Free Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot, 1996
Presented on the west side piers of Manhattan
Directed by Robert Spahr
Free Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot, 1996
Nannette Deasy & Daniel Yeomans
Directed by Robert Spahr
Free Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot, 1996
Brian De Benedictis, Daniel Yeomans, & Jenny Shiffer Stevens
Directed by Robert Spahr
Free Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot, 1996
Robert Hess as King Lear
Directed by Robert Spahr
Jean Genet's The Balcony, 1995
Scene 8 filmed on location in NYC's Central Park
Directed by Robert Spahr
Jean Genet's The Balcony, 1995
Maureen Nolan, Michael Valey, & Daryl Hury
Directed by Robert Spahr
Jean Genet's The Balcony, 1995
David Navares, Maureen Nolan, Nannette Deasy, Michael Valey & Daryl Hury
Directed by Robert Spahr
Further Resources
Expanded Arts
Founded by Jennifer Pias and Robert Spahr in February of 1995, at 85 Ludlow St. NYC, the critically acclaimed theatre company produced numerous productions in its "Storefront Theatre." As the co-founder of Expanded Arts, I directed many plays, among my favorites were William Shakespeare's; "King Lear", "Macbeth" & "Midsummer Night's Dream"; Jean Genet's, "The Balcony"; Howard Brenton's, "Christie in Love"; an original adaptation of several Edgar Allen Poe's "Short Stories" (for Halloween); an original adaptation of Charles Dicken's, "A Christmas Carol", (my ghost of Christmas past had 200 blinking christmas tree lights sewn into his costume and he carried his own extension cord); Euripide's, "Medea"; an original adaptation of Lewis Carroll's, "Alice in Wonderland"; Bertolt Brecht's, "The Elephant Calf" and Eugene Ionesco's, "The Lesson."
"Shakespeare's R&J"
The successful off-broadway "Shakespeare's R&J" was first produced by Expanded Arts in September of 1997. It was the longest running Romeo & Juliet in the history of Broadway.
"94 plays in 94 days"
Every summer Expanded Arts produced "94 plays in 94 days" the marathon production of original plays presented over the 94 days of summer!
Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot
Since it's very first summer, Expanded Arts presented "Free Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot" in the Municipal Lot across the street from the theatre. Later Expanded Arts was hired by the Hudson River Park Conservancy to present Free Shakespeare on the west side piers of Manhattan.
Press Quotes
The New York Sunday Times, WPLJ, WBAI-Radio and WNYC-Radio.
The Expanded Art's "Romeo & Juliet" is by far the shrewdest of the three current
productions...Hot Blooded...Clever"
-Peter Marks
The New York Times
A film version of their successful play Sharmy the Scab--
...Expanded Arts is an odd combination of high-tech and grunge."
-Francine Russo
Village Voice
I think Expanded Arts is succeeding in creating a theatre that will be around for
a long while."
-Sherry Eaker
Back Stage
The Expanded Arts ensemble uses wit and imagination."
-Andrew Valez
Time Out, New York
The single most exciting theatre event of the year took place at Expanded Arts on
Ludlow Street...An evening such as this revives the joys of those first moments
you discovered how truly magical theatre can be."
-Andrew Valez
LGYN
An enterprising free production of Taming of the Shrew ...They have adapted the
play admirably to its urban setting..."
-Tony Allen-Mills
The London Sunday Times
If Quentin Tarantino had no money and an interest in theatre, he might come up
with a production of Edward the Second quite like the one currently at Expanded
Arts...So maybe it's a little surreal, but that's the atmosphere in which this
strangely riveting Edward comes to life"
Sam Whitehead
Time Out New York
A sight to behold: Shakespeare in the park(ing) Lot...The Walt Disney company may
be moving in to revitalize 42nd Street, but on the Lower East Side it's
Shakespeare who's turning the cultural life of the area around."
John O'Mahoney
The New York Post
You've heard of Shakespeare in the Park well now its Shakespeare in the Parking
Lot. Believe me this is something that you don't want to miss."
Debra Rodriguez
Fox 5- TV
So, some praise to Expanded Arts...The Half modernized production is fine Pop
Shakespeare, smart and relaxed, able to hold your attention despite all the
amusing distractions."
Brian Parks
Village Voice
Edward The Second, ripe for a revision rendering, the play has enough sexual
deviance, hip drugs, and fashion disasters to make the low-Rent setting ideal."
New York Magazine
Time Out New York chose Expanded Arts' Shakespeare in a Parking Lot as "Essential
to New York".
...in a production as mod-decadent as "Rent"...(Edward the Second) was always
inventive and often powerful."
David A. Rosenberg
Backstage
...Edward the Second was remarkably potent and even thrilling in Expanded Arts'
minuscule storefront Stage...Expanded Arts have turned every limitation into an
innovative asset which, in many ways, is what theatre is all about."
-Brad Bradly
Manhattan Mirror
Check in around 2020 to see which of the current off-off Broadway companies will
be the Manhattan Theatre Club of tomorrow ...Maybe Expanded Arts will be the one."
Peter Filichia
Theatre Week
Its Shakespeare in the Municipal Parking Lot...a production that the populist Bard
himself might well have appreciated."
-Barbara Aria
Time Out , NY
Some highlights from'96 included Expanded Arts' ambitious "94 Plays in 94
Days"..."
-Tom Murrin
Paper Magazine
