In a time when risk taking is a growing liability for New York City theatre companies, Cherry Lane continues its pioneering tradition of cultivating the future of the American theatre. Cherry Lane is the only theatre company in New York City that specifically provides a safe and inspiring home that supports:

• Emerging and established playwrights, from first draft to full production
• Black and Women voices through innovative play-development programs
• The Off-Broadway tradition through the production of modern classics produced on the Cherry Lane stage throughout the twentieth century
  

Cherry Lane has always specialized in presenting innovative, thrilling theatre. We not only produce new works, but also new writers in a way that makes a difference in the cultural landscape of our community. New cutting-edge artists are cultivated alongside master writers, each given the opportunity to grow and develop their talents. The Studio Theatre is home to our new-play development programs, which are intended to nurture and develop works with an eye to producing them on our historically rich Mainstage.

Cherry Lane’s Discovery Series gives new plays a premiere Off-Broadway production on our Mainstage. Recent offerings have included Women on Fire by Irene O’Garden, starring Judith Ivey (Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Show), Saint Lucy’s Eyes by Bridgette Wimberly, starring Ruby Dee, (winner of three Audelco Awards), and Slag Heap by anton dudley, with Vincent Kartheiser and Brienin Nequa Bryant. Each of these acclaimed productions was fine-tuned in our development programs.

Discovery Series 2007-08: HOODOO LOVE

The Heritage Series presents Mainstage revivals of gems from Cherry Lane ’s extensive canon. Samuel Beckett's Happy Days received its World Premiere on the Cherry Lane stage on September 17, 1961. Our 2002 revival, directed by Joseph Chaikin, was a bona fide theatrical event, filmed by Lincoln Center Library and lauded by critics and audiences alike. In the 2007 season, Cherry Lane presented Dutchman, Amiri Baraka's Obie Award-winning final play as LeRoi Jones, which premiered at Cherry Lane in 1964.

Heritage Series 2007-08: THE AMERICAN DREAM and THE SANDBOX