Here you can find information about our exciting programs as well as any upcoming productions!
You can watch our shows in person or via Zoom!
And don’t forget to look at the website of our other company,
the Award-winning theatre company
For past shows, we can send you a link.
Call (646)366-9340 or
Email: [email protected]
Cause Celebre Projects
OUR NEXT SHOW:
Double Feature
BANANAS/DID YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND?
Bananas
In his second feature as writer/director, Woody Allen stars as Fielding Melish, a hapless product-testing New Yorker desperately attempting to impress a young and attractive social activist named Nancy (Louise Lasser). When Melish travels to the turbulent country of San Marcos, he falls in with resistance fighters and, before long, becomes drafted as their leader. While Melish’s position of authority wins Nancy over, he has to deal with the many burdens of being a revolutionary leader.
Did You Know My Husband?
Two women (Louise Lasser and Carole Shelley) find themselves together after they have just finished a Thanksgiving dinner. It seems as if they have met before. But where and how is only revealed at the end, as both women, caught in an emotional labyrinth, try to find their way out. Heartfelt drama and suspense build throughout, highlighted by a haunting, original score (Billy Goldenberg). Written by Susan Charlotte and directed by Antony Marsellis, this film was originally broadcast on PBS.
Talk Back/Q&A with Louise Lasser
Tickets for Sunday, April 27th are SOLD OUT!
*NEW DATE* May 18th, 2:30pm
Call or email to get tickets for the additional screening!
PHONE: 646-366-9340
EMAIL: [email protected]
More information from Stacey Mosteller in a WSKG article:
“WSKG Public Media is proud to partner with New York City theatre company, Cause Celebre for a deeply compelling, hour-long film entitled “Did You Know My Husband?” directed by Antony Marsellis and written by Susan Charlotte. This dramatic and unique production, which brings together Tony and Emmy Award winners Louise Lasser and Carole Shelley, revolves around the loss of one’s memory while gaining an important connection.
Mr. Marsellis has directed numerous works of Pulitzer-Prize and Tony Award-winning writers, performed by Broadway and film stars. He has premiered a number of seminal works including the one-act version of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, A.R. Gurney’s The Love Course, Tom Fontana’s This Is On Me and has brought to the screen Tony Award winner John Gline’s Men of Manhattan. He also collaborated with Susan Charlotte on several projects, including the film and play versions of The Shoemaker.
Having written for CBS and Lifetime, Ms. Charlotte is pleased to be returning to television with “Did You Know My Husband?”. She has written over 50 plays and screenplays which often explore important causes. The Shoemaker, which starred Oscar Nominee Danny Aiello and Tony-Award winner Judith Light, is one such example. Both the play and film versions deal with 9/11. Another one of her plays, Love Divided By, which was also made into a film, deals with mental illness. The film, which has an original score by Philip Glass, was chosen to open the Museum of Modern Art’s Titus II.
“Did You Know My Husband?” stars Emmy nominated actress Louise Lasser and two-time Tony-award winning actress Carole Shelley, with Catherine Chadwick and Michael Citriniti. Lasser and Shelley play two women, who find themselves together after they have just finished a Thanksgiving dinner. The other guests are off in another room. It seems as if these two women have met before. But where and how is only revealed at the end, as both women, caught in an emotional labyrinth, try to find their way out. Heartfelt drama and suspense build throughout, highlighted by an original score that is both haunting and mesmerizing.
Ms. Lasser, who has hosted “Saturday Night Live” twice, is best known for her starring role in the 1970’s hit television show “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” Recently she was featured in HBO’s “Girls.” She also co-starred with then-husband Woody Allen in movies such as Bananas and Take the Money and Run. In addition to her numerous film roles, Ms. Lasser starred on Broadway in Thieves and I Can Get It for You Wholesale.
Ms. Shelley won the Tony Award for best actress in The Elephant Man. She created the role of Madame Morrible in the original Broadway cast of Wicked and starred in the Broadway musical Billy Elliot. She co-starred with Nicole Kidman in the movie, Bewitched and with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in The Odd Couple. Her last dramatic role was in “Did You Know My Husband?”
