything though I arrived a little later than expected. Definitely a must see if you get to see a show or an event here. read more

Great theatre i love their show roster. Plus they whole vibe there is pretty cool. But they need more bathrooms. As in, they have 2 toilets for a 200 person house. read more

I went to see 2 episodes of Room for Cream, which is a lesbian soap opera filled with overacting, melodrama, even lesbian vampires. It was deliciously trashy and I had a great time. People were really nice, even some of the actors were casually talking to me. It's a really great space, and since it's experimental theater, the audience was kind of part of the set. Great sound system, totally equipped for pro lighting. The stage did look kind of shabby, but that's all good. They served beer and drinks and free pretzels. It was a fun time and so cozy! I'll definitely go back. read more

Saw Mulan there. The the venue was legitimate, customer service at the bar came with a smile (Pinot was lovely), the bathrooms were decent but not spotless. Parking in the area on a Wednesday night was doable. We had front row center seats so I can speak about the leg room. And of course the show was soooo much fun! The Red Poppy Ladies are powerful and entertaining! We highly suggest experiencing the show in the first three rows to actually feel the sonic vibration of the drums. read more

La MaMa - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Dingy, dirty, makeshift - as it should be! That grime you see? It's called history. Yes, your legs may be asleep due to the uncomfortable chairs, but where else are you going to see a production like the one you are watching right now? The Ellen Stewart Theater is an enormous open space where just about anything is possible. And is. read more

This is a great space. It is the kind of place the east village used to be all about. I'm glad it's here. The show I saw was great and the atmosphere was chill and full of love. I'll be coming here more often. read more

La MaMa - Human beatbox festival. Freakin amazing! - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

The theater is only as good as the performance. I had a good time there, saw God of Vengeance. Its a good home for small artsy productions. I saw in the first row, on a typical folding chair. Small vestibule. read more

Ummm.... I guess a review of the venue should be separately considered from the review of the show I saw there. But it's inevitable that they would effect each other. I saw "Hamlet" by Company East here the other day, and although it breaks my heart to say anything bad about smaller theater productions, it was pretty lame. I'm starting to think that a common theme in Japanese art is "arbitrariness." Anyway, the seats were basically plastic pipe chairs on a huge flight of wooden stairs. The stage is just a wide open space. The waiting area, as well, was pretty shabby looking. I understand smaller theater houses don't have a lot of money, and it's tough times, but I feel like they could do SOMETHING to make it feel more welcoming. Hopefully, I'll see a better production here in the future. read more

What a truly horrible production I just saw at La Mama. 'Dvorak in America Marionette Theatre' was the most God-awful play I have ever seen. First, the large audience had to wait in a small hot room until 20 minutes after the show was supposed to begin. So the show actually started more than 1/2 hour late. It turns out we were waiting for worthless dribble. The play itself was completely nonsensical, boring, difficult to hear, poorly written , with amateurish acting and didn't really include marionettes !! We all went because we thought it would be an expert production of East European marionettes. But no marionettes to speak of! I hope no one else wastes his/her money on this complete junk. My party and I were luckily able to escape after a while because we had aisle seats. read more

I went here for an Odissi show in the Drive East festival of Indian music and dance. Though small and stuffy, the theater is well-designed enough so that everyone has a decent view. I will be returning for several more shows as the festival runs through Sunday. read more

Great intimate experimental opera theater. Production is spare but expertly and cleverly done. Musicians are excellent and the singers/actors are often excellent. read more

I've only seen three performances here so far, and they had more differentiating them than tying them together, but some generalizations can be made. The productions here won't necessarily be the most professional, but tend to be something different, a bit off the beaten path. Always worth looking into, but at this price point, don't expect the Metropolitan Opera. read more

