LIGHTNING FALLS

LIGHTNING FALLS is an original series of six one-act plays proudly written, directed, and performed by LSTC members. Some hilarious, some heartfelt, some controversial, the thought-provoking plays of LIGHTNING FALLS explore many of the colorful, crackling issues that make up this great season of change.

LIGHTNING LAB

The mad scientists have been experimenting in THE LIGHTNING LAB and have transformed our FIRST MONDAYS performance series into THE SPARK SERIES, a new reading series that’ll light your fire! Every month, this series features new works written by some of New York's most talented playwrights and read by the talented actors of Lightning Strikes.

The Viy

THE EVIL DEAD meets WAITING FOR GODOT in this irreverent adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's 1833 supernatural short story, which was also the source of Mario Bava's classic Italian Gothic horror film BLACK SUNDAY. THE VIY attends the panic of roguish philosopher Khoma Brut, assigned to pray for three nights over the body of a dead girl who rises out of her coffin each midnight to torment him. Enacted by a large ensemble cast of players performing their own sound, music and visual effects, THE VIY is intended as a celebration of storytelling and the art of myth-making.

The Lightning Ball Strikes Again!

Our annual benefit at the Children's Aid Society featuring great comedy, music, food, raffle prizes and coif aplenty was a huge success. Featuring the great talents of Lightning Strikes and friends!

Single Bullet Theory

Think Cool thoughts. Think conspiracy theories. Yet another world-premiere play presented by Lightning Strikes, the hilarious Single Bullet Theory is written by Lightning Strikes's Mike Bencivenga. Mike is the writer/director of the soon-to-be-released film Happy Hour starring Eric Stoltz and Anthony LaPaglia.

Lightning ball

On the day before the Leprechauns prowl the streets of New York, Lightning Strikes decided to do what they could to divert some of that gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow towards a very deserving not-for-profit theatre company—Lightning Strikes! Featuring some of the funniest talent this side of the Hudson (and the other come to think of it).

United   Firefighter's Association
Widows and Children's Fund Benefit

They say laughter is the best medicine and, frankly, we couldn't agree more! Lightning Strikes proudly presented 2 nights of NYC's best comedy - ALL proceeds benefitted "The Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA)- Widow's and Children's Fund".

Jitta's Atonement

By George Bernard Shaw

The New York premiere of Jitta's Atonement, adapted and translated from the German by the one-and-only George Bernard Shaw. This rare Shaw gem is a delightful, dark romantic comedy, exploring a passionate love affair and its wrenching aftermath.

In The Parlance

By Richard Harland Smith

"Tom Stoppard meets The Sopranos". Richard Harland Smith's play about crime, theft, murder, romance, sex, betrayal, surveillance, fishing, Neanderthal Man and the death of the Sun. Lightning Strikes is very proud to announce that on June 25, 2001 Lightning Strikes won its third OOBR award for the world-premiere of "In The Parlance" by our own Richard Harland Smith. We want to thank all of our loyal - and new - fans for making it such a huge success. To read the award winning review published in Off Off Broadway Review magazine, which described the play as "... fascinatingly intellectual and bravely dramatic ..." and rated it as "Highly Recommended".

Tannenbaum Tales

Tis' the season and Lightning Strikes brings you a heart warming evening of original adaptations of Christmas Classics -- including the works of of E.T.A. Hoffman, Damon Runyon, and L. Frank Baum.

Durang By The Dozen

By Christopher Durang

No Guns, No Sofas Ten years ago, Lightning Strikes came alive with Christopher Durang's Baby With the Bathwater. Now, Lightning Strikes rediscovers its roots by performing one dozen one acts by the infamous Christopher Durang: Mrs. Sorken; Desire, Desire, Desire; Woman Stand-Up; Kitty the Waitress; Funeral Parlor; John & Mary Doe; Entertaining Mr. Helms; Canker Sores and Other Distractions; 1-900-Desperate; The Hardy Boys; Medea; and Business Lunch at the Russian Tea Room. In a special arrangement with Mr. Durang, Lightning Strikes is proud to offer this amazing collection of hysterical, satirical, and maniacal work, many of which have never been produced for a public audience...until now.

The Playboy Stories:

Lightning Strikes honours great authors of short fiction with adaptations of their work for the stage. Based on original stories which appeared in Playboy magazine between 1955 - 2000, Lightning Strikes turned out 16 sexy, sultry nights to sold out houses with Modern Love by T. Coraghessan Boyle, A Flourish of Strumpets by Richard Matheson, A Fine Son by Roald Dahl, How It Ended by Jay McInerney, and Good Blonde by Jack Kerouac...and this is just the beginning.

Crazyface

By Clive Barker

Clive Barker's Crazyface makes its New York debut in a haunting and bittersweet production at the Third Annual International Fringe Festival in New York City. Join Tyl Eulenspiegel on a desperate search for his own salvation through an alternative reality where historical fact, psychological realism, and clownlore all coexist on the same stage.

Three Dark Comedies

By Mark Manus & Dave Lewis

A light look at dark comedy...Lightning Strikes presents an evening of original works written by David Lewis and Bob Manus in the style of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. This dark evening's comic offerings include a visit with Bobby Love, nightclub entertainer ordinaire, and his very wooden friend, Eddie; a bickering couple whose marriage (and their own survival) is based on movie trivia; and a look at death, sex and video rentals.

Our Country's Good

By Timberlake Wertenbaker

Lightning Strikes's production of Our Country's Good won the Off-Off Broadway Review Award for 'Best Off-Off Broadway Play of the 1998-99 Season'. A recreation of the sweeping historical saga which has been described by critics as "an uplifting and thoroughly entertaining play brimming with intelligence and heart." Infused with poignancy, lyricism, and robust humor, this production serves as a heartfelt testament to the redemptive power of creative expression resulting in a fascinating, unforgettable story of love, survivial and the founding of a nation.

The Adding Machine

By Elmer Rice

A classic play that was the American front runner in the expressionist artistic movement that unfolded around the world in the 1920's. Today it seems just as relevant -- in an era of corporate downsizing, rising crime, and the mistrust that the individual has of the world he struggles to survive in.

Light Up the Sky

By Moss Hart

This affectionately cynical comedy about the labor pains of a Broadway hit and it's increasingly panicky midwives was inspired by Mr. Hart's autobiography Act One. This production incorporates text from his book, and brings elements of the rehearsal process onto the stage. It celebrates the career of its author -- a career encompassing everything from the vaudeville-based "Borscht-belt" of his youth to the darker plays that were his response to a post-WWII atomic era.

Twelfth Night

By William Shakespeare

Martini swilling swingers and the New Lounge loungers inhabit this post-modern "Illyria". A time that recalls an era of glory when bachelor pads were in, self-indulgence was fashionable, and bright red pianos were the life of the party!

God's Country

By Stephen Dietz

Lightning Strikes's production of God's Country won the Off-Off Broadway Review Award for 'Best Off-Off Broadway Play of the 1995-96 Season'. This chilling drama is even more timely now than when it premiered in Seattle in 1988. The play chronicles the exploits of the Washington white supremacist militia group: The Order. It follows their crusade from government resistance to armed robbery and ultimately - to the murder of Jewish radio personality Alan Berg in Denver. The trial that ensued shocked the nation.