Culture Project Cancels Play Directed by Cynthia Nixon

Culture Project Cancels Play Directed by Cynthia Nixon

Photo

Cynthia Nixon was to direct "MotherStruck," which was written by Staceyann Chin.Credit Robert Caplin for The New York Times

Citing serious financial trouble, the Culture Project on Tuesday abruptly canceled the premiere of a new play, backed by Rosie O’Donnell and directed by Cynthia Nixon, that was to have begun performances on Thursday.

The theater’s artistic director, Allan Buchman said his 20-year-old company, in the East Village, was “in a difficult situation” after losing a foundation grant that he said had been pledged, and losing income associated with a faltering music hall, SubCulture, which is a tenant in Culture Project’s basement.

As a result, Mr. Buchman said, the theater was unable to finance the planned production of “MotherStruck,” an autobiographical solo show by Staceyann Chin about her effort as a single gay woman without health insurance to have a child.

Although the Culture Project is a nonprofit group, the show was to be a commercial production, capitalized at between $225,000 and $275,000, financed by Ms. O’Donnell, the theater and investors. The Culture Project, which describes itself as striving to produce “socially conscious theater,” has staged commercial productions before, including the long-running, critically acclaimed show “The Exonerated.”

Mr. Buchman said he remained optimistic that the company would be able to stage “MotherStruck” at a later date, and that he would hold a series of benefit fund-raisers in an effort to rebuild the organization’s finances. Because of its financial difficulties, Mr. Buchman said, the organization has consolidated its office space and laid off some staff members.

“This would not be the first time we’ve encountered difficulties,” said Mr. Buchman, who founded the theater. “We survived Sept. 11, we survived Hurricane Sandy, and this is a challenge but it’s one that our community seems to want to help us get through.”

Artbeat