The New Group
The New Group is an artist-driven company with a commitment to developing and producing powerful, contemporary theater. Founded by Artistic Director Scott Elliott, The New Group produced its first play, Mike Leigh's Ecstasy, in 1995. Notable productions include This Is Our Youth, Curtains, Goose Pimples, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Hurlyburly, Abigail's Party, Rafta, Rafta..., The Starry Messenger, and A Lie of the Mind, The Kid, Intimacy, The Sticks and Bones, and The Spoils.
Over the past 20 years, The New Group has received more than 100 awards and nominations for excellence. The New Group's first musical, Avenue Q, won three Tony Awards, for Best Book, Best Score, and Best Musical, in 2004.
The New Group is run by founding Artistic Director, Scott Elliott, and Executive Director, Adam Bernstein
Artists
Notable playwrights, directors, actors, and theater artists who have worked at The New Group include Adam Alexi-Malle, Matthew Broderick, Mark Brokaw, David Cale, Bobby Cannavale, Keith Carradine, Richard Chamberlain, Sarita Choudhury, Jim Dale, Paul Dano, Peter Dinklage, Kevin Elyot, Lisa Emery, Jesse Eisenberg, Raúl Esparza, Josh Hamilton, Ed Harris, Ethan Hawke, Beth Henley. Danny Hoch, Holly Hunter, Marin Ireland, Judith Ivey, Kristen Johnston, Zoe Kazan, Ayub Khan-Din, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mike Leigh, Kenneth Lonergan, Natasha Lyonne, Amy Madigan, Jena Malone, Derek McLane, Laurie Metcalf, Pat Metheny, Megan Mullally, Kunal Nayyar, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, Brian F. O'Byrne, Nick Offerman, Tonya Pinkins, Bill Pullman, Sam Rockwell, Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, Mark Ruffalo, Anabella Sciorra, Chloë Sevigny, Cara Seymour, Wallace Shawn, Betty Shamieh, Jonathan Marc Sherman, Lili Taylor, Sam Trammell, Frank Whaley, Dianne Wiest, and Michelle Williams.
Production history
- 2017–2018
- Downtown Race Riot by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
- Jerry Springer – The Opera by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee
- Good for Otto by David Rabe
- Peace for Mary Frances by Lily Thorne
- 2016–2017
- Sweet Charity' by Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields, Neil Simon
- Evening at the Talk House by Wallace Shawn
- The Whirlgig by Hamish Linklater
- 2015–2016
- Mercury Fur by Philip Ridley, directed by Scott Elliott
- Steve by Mark Gerrard, directed by Cynthia Nixon
- Buried Child by Sam Shepard, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2014–2015
- Sticks and Bones by David Rabe, directed by Scott Elliott
- Rasheeda Speaking by Joel Drake Johnson, directed by Cynthia Nixon
- The Spoils by Jesse Eisenberg, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2013–2014
- The Jacksonian by Beth Henley, directed by Robert Falls
- Intimacy by Thomas Bradshaw, directed by Scott Elliott
- Annapurna by Sharr White, directed by Bart DeLorenzo
- 2012–2013
- The Good Mother by Francine Volpe, directed by Scott Elliott
- Clive based on Bertolt Brecht's Baal retold by Jonathan Marc Sherman, directed by Ethan Hawke
- Bunty Berman Presents..., book and lyrics by Ayub Khan Din, music by Ayub Khan Din and Paul Bogaev, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2011–2012
- Burning by Thomas Bradshaw, directed by Scott Elliott
- Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer, directed by Scott Elliott
- An Early History of Fire by David Rabe, directed by Jo Bonney
- 2010–2011
- Blood From A Stone by Tommy Nohilly, directed by Scott Elliott
- Marie and Bruce by Wallace Shawn, directed by Scott Elliott
- One Arm based on the short story and screenplay by Tennessee Williams, adapted for the stage and directed by Moisés Kaufman
- 2009–2010
- The Starry Messenger written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan
- A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard, directed by Ethan Hawke
- The Kid by Andy Monroe, Michael Zam and Jack Lechner, based on the book by Dan Savage, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2008–2009
- Mouth to Mouth by Kevin Elyot, directed by Mark Brokaw
- Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O'Neill, directed by Scott Elliott
- Groundswell by Ian Bruce, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2007–2008
- Things We Want by Jonathan Marc Sherman, directed by Ethan Hawke
- Two Thousand Years by Mike Leigh, directed by Scott Elliott
- Rafta, Rafta... by Ayub Khan-Din, directed by Scott Elliott
- Rich Boyfriend by Evan Smith, directed by Ian Morgan
