Behind the City

“industriously inventive” – The New York Times

“Behind the City is exceptionally ingenious in finding the symmetry within urban flux… both one of the sweetest and most sophisticated date nights on offer in these early days of summer… industriously inventive… an insistence that you look — really look — at what’s around you, and realize afresh how all the city’s a stage.”

– Ben Brantley, The New York Times

About Behind the City

Manhattan, New York (2018)

As part of its ongoing celebration of exceptional artistry, The Macallan presented Behind the City, Third Rail's most intimate work to date. New York City served as the stage, setting, and metaphor where couples discovered unexpected, dreamlike environments and narratives hidden behind closed doors. The work was a rumination on love, getting lost, and the memories that we imprint upon the city and it imprints upon us.  

Behind the City was presented in conjunction with The Macallan Speakeasy, a pop-up destination that served as an intimate gathering space to celebrate exceptional artists and provide a portal to carefully curated, innovative cultural experiences. 

“…the closest thing to time travel most of us will ever experience… The show is incredibly intimate… The whole thing really is quite ludicrous and hard to follow in the best, most dream-like way.”

– Seth Porges, Forbes

Credits

Behind the City

Creative Team

BEHIND THE CITY
by Third Rail Projects

Artistic Directors
Zach Morris, Tom Pearson, Jennine Willett

Conceived and Created by
Zach Morris

Created in Collaboration with 
The Company

Performers
Lia Bonfilio, Elizabeth Carena, Andrew Chapman, Vinny DePonto, Amy Gernux, Julia Kelly, Roxanne Kidd, Madison Krekel,Kevin Lowry, Justin Lynch, Rebekah Morin, Marissa Nielsen-Pincus, Emily Petry, Gwen Petry, Jessy Smith, Niko Tsocanos, Carlton Cyrus Ward

Production Staff

Assistant Director: Elizabeth Carena
Producers: Edward Rice, Zach Morris
Production Manager: Brittany Crowell
Stage Manager: Kristina Vnook

Assistant Producer: Kim Savarino
Assistant Production Manager: Nick Auer
Original Music and Sound Design: Sean Hagerty
Co-Composer and Guitar: Isaiah Singer
Assistant Sound Design: Garrett Hood
“Come Running” Composed by: Andrea Lepcio, Russell Kaplan
Vocals: Elizabeth Carena
Dramaturg: Niko Tsocanos
Dialect Coach: Rachel Hardin
Illusion Design: Vinny DePonto
Costume Design and Coordination: TJ Burleson
Environment Design: Zach Morris
Assistant Scenic Design: Dan Daly
Props Designer: Michaela Whiting
Lighting Designer: Niko Tsocanos
Digital Technology Designer: Joshua Dutton-Reaver
Additional Digital Technology Design: Alberto Denis
Digital Technology Assistant: Jack Cummins
Interactive Technology Engineer: Todd Polenberg
Assistant Stage Managers: NJ Agwuna, Stephanie Armitage, Jack Cummins, Ange Lopilato
Production Assistants: Katie Dolan, Josh Roberts, Michaela Whiting
Technical Director: Dan Daly
Crew: Kasey Blanco, Andrew Chapman, Ange Lopilato, Rebekah Morin, Jessy Smith, Connor Zaft
Scenic Painter, Art Studio: Emily Baldasarra
Front of House: Caroline Labreche, Alannah O’Hagan

Project Support

Press Coverage

"...beautiful, surprising, charming, absurd, ambitious, and melancholic... 'Behind the City' finds this ground-breaking company at the top of its game." - Kathryn Yu, No Proscenium

All Press Coverage

The New York Times | Review | June 19, 2018
’Behind the City’ Immerses You in New York and Yourself  “Behind the City is exceptionally ingenious in finding the symmetry within urban flux… both one of the sweetest and most sophisticated date nights on offer in these early days of summer… industriously inventive… an insistence that you look — really look — at what’s around you, and realize afresh how all the city’s a stage.” – Ben Brantley

Forbes | Review | June 15, 2018
This Immersive Theater Production Is As Close To Time Travel As Most Of Us Will Ever Get  “…the closest thing to time travel most of us will ever experience… The show is incredibly intimate… The whole thing really is quite ludicrous and hard to follow in the best, most dream-like way.” – Seth Porges

No Proscenium | Review | June 18, 2018
Lost in a Waking Dream in ‘Behind the City’ (The NoPro Review) "...beautiful, surprising, charming, absurd, ambitious, and melancholic... 'Behind the City' finds this ground-breaking company at the top of its game." - Kathryn Yu, No Proscenium

American Theatre Magazine | Feature | June 20, 2018
The Scotch Is on the House at ‘Behind the City’ by Diep Tran

CNET | Feature | July 15, 2018
The best augmented reality I saw this year was live theater funded by a liquor company “Behind The City stands as an amazing and improbable demonstration of the possibilities of realities blending in AR.” – Scott Stein

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