Catherine Chadwick’s film and television credits include the acclaimed TV movie, The Normal Heart and the TV series—”Blue Bloods”, “White Collar” and “Z: The Beginning of Everything”. Michael Citriniti’s credits include the movie Goodfellas and the sci-fi series “Hideous!”, which aired on HBO.
The film’s original score was composed by four-time Emmy Award winner Billy Goldenberg. Mr. Goldenberg has written music for film, theatre, and television for such icons as Steven Spielberg, Michael Bennett, Elvis Presley, and Barbra Streisand. He also composed the theme songs to many TV classics including Columbo, Kojak, Rhoda and Night Gallery.
In addition to the film, we go behind the scenes of the production and Cause Celebre, whose mission is to connect important issues with television, film, and theatre. We are privy to intimate and revealing conversations with the cast and creative team.
The film was produced by Cause Celebre, LTD. and WSKG Public Media.
“Did You Know My Husband?” premiered on WSKG on Thursday, November 8, 2018 and will be rebroadcast on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 8:00 pm.”
Cause Celebre Productions Presents
LAST CHANCE CAFE
WRITTEN BY: SUSAN CHARLOTTE
DIRECTED BY: ANTONY MARSELLIS
Based on the case of MARTY GARBUS
A COURT ROOM DRAMA WITH MUSIC AND DANCE!
DATE: Monday, March 31st at 2PM
LOCATION: Ethical Culture Society (2 West 64th St)
A deeply compelling play that combines a drama about voter suppression with lyrics from the song, “Oxford Town,” written by musical icon, Bob Dylan.
STARRING:
JACK WETHERAL (“The Elephant Man” on Broadway)
NESHA WARD
GENE CASTLE
MICHAEL CITRINITI
“Oxford Town” was written about James Meredith, the first black person admitted to Mississippi U. in 1962. As Dylan said, the song, “deals with the Meredith case and then again it doesn’t. It could have happened at any time.” Riots erupted, two men were killed.
“Two men died ‘neath the Mississippi moon.”
Bob Dylan, in his song, “Oxford Town”
The rampant racism continued and in 1965, Henrietta Wright, was arrested in from of the Last Chance Cafe, a small store owned by her husband and herself. The reason, she was told, was due to a traffic violation.
She had not stopped for a red light!
The real reason — Mrs, Wright registered to vote.
A fabricated traffic violation led to a violation of a black woman’s civil rights.
She was assaulted, committed to a psychiatric ward (due to the lies of two doctors) and then served time in prison.
Mrs. Wright, a young woman in her 30’s, had the courage to file a complaint with the ACLU against two police men and two doctors.
Martin Garbus, a young New York lawyer who worked for the ACLU, flew to Oxford, Mississippi.
He then drove one hour to a small town in Mississippi in order to represent Henrietta Wright.
He warned this young woman that her chances of winning were next to nothing.
But, as Dylan wrote, “Somebody better investigate.”
Garbus told Mrs. Wright that thought they would not win, they would make a strong statement. This is indeed what happened.
Sixty years later this play could not be more relevant.
“The ominous Mississippi night which had so often harbored black men, hanging from their necks, the burning Cross, the vicious beating, had lost some of its threat for Mr. and Mrs. Wright.”
Martin Garbus
FOR TICKETS: CALL (646) 336-9340 or EMAIL: [email protected]
HERE WE ARE
by Dorothy Parker
&
FOR YOUR PLEASURE MADAME
by Susan Charlotte
CAUSE CELEBRE PRODUCTIONS opens its new season on a romantic note.
Well, sort of!
Join us for plays about love, marriage, and thoughts of divorce in Paris & NYC!
All in ONE afternoon!
DATE: Monday February 24th
TIME: 2pm
PLACE: Ethical Culture (2 West 64th St.)
DISCOUNT ALERT!
For a limited time, we are giving out a VALENTINE’S DAY DISCOUNT FOR TWO!
