Off-Broadway's Keen Company has announced its 2023-2024 season, which will include a one-night-only benefit concert of Nick Blaemire and James Gardiner's Glory Days. Set for February 12, 2024, the concert will be the first major presentation of the rock musical since its infamously short-lived 2008 Broadway debut; the show played just 17 previews and one official performance.
Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein will direct the "star-studded" cast, which is to be announced.
The company will open the season with its 24th Annual Benefit Gala honoring Kathleen Chalfant, star of the company's 2022 site-specific production of Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking. Set for October 16 at Manhattan Penthouse, the event will feature an open bar, auction, and performances.
And, Chalfant is set to reprise her performance in The Year of Magical Thinking, this time in living rooms and community spaces across New Haven. Presented in partnership with Long Wharf Theater, the encore run will perform November 8–December 3.
Keen will give a world premiere to Fish, a new play by Kia Corthron in 2024. Running March 19–April 20 and directed by Adrienne D. Williams, the run is being co-produced with Working Theater. Originally developed in Keen's Playwrights Lab, the new work centers on a high school senior and her teacher, exploring the challenges of NYC's public school system and celebrating the powerful bonds between students and educators. The premiere will take the stage at Theatre Row's Theatre Five.
As revealed August 29, Keen has joined with The Drama League to become a producing partner for the organization's DirectorFest. The collaboration will see Keen presenting productions of Cassandra Medley's Cell, directed by Nadia Guevara; and Lynn Nottage's Poof!, directed by Ibi Owolabi. The productions will play Theatre Row's Theatre Two May 2–11, 2024.
The company will also continue development of a new musical by Ordinary Days writer Adam Gwon. Readings and workshops are planned through the year, in hopes that the company will be able to stage a world premiere in the 2024-2025 season.
Keen Teens is also back in 2024, set to give world premieres to one-acts by Dennis A. Allen II, Laura Neill, and Jesús Valles. Performances will be given at Theatre Row's Theatre Five May 17–19, 2024.
Aside from performances, Keen has appointed Zachariah Ezer as its new director of new work. Ezer will reimagine Keen's programs supporting mid-career playwrights and lead new work initiatives.
Visit KeenCompany.org for more.
