In 1962, Saint Clement’s began a ministry to the theater arts under the leadership of the Reverend Sidney Lanier, its Rector at that time. Reverend Lanier modeled Theatre at Saint Clement’s on the Guild Chapels of sixteenth century England; eventually, the sanctuary proper was gutted and converted into a 160 seat, Off Broadway space, thus bringing church and theater back together again.
On Sundays, an altar is placed upon the set of whatever theatrical production is currently being presented and worship is conducted. Notable world premieres at Theatre at Saint Clement’s include American Buffalo by David Mamet, Old Glory by Robert Lowell, Whiskey by Terrence McNally, La Tourista by Sam Shepherd, Garden of Earthly Delights by Martha Clarke and Juan Darien by Julie Taymor & Elliot Goldenthal. A host of famous actors such as Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman, Nathan Lane, Harvey Fierstein, Henry Winkler, Al Pacino and John Rubinstein have all performed in this space.
Over the years, Theatre at Saint Clement’s has been home to several outstanding theater companies including American Place Theatre, Music-Theatre Group, Theatre for a New Audience, The New Group and, currently, The Peccadillo Theater Company. Recent Peccadillo productions of note include the first full revival in New York City of the classic 1951 musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Lillian Hellman’s Another Part of the Forest.
