Coming Soon: The COW Theater at 21 Clinton Street
This image has been archived or removed.
Something as intriguing as “The COW Theater” on the Lower East Side certainly needed explanation. That’s the name of the corporate identity currently gunning for a restaurant wine license at the soon-to-be former Living Theatre digs on Clinton Street.
Turns out, “COW” is an acronym for “The Celebration of Whimsy,” a dynamic full-service theater, cabaret, and event space in the basement space of 21 Clinton Street. Programming will reportedly include improv performances, repertory theater, children’s theater, and one-man shows. And, believe it or not, this location is actually the sequel in a saga about the Children’s Aid Society (“CAS”).
CAS cashed out its lucrative holdings at 177 and 219 Sullivan Street for $33 million in spring of 2011. The lucky buyer was Broad Street Development, who is planning condo conversion. Natch. The transaction ultimately left Stephen Rondel’s successful twelve-year-venture, The New Acting Company, without facilities. No longer. That’s where the COW comes in, a space for “creating reputable, dynamic and innovative curriculum for our very popular after-school and adult evening programs as well as in our critically acclaimed annual professional productions.”
Rondel explained more about the venture to us:
When we [Rondel and business partner Tyler Magazini] saw the 21 Clinton street basement theater we knew this was our dream space to combine my expertise in the theater with his in the hospitality industry. We intend to be a permanent home to The New Acting Company and rent the space out to other theater groups, dance companies, meditation studios, comedy and improvisation groups etc. We hope to offer a variety of theatrical and community events through the week.
We are appling for our beer and wine license to help bring in additional income at night from our adult patrons so that we can successfully pay for our monthly rent and overhead cost for the next 10 years!
We are very excited about our new business venture together and look forward to being a new artistic venue for all ages to the lower east side community.
The COW Theater will appear at tonight’s Community Board 3 subcommittee meeting, and is planning to launch on March 1.
Recent Stories
Apply to Girls Prep Today! [Sponsor]
Apply to Girls Prep! Girls Prep Lower East Side is the first tuition-free, all-girls public charter school in Manhattan. We serve girls in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade — and support our alumnae through high school, college and beyond. We’re accepting applications for next school year. Click here to apply before our lottery deadline: April 1st.
Take a Whiff: Chatting Honey-Mustard Power Pop with The Whiffs
The Whiffs are the best kept secret of indie rock. Full stop. You needn’t look further than their punchy throwback style and knack for crafting infectious earworms. At first listen you might think the four-piece hailed from across the pond and another era entirely. Mixing addictive elements of Herman’s Hermits, The Turtles, and The Who. […]
11 Essex Street is Half its Former Self
Nearly two decades of dormancy culminated with the destruction of 11 Essex Street. The writing was on the wall for the 112-year-old tenement, which had been wrapped in a death shroud late last year. As of this week, the demolition is nearing complete; the building has been cut down to half-size. As previously reported, real […]
Two Bridges Developers Vow to Appeal Judgement Halting New Towers
Hours after the State Supreme Court ruled in favor of halting three towers in Two Bridges, the developers collectively announced their plans to appeal. Timeline given is “the near future.” The ruling came down from Judge Arthur Engoron Monday evening, favoring the plaintiffs, the Lower East Side Organized Neighbors, in their lawsuit. He found that […]
Spectrum Debuts New Essex Crossing Store on Grand Street
Essex Crossing wouldn’t be complete without yet another big-box retailer, living up to the shopping mall persona many in the neighborhood always anticipated. The latest to plant a flag is Spectrum, which is sandwiched between Target and Trader Joe’s at The Rollins mixed-use development. Carrying the address of 396 Grand Street, this is the ninth overall […]