I like this venue. I like the setup of the audience area, where some seats are up a level and safely away from any performers coming into the audience. . . and if you want to be up close and personal there are seats/tables lining the catwalk to the stage where the performers enter and exit (i guess depending on the show you're seeing). At the show I saw "Those Beautiful Weimar Girls", an actor naked from the waist down sat on an audience member's lap, an actress rubbed her breasts in another audience members face. There's a small bar as you walk in to the theatre and they actually warn you of your last chance to get a drink before the show starts. There was a nice introduction by an employee of the theatre and it was just a very cool, communal, alternative NYC vibe. The show, btw, was really good. read more

well, I had a different opinion than the others. I saw Mulan here a week ago. Review follows of that. but the theatre? the seats were so close ( and not comfortable) that the mans dread locks in front of me were dangling on my legs ! and I am only 5foot 2. picture that. NOT a theatre I would go to again unless I could have empty seats around me. well, the show opens strong, the girls drumming is fabulous. and some of the visuals fun.. but much of the short show was hokey, or at least I found it that way. Perhaps I have traveled too much, and seen too many fabulous things for $ 5 in other countries( such as China). The girls are perhaps proficient musicians, but the poorly done juvenile theatrics left me surprised and disappointed. yes, I know that some was deliberate, but.... Next I was sitting very close. Many times I did not even see the drumsticks hitting the drum. hmmm. why? and how the sound? Perhaps much is recorded and this makes for an intense listening experience during those few powerful numbers.. but...? I'd love to hear what others think if they look closely. next One of the reasons I went is because of the referencing to their performing in the ceremonies of the Olympics in 2008....It didn't occur to me, as it does in retrospect, that they wereonly a handful among thousands of performers there ? next the price through goldstar is not special. it is all over. I doubt anyone pays a dollar more than $ 24... lastly there were less than 100 people in theatre, and everyone jockeyed around for seats as soon as curtain went up. the uncomfortable seats are too close to each other, the man's hair in front of me,, was dangling on my legs!!!. I am only 5 foot 2. the tall people especially moved into other seats immediately. read more

Great food.. Beef randang was amazing! One of the few places to visit for authentic Malaysian food.

Great space and innovative plays. I saw a musical based on the life and times of Caligula. Was such a fun time and it was setup like a circus/burlesque show. Would definitely go back for an interesting experience at a reasonable price. read more

I saw Mulan the Musical here. Really, I want to write a review about the musical. It was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend anyone else go to see it. The venue itself is great for a small playhouse. No complains. read more

We went to see Judith Sloan's Yo Miss this past Sunday. Not sure about how everybody else feels, but the place is an amalgam of what I value the most for theatre and performing arts: intimacy, intensity and if not of entirety, pathos. read more

La MaMa has a lot of operations going on at once, but their La MaMa Galeria is definitely a cool place to check out art at. You can see some shots of their last show in my recent article: http://www.cartwheelart.com/cartwheel-blog/new-york-new-york-an-eyewitness-report-after-hurricane-sandy read more

Last night was my first time at La MaMa theater and I had a phenomenal time. I saw Lemon Bucket Orkestra perform with Yara Arts Group. The show was engaging and the venue seemed perfect for both shows. I grew up on the Lower East Side and I'm surprised I hadn't thought to check out this venue sooner. I'm not sure what the other shows are like but after last night, I shall definitely be returning. read more

#LaMaMaETC Last night, Sept 14t I was placed on waitlist after waiting for two hours for 5 people who arrived after me to get in...then when I asked the cashier why those people who were white chosen over me I was told a lie and disregarded...he was dismissive. I never raised my voice as I speak softly...He looked at me with disdain and when I pointed out the people let in were white and they arrived after me, he told me he was "insulted' (interesting he felt insulted) and told me to "get the f#%k out!" La Mama needs to look at their surveillance video they will see I was leaving and he was followed me and continued yelling repeatedly for me to get 'get the f#%k out!", pointing his finger each time as if some when does when they are traing a dog abusively. I don't treat animals this way. I experience this abusive microaggression in all kind of ways all the time, and avoid confrontation. But on this scale, this is unacceptable read more

Theater is interesting and experimental; some great performances. It is geared for artists rather than audience. House seating/ticket policies and customer support are insulting. Small theatre space so not worth any extra outlay for 'premium' seats. We paid a premium for reserved seats and were given the second row from the back, off to the side. We tried clarifying beforehand but no one answers the phone and you can't leave a message. The company selling tickets tell you to call the house. After requesting a refund for the premium payment given the poor seats we were allocated, the interim MD stated, "The producers have identified key seats in the house that are considered prime locations based on sight lines of the performance and comfort in the house. (Aisle seats, center seats, etc)." By no criteria could these seats have been considered a prime location. read more