Historic Harlem Theater Kicks Off Show At Storied West Village Venue

HARLEM, NY — The National Black Theatre, an iconic decades-old Harlem theater, is about to kick off a new production at a storied venue in the West Village.

Its first co-production of the 2023 season will be "AMANI," which will run from Feb. 8 through March 5 at the Rattlestick Theater at 224 Waverly Pl.

"Amani grows up building a rocket ship with her father, who vows to make it to outer space: where his child can breathe easy, where there are no gangs to take his first love’s life, nor prisons to take Black boys’ best years," reads a description of the show. "As Amani moves into adulthood, she seeks her voice and her own dreams. Will Amani make it to the moon?"

The show is written by the playwright a.k. payne, and directed by Josiah Davis.

The ticket pricing is pay what you can style, with tiers ranging from $1 to $30 depending on how close you want to be to the stage.

The National Black Theatre was founded in 1968 by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, and has put on shows since at 2031 Fifth Ave., which has since been co-named 2031 National Black Theatre Way.

The theater is currently working on a redevelopment project that will transform its longtime home into a "21st-century destination for Black culture through theatre." The project will build a 250-seat flexible space and a 99-seat studio theater.

It is considered the country's first revenue-generating Black art complex, and the longest-running Black theater in New York City.

It's core mission is "to be the premier producer of transformative theatre — theatre that enhances African American cultural identity by telling authentic, autonomous, multifaceted stories of the Black experience."

You can find out more about the theater and its new show on its website.