- 2006–2007
- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Jay Presson Allen, directed by Scott Elliott
- The Fever by Wallace Shawn, directed by Scott Elliott
- The Accomplices by Bernard Weinraub, directed by Ian Morgan
- Expats by Heather Lynn MacDonald, directed by Ari Edelson
- Strangers Knocking by Robert Tenges, directed by Marie Masters
- 2005–2006
- Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh, directed by Scott Elliott
- The Music Teacher words by Wallace Shawn, music by Allen Shawn, directed by Tom Cairns
- A Spalding Gray Matter written and performed by Michael Brandt, directed by Ian Morgan
- Jayson with a Y by Darci Picoult, directed by Sheryl Kaller
- Everythings Thurning into Beautiful by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, directed by Carl Forsman
- 2004–2005
- SIN (A Cardinal Deposed) by Michael Murphy, directed by Carl Forsman
- A Likely Story by David Cale, directed by Tamara Jenkins
- Hurlyburly by David Rabe, directed by Scott Elliott
- Critical Darling by Barry Levey, directed by Ian Morgan
- Terrorism by The Presnyakov Brothers, translated by Sasha Dugdale, directed by Will Frears
- 2003–2004
- Aunt Dan and Lemon by Wallace Shawn, directed by Scott Elliott
- Roar by Betty Shamieh, directed by Marion McClinton
- 2002–2003
- Comedians by Trevor Griffiths, directed by Scott Elliott
- Avenue Q music & lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, directed by Jason Moore
- The Women of Lockerbie by Deborah Brevoort, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2001–2002
- Good Thing by Jessica Goldberg, directed by Jo Bonney
- Smelling a Rat by Mike Leigh, directed by Scott Elliott
- 2000–2001
- What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton, directed by Scott Elliott
- Paradise Island by Benjie Aerenson, directed by Andy Goldberg
- Servicemen by Evan Smith, directed by Sean Mathias
- 1999–2000
- Cranes by Dmitry Lipkin, directed by Scott Elliott
- Another American: Asking and Telling by Marc Wolf, directed by Joe Mantello
- Betwixt by David Cale, directed by Scott Elliott and Andy Goldberg
- 1998–1999
- Some Voices by Joe Penhall, directed by Frank Pugliese
- Halfway Home by Diane Bank, directed by Stephen Williford
- East is East by Ayub Khan-Din, directed by Scott Elliott
- 1997–1998
- Goose-Pimples by Mike Leigh, directed by Scott Elliott
- Hazelwood Jr. High by Rob Urbinati, directed by Scott Elliott
- The Fastest Clock in the Universe by Philip Ridley, directed by Jo Bonney
- 1996–1997
- This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan, directed by Mark Brokaw
- The Flatted Fifth by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, directed by Jo Bonney
- My Night With Reg by Kevin Elyot, directed by Jack Hofsiss
- 1996
- Curtains by Stephen Bill, directed by Scott Elliott
- 1995
- Ecstasy by Mike Leigh, directed by Scott Elliott
Awards
The New Group's past productions have received over 100 awards and nominations, include the Tony Award for Best New Musical.
- Ecstasy, 1995
- OBIE (Overall Excellence)
- Taking Off Award
- Calloway Award
- Curtains, 1996
- 2 OBIEs (Direction; Ensemble Acting)
- This Is Our Youth, 1996
- Lucille Lortel Award 1999 (Outstanding Actor, Mark Ruffalo)
- Theatre World Award 1997 (Mark Ruffalo)
- Goose-Pimples, 1998
- 3 Drama Desk Nominations (Outstanding Director of a Play, Scott Elliott; Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Adam Alexi-Malle; Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Caroline Seymour)
- Another American: Asking and Telling, 2000
- OBIE (Special Citation, Joe Mantello and Marc Wolf)
- Kalbie Award (Best Male Solo Show, Marc Wolf)
- What the Butler Saw, 2001
- Lucille Lortel Nomination (Outstanding Revival)
- Comedians, 2003
- 2 Lucille Lortel Nominations (Outstanding Revival; Outstanding Lead Actor, Jim Dale)
- Drama Desk Nomination (Outstanding Actor in a Play, Jim Dale)
- Drama League Award (Raúl Esparza)
- Drama League Nomination (Outstanding Revival)
- Avenue Q, 2003 & 2004
- 3 Tony Awards 2004 (Best Musical; Best Book of a Musical, Jeff Whitty; Best Score, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx)
- 2004 GLAAD Media Award (Outstanding NY Theater: Broadway and Off-Broadway)
- 2 Theatre World Awards 2004 (Stephanie D’Abruzzo, John Tartaglia)
- 2003-04 Outer Critics Circle Award (Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance and Puppet Artistry)
- 2 Lucille Lortel Awards 2003 (Outstanding Musical; Sound Design, Brett Jarvis)
