None of the Above Theatre Company, a longtime incubator dedicated to championing New York plays and dramatists, proudly announces its 45th season opening with the Old Skool Playwrights Festival, running October 6 through October 25, 2026 at the American Theatre of Actors
Three-Week Event Features Staged Readings of Bold New Works Alongside Back-to-Back Showcases of Robert Liebowitz’s ‘The Julia Variations’ and the Celebrated Drama ‘Coulda Woulda Shoulda’
The festival launches with an expansive week of staged readings from both emerging and seasoned playwrights, followed by fully staged runs of two evocative works by award-winning dramatist Robert Liebowitz: the world premiere biographical memory play, The Julia Variations and his acclaimed Off-Broadway flagship drama Coulda Woulda Shoulda.
WEEK 1: STAGED READINGS LINEUP (OCT. 6–10)
Tue. Oct.6th at 8:00pm: Rokuro-Kubi and Jikininki by Jill Hoppe
An imaginative and eerie new work opening the festival reading series.
Wed. Oct. 7th at 8pm: The Key by L. Lyn-Jones & Steven Cornine
A lyrical, poignant musical play tracing ambition, fate, and generational inheritance from 1940 to 1960 through an emotionally charged score.
Thur. Oct. 8th at 8pm: Second Date by Mohammed Said-Ali
Winner of several MITF Awards, Mohammed Said-Ali has been hailed as one of the few truly original voices in indie theatre today.
Fri. Oct. 9th at 8pm: 250 Years…Of Progress? by Tim Horace, et al.
A dynamic dance-theater piece set inside a stalled subway station where an immigrant and an American businessman clash over ambition, freedom, and the true cost of national progress.
Sat. Oct. 10th at 7pm: SPECIAL EVENT: “Falling Stars: Hamilton & Welles”
A compelling double bill featuring:
Maggie & The Witch by James Anthony Merolla starring Broadway and classic film artist, Elaine Lynn as Margaret Hamilton: A poignant one-act drama exploring the final days of Margaret Hamilton, the gentle former kindergarten teacher who portrayed cinema’s most famous villain, as she confronts an attendant harboring deep childhood trauma.
Eating with Orson by Alan Kanevsky starring theatrical and film producer, Jay Michaels as Orson Welles: An intimate, audacious behind-the-scenes look at Orson Welles’ relentless struggle to secure independent film financing at the expense of his own dignity.
Talkback immediately following the readings
WEEK 2: WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION — THE JULIA VARIATIONS (OCTOBER 11–18)
By Robert Liebowitz
A poignant biographical memory play exploring the artistic brilliance, generosity, and final days of beloved stage and screen icon Raúl Juliá. Moving through eight theatrical “variations,” the production takes audiences from Juliá’s childhood in Puerto Rico through pivotal backstage moments with Errol Flynn, Orson Bean, Meryl Streep, and Joseph Papp (played by theatrical and film producer, Jay Michaels), culminating in his courageous final performances.
Sun. Oct. 11: 1st Preview at 3:00 PM (Matinee) & 7:00 PM (Evening)
Mon. Oct. 12: Press Preview at 8:00 PM
Tue. Oct. 13: Opening Night at 8:00 PM
Wed. Oct. 14 – Fri. Oct. 16: Performances at 8:00 PM
Sat. Oct. 17: Performances at 2:00 PM (Matinee) & 8:00 PM (Evening)
Sun. Oct. 18: Closing Matinee at 3:00 PM
WEEK 3: REVIVAL — COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA (OCTOBER 20–25)
By Robert Liebowitz
Celebrated with critical awards and an acclaimed Off-Broadway contract run in 1997, Liebowitz’s flagship drama depicts the raw, heartbreaking, and darkly comedic final weeks in the life of degenerate gambler Allie Neiterman, a character based on the playwright’s own father.
Tuesday, Oct 20: Opening Night at 8:00 PM
Wednesday, Oct 21 – Sunday, Oct 25: Performances at 8:00 PM (Saturday matinee @ 2pm; Sunday matinee @ 3pm)
FESTIVAL & TICKETING SUMMARY
What: Old Skool Playwrights Festival (45th Season Opener)
Where: American Theatre of Actors
Dates: October 6 – October 25, 2026
https://ticketstripe.com/old-skool
https://ticketstripe.com/Julia-Variations
https://ticketstripe.com/Coulda-Woulda-Should
