COMMUNION
by Matthew LaBanca
directed by Kira Simring

"LABANCA'S PERFORMANCE IN HIS OWN PLAY DEFINES SUPERLATIVES"- TheatreScene.net

Based on the highly-publicized true story of Broadway actor and playwright Matthew LaBanca, Communion is a solo show about a beloved Catholic school teacher who is fired when the church discovers he married a man. His termination and the fallout that follows cause a crisis of faith, not only for himself but for his entire community. Spotlighting themes of religious persecution, justice, and spiritual trauma, Communion invites audiences to transcend the conventional boundaries of faith and tradition, offering the possibility of a new beginning.

lighting and set design by Will Morris, costume and prop design by Nicole Zausmer, sound design by Julianne Merrill, projection design by Ryan Belock, choreography by Christine O'Grady Roberts, production stage manager Richard Urquiza, assistant director Lydia Funke

Matthew LaBanca (Playwright/Performer) is an actor and playwright living in New York City. He made his Broadway debut with Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein, covering the title role and stepping in during previews, garnering great acclaim. He has since appeared on Broadway in White Christmas and more recently, in the 2019 Tony Award-winning Broadway play A Christmas Carol. Matthew's self-penned solo show Good Enough performed to sold-out audiences Off Broadway at the United Solo Theatre Festival, winning the Best Musical Award of the Festival.

Kira Simring (Director) is the (Artistic Director) of Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in NYC, where she has developed and directed new works since 2006. Directing credits include the world premiers of What Kind of Woman by Abbe Tanenbaum, The Women Who Rode Away by Natalia Zukerman (the cell and Off the WALL), Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom (Irish Rep), Crackskull Row by Honor Molloy (New York Times Critics’ Pick) and Hard Times: An American Musical by Larry Kirwan (New York Times Critics’ Pick). Kira is a three-time Origin Theatre 1st Irish Award Winner for Best Director.