- 3 Lucille Lortel Nominations 2003 (Outstanding Director, Jason Moore; Outstanding Choreographer, Ken Roberson; Outstanding Set Design, Anna Louizos)
- 5 Drama Desk 2002-03 Nominations (Outstanding Musical; Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Stephanie D’Abruzzo; Outstanding Music, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx; Outstanding Lyrics, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx; Outstanding Book of a Musical, Jeff Whitty)
- Aunt Dan and Lemon, 2004
- 2 OBIEs (Performance, Lili Taylor; Design, Derek McLane)
- Sin (A Cardinal Deposed), 2005
- OBIE (Special Citation)
- 2 Drama Desk Nominations (Outstanding Play; Outstanding Actor in a Play, John Cullum)
- Hurlyburly, 2005
- Lucille Lortel Award (Outstanding Featured Actress, Parker Posey)
- 4 Lucille Lortel Nominations (Outstanding Revival; Outstanding Director, Scott Elliott; Outstanding Lead Actor, Ethan Hawke; Outstanding Featured Actor, Josh Hamilton)
- 4 Drama Desk Nominations (Outstanding Revival of a Play; Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Josh Hamilton; Outstanding Director of a Play, Scott Elliott; Outstanding Costume Design, Jeff Mahsie)
- Drama League Award (Ethan Hawke)
- Drama League Nomination (Outstanding Revival)
- Abigail's Party, 2006
- Lucille Lortel Award (Outstanding Costume Design, Eric Becker)
- 7 Lucille Lortel Nominations (Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Director, Scott Elliott; Outstanding Lead Actress, Jennifer Jason Leigh; Outstanding Featured Actor, Darren Goldstein; Outstanding Featured Actress, Lisa Emery; Outstanding Set Design, Derek McLane; Outstanding Sound Design, Ken Travis)
- 4 Drama Desk Nominations (Outstanding Lead Actress, Jennifer Jason Leigh; Outstanding Featured Actress, Lisa Emery; Outstanding Set Design, Derek McLane; Outstanding Costume Design, Eric Becker)
- The Accomplices, 2007
- 2 Drama Desk Nominations (Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Featured Actor, Andrew Polk)
- Mourning Becomes Electra, 2009
- Drama Desk Nomination (Outstanding Lighting Design, Jason Lyons)
- The Kid, 2010
- Outer Critics Circle Award Winner (Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical)
- Lucille Lortel Award Nomination (Outstanding Musical)
- Drama Desk Award Nominations (Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Actor in a Musical, Christopher Sieber, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Jill Eikenberry, Outstanding Lyrics, Jack Lecher, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Michael Zam)
- A Lie of the Mind, 2010
- OBIE Award Winner (Outstanding Performance, Laurie Metcalf)
- Lucille Lortel Award Nominations (Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Featured Actor, Keith Carradine, Outstanding Featured Actress, Laurie Metcalf, Outstanding, Scenic Design, Derek McLane, Outstanding Sound Design, Shane Rettig)
- Drama Desk Award Nominations (Outstanding Director, Ethan Hawke, Outstanding Music in a Play, GAINES)
- Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination (Outstanding Featured Actress, Marin Ireland)
- Blood from a Stone, 2011
- OBIE Award Winner (Outstanding Performance, Ethan Hawke)
- Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination (Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play)
- Russian Transport, 2012
- Drama Desk Award Nomination (Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Morgan Spector)
- Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination (John Gassner Award, Erika Sheffer)
- Paula Vogel Playwriting Award (Erika Sheffer)
- The Good Mother, 2012
- Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist (Francine Volpe)
- The Jacksonian, 2013
- Drama Desk Award Nomination (Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Bill Pullman)
- Lucille Lortel Award Nomination (Outstanding Lighting Design, Daniel Ionazzi)
- Sticks and Bones, 2014
- Lucille Lortel Award Nominations (Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Bill Pullman)
- Drama Desk Award Nomination (Outstanding Actor in a Play, Bill Pullman)
- Rasheeda Speaking, 2015
- Lucille Lortel Award (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Tonya Pinkins)
- Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations (Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, Outstanding Actress in a Play, Tonya Pinkins)
- Drama Desk Award Nomination (Outstanding Actress in a Play, Tonya Pinkins)
Premieres
The New Group has produced numerous world premieres including Steve, The Spoils, Intimacy, Burning, Russian Transport, Blood From a Stone, The Starry Messenger, The Accomplices, and Avenue Q.