You have the chance to purchase a discounted $45 ticket AND an additional ticket for FREE!
Contact us directly before MIDNIGHT on Sunday February 16th to receive this lovely deal.
PHONE: 646-366-9340
EMAIL: [email protected]
Here We Are
By DOROTHY PARKER
Directed by ANTONY MARSELLIS
Starring:
PENNY FULLER, Tony Nominee
BOB DISHY, Drama Desk Award Winner
The characters in “Here We Are” are written as newlyweds in their 20’s.
But Bob Dishy and Penny Fuller perform the story as a memory piece.
Dorothy Parker begins her story in a very typical nuanced way–part humor, part anxiety, part Parker!
“Scene: A compartment in a Pullman car. He is storing the suitcases in the rack. She is primping.
He: Well!
She: Well !
He: Well, here we are!”
The story begins and ends with “Here we are”. But the meaning of those three words completely changes by the end of the play. Join us and you’ll see what we mean!
Two newlyweds are taking a train to NYC, where they will honeymoon and embark upon a new life. As their ride comes to an end the couple realize that marriage may be more difficult than they expected! And their excitement changes into a kind of apprehension. When the couple repeats the words, “Here we are,” at the end, one wonders if they are really thinking, “Where are we?”
“Here We Are” is followed by:
For Your Pleasure Madame
By SUSAN CHARLOTTE
Directed by ANTONY MARSELLIS
Starring: PENNY FULLER and ALLISON WHITE
Stage Directions for both plays: Michael Citriniti
For Your Pleasure Madame takes place in Paris. A woman in her 70s, who has just lost her husband,enters a hat store. The owner is a young woman who is on the phone with her husband. The American widow, who is quite vulnerable, has a steely facade and an acerbic sense of humor. But as she tries on each hat, a layer of defense is pealed away, and she finally reveals how in love she was with her husband. The French woman too opens up–about how unhappy she is with her older husband. She also reveals the history of the shop, which was shut down by her mother in 1940 when the Nazis marched down the Champs-Elysses. When her mother reopened the shop, it became more of a home for the French woman. And the hats had become a way for her to connect with others, especially on this day, especially with the American woman. As the story progresses they see that they have more in common than they realized at first.
These two one-act gems will be followed by a Q and A with the cast and writer.
Join us on February 24th and celebrate the opening of our new season.
We look forward to seeing you in person or via Zoom!
Cause Celebre Productions Presents
A staged reading based on the extraordinary life of
Nick Springer
Written by Susan Charlotte
Directed by Antony Marsellis
The show took place on September 26th at Ethical Cultural Society.
It was a huge success with a crowd of over 150 people!
Reviews about this production!
- Jeryl M. in her blog, “Says Me Mom”
- “The show isn’t so much the story of Nick’s life as it is about Nick’s legacy.”
- “Croton’s Nick Springer continues to inspire, years after tragedy, comback, his death” written by Peter D. Kramer
- “The play captures Nick’s ability to inspire action, even actions one has been avoiding”
STARRING:
Drama Desk Nominee & Drama League Winner Roberta Wallach
Two-Time Tony Winner James Naughton
Tony Award Nominee Penny Fuller
&
Michael Citriniti
“Life goes on. With or without you. You can either shut down or join in.”
– Nick Springer
Cause Celebre and Hendersen Productions Present
THE PEOPLE VERSUS LENNY BRUCE
LOCATION:
Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505
The show that was sold out in New York moved to LA!
DATES:
July 21st at 6PM
July 22nd at 2pm and 7pm
The three shows were a big success in California!
Based on the New York court case
by legendary lawyer Martin Garbus
Written by Susan Charlotte
Directed by Anthony Marsellis
Cause Celebre presents
LAST CHANCE CAFE/FIRST TIME VOTING
WRITTEN BY: SUSAN CHARLOTTE
DIRECTED BY: ANTONY MARSELLIS
Based on the case of MARTY GARBUS
A deeply compelling play that combines a drama about voter suppression
with lines from the song, “Oxford Town,”
written by musical icon, BOB DYLAN.
