LaBanca’s performance in his own play defies superlatives. His heart is so big, his caring and devotion are so sincere, it makes it all the more painful when he is expected to endure a tribunal of the Catholic Diocese. But Matthew is a warrior. Warriors cannot and do not shut up.
Tony Marinelli, TheatreScene.net
The Team
Matthew LaBanca
Julianne Merrill
Matthew LaBanca
Author & Performer
Matthew performed on Broadway in the original companies of Young Frankenstein, White Christmas, and A Christmas Carol. His solo show Good Enough played Off Broadway at the United Solo Festival, winning the festival's Best Musical Award in 2014. Matthew’s TV credits include Broad City, Live from Lincoln Center, and the upcoming season of Severance on Apple+.
Matthew’s controversial termination from the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2021 led to a media firestorm, and is the inspiration for his new solo show, Communion.
Kira Simring
Julianne Merrill
Matthew LaBanca
Director
Kira Simring is the Artistic Director of Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in NYC, where she has developed and directed new works since 2006. Directing credits include the world premieres of The Women Who Rode Away by Natalia Zukerman (the cell and off the WALL), Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom (Irish Rep), Crackskull Row by Honor Molloy (New York Times Critics’ Pick) and Hard Times: An American Musical by Larry Kirwan (New York Times Critics’ Pick). Kira is a three-time Origin Theatre 1st Irish Award Winner for Best Director.
Julianne Merrill
Julianne Merrill
Julianne Merrill
Sound / Production
Julianne works in NYC as a professional Music Director, Pianist, and Electronic Music Engineer. On Broadway, she can be found on the podium as a substitute conductor or keyboard player, as well as a designer of pit playback technologies: aka "PatchMaster." Keyboard Programmer for Broadway's A Strange Loop, Playback Engineer for Broadway's Some Like it Hot. Also Broadway's Harmony and How to Dance in Ohio. A recent graduate and now professor of Live Music Production and Design and Writing and Design for Musical Theatre at Berklee NYC.
Ryan Belock
Julianne Merrill
Julianne Merrill
Projections
Off-Broadway: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Irish Repertory), Dogs of Rwanda, A Deal (Urban Stages), The Jury, Powerline Road (TheatreNowNY), Musical of Musicals, Me & Ella (York Theatre). Broadway: Associate/Assistant: Here Lies Love (Animator, , Peter Nigrini, designer) Dear Evan Hansen (Understudies Assistant Editor, Broadway, West End, U.S. Tour, Peter Nigrini, deisgner).