Geoffrey from New York

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes....

Oct 4, 2025

Ensemble Studio Theatre New York

Off off-Broadway

""Ensemble Studio Theatre" New York is the perfect place to catch an off off-Broadway show (or three or four). It's funky. I would know: I helped found it!"

Instead of a Broadway show consider going to an off off-Broadway show, or three (or four); better value, same caliber of acting while supporting emerging playwrights.

All Broadway actors and writers have taken this route and the best place to watch their stars rise is at Ensemble Studio Theatre, in business since the early 70s. In fact, almost nothing has changed since that time --- physically, it is a time capsule worth visiting for that reason alone. It's very funky. I know this because I was one of its founding members and even recently designed the lighting for 5 shows.

It’s way out in Hell’s Kitchen on west 52nd Street just off 11th Avenue. It’s a schlepp from the subways that run on Eighth Avenue, but the walk will take you through part of Hell’s Kitchen, now gentrified --- but only recently --- so you’ll get a whiff of the old days. In the '70s things were rough, yet the risks were worth the rewards.

There are now oodles of highbrow restaurants but one remains from the old days --- Sonny’s Grocery, on 10th Avenue, just south of 52nd Street, east side. There you can still get an egg salad sandwich and a can of beer in a paper bag, find a stoop, sit and eat. I go in there to pay my respects to old New York. You should too.

A lot goes on at EST; check the website to discover current offerings. Look for the annual Marathon of One Act Plays.

Art & culture

Theaters

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

About this spot

549 W 52nd

N/A:

US$

no-price

Website

2122474982

Social

Our New York City Guide

Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

The Pythian Temple

R&R Shrine

"The Pythian Temple" in NYC was designed in 1927 for the movie 'The Knights of Pythias'; today, it's remarkable for much more than its beauty...

Art & culture

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

A Gathering, 2001 - Muñoz & Martin

Subway art 13

"A Gathering, 2001" by Muñoz & Martin in the Canal Street train station in NYC 'enlivens the space & provides respite from the busy commercialism above'...

Art & culture

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Saiguette

Vietnamese counter/takeout

I first returned to the Vietnamese restaurant "Saiguette" in NYC for its light, rich, rejuvenating soups, but I also recommend the pork shoulder sandwich.

Restaurants

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Rucker Park

NBA caliber street basketball

"Rucker Park" in New York City is where big men and children come to play basketball, strut, defy, dominate make a name for themselves. You have to see it.

Art & culture

"Music Inn" in New York City is run by musician, instrument designer & inventor Jeff Slatnick. There are musical instruments just everywhere in the shop...

"The Revelers by Jane Dickson" in New York's Times Square Subway Station is mostly located in the transfer corridors between the BMT and IRT Flushing line

Art & culture