FOR TICKETS: CALL (646) 336-9340 or EMAIL: [email protected]
DATE: June 14th at 7:00pm
LOCATION: ETHICAL CULTURAL SOCIETY, 2 West 64th Street
LIVE GUITAR plays in background. “SOMEBODY BETTER INVESTIGATE SOON”
– lyrics from a haunting song provide a Greek chorus throughout the play.
THE TIME — 1960’s. THE PLACE — Mississippi.
CAST:
Greg Mullavey
Nesha Ward
Larry Pine
Jon Stewart
Michael Citriniti
To learn more about the production, click here.
Cause Celebre presents
UNLUCKY GAL/THE STORY OF JANE DOE
WRITTEN BY: SUSAN CHARLOTTE
DIRECTED BY: ANTONY MARSELLIS
And Tribute to:
Legendary Lawyer MARTIN GARBUS
Iconic Folksinger JUDY COLLINS
and
Former Deputy Chief NYPD’s Special Victims Unit MIKE OSGOOD
The show was a major success and followed with a beautiful performance by Judy Collins during our Q&A portion.
Read more about the production here
ROSA’S REGISTRATION RIDE
On February 5th, 2021, Election Day in Georgia,
the RRR traveled to the National Action Network in Atlanta and presented a taped version of
“When Truth is Not Enough,” a play about voter suppression,
written by Susan Charlotte, directed by Antony Marsellis,
and starring Sean Dougherty, Ebony Jo-Ann,
Angela Pierce, and Dominique Sharpton.
After the audience viewed the show,
they went to the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church
and then ended the day by voting!
Description and history of the
Rosa’s Registration Ride
On February 24th, 2020, at 7:30pm
Cause Celebre and The National Action Network
presented
ROSA’S REGISTRATION RIDE
at NYC Chapter of NAN in Harlem.
This unique project includes:
When Truth is Not Enough,
a play about voter suppression
Written by Susan Charlotte,
Directed by Tony Marsellis
Starring:
Sean Dougherty, Morgan Hallet
Ebony Jo-Ann, and Dominque Sharpton
This compelling one-act drama was followed by on-site voter registration!
On December 1st, we presented
ROSA’S REGISTRATION RIDE
at the National Action Network’s venue in Harlem
along with a performance of
When Truth is Not Enough, a play about voter suppression.
Their response could not have been more moving!
On Friday, September 27th Cause Célèbre
partnered with Democracy Prep Public Schools
to present ROSA’S REGISTRATION RIDE
along with a performance of When the Truth is Not Enough
to over 200 high school students.
The response was extraordinary.
After a deeply compelling Q & A with the cast and writer,
the students went into the field where several hundred
people registered to vote and 400 pledged to register to vote.
The results from one presentation were incredible!
MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S OFFICE SPONSORED
10 Young People to attend Rosa’s Registration Ride
at the National Action Network on the 1st of December!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
The most important way to voice your opinion is by VOTING!
The RRR makes that possible.
Your DONATION will help us continue to present
the Rosa’s Registration Ride.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
MAKE A DONATION!
Cause Celebre and PBS/WSKG present
Did You Know My Husband?
PBS Original Series
A television movie which revolves around
losing one’s memory
while gaining an important connection.
The film, directed by Antony Marsellis
and written by Susan Charlotte
premiered on November 8th
and received a tremendous response.
The show was rebroadcast on December 27th on PBS.
STARRING:
Emmy nominee Louise Lasser
& Tony Award winner Carole Shelley,
with Catherine Chadwick and Michael Citriniti.
The original score was composed by
four-time Emmy winner Billy Goldenberg.
The play was originally performed on
Theatre Row in New York City.
EXCITING PROGRAMS IN 2019
CLICK HERE
Musical Brunch
Upcoming Dates:
TBD
Cause Célèbre is a Not-For-Profit,
501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization.
Click below to donate:
Previous shows presented by Cause Celebre:
