“ONE OF THE SUMMER’S MOST WELCOME SURPRISES”

FRINGEPLAYER, EDINBURGH FRINGE

FRONT ROW CENTER

“AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS AND TRANSFORMATIVE ONE WOMAN SHOW”

- Spoonfuls of Broadway

“INVENTIVE, TOUCHING, AND IMPACTFUL”

- The Unforgettable Line

BY CRYSTAL SKILLMAN
DIRECTED BY JESSI D. HILL
FEATURING MEGAN HILL

Sometimes, the most powerful magic is hope.

✦

Sometimes, the most powerful magic is hope. ✦

A spellbinding story of love, loss, and the impossible—OPEN took the stage Off-Broadway July 8–27 as a recipient of the WP Space Program. Presented by Midnight Theatricals, this electrifying production is produced in association with The Tank, The Flying Carpet Theatre Company, and is a New Georges Supported Production.

A woman called The Magician appears to perform tricks, but there’s no illusion—she’s attempting the impossible: saving her partner, Jenny. OPEN is a powerful, funny, and deeply moving play about love’s ability to defy hate in magical ways.

Just featured in The New Yorker's Summer Culture Preview, Megan Hill returns to the role she orginated, starring as The Magician, under the direction of Jessi D. Hill. The show’s 2019 sold-out run at The Tank earned a New York Times Critics’ Pick, with Elisabeth Vincentelli writing: “Kristen [The Magician] executes magic tricks because she is the one who needs to believe. The miracle this lovely show pulls out is that by the end, she does — and so do we.”

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  • "Hill is a winning, charmingly nerdy presence."

    Vulture

  • "One of the summer’s most welcome surprises"

    The New York Times

  • "An absolutely gorgeous and transformative one woman show"

    Spoonfuls of Broadway

  • "Inventive, touching, and impactful"

    The Unforgettable Line

  • “In Crystal Skillman’s sensitive solo show OPEN…everything penetrates”

    Time Out New York

  • “Besides its intrinsic worth, OPEN should bring more attention to a pair of downtown’s most bracing talents.”

    The New York Times

  • “This play is music…and the voice of the singer is the kind that lifts you to another realm.”

    Front Row Center

  • ★★★★★

    FringePlayer, Edinburgh Fringe 

  • ★★★★★

    Front Row Center

  • "An intimate, detailed portrait of a woman desperately trying to hold on to her relationship, and it’s anchored by a masterful performance."

    Theatermania

PRODUCTION HISTORY & AWARDS

The play was originally produced at The Tank in 2019 with All for One Theatre with actress Megan Hill. 

In 2022 the Tank in partnership with The Flying Carpet Theatre Company presented a special production of “Open” featuring the direction of Jessi D. Hill and Lily Ali-Oshatz as Kristen with Onstage! in four locations in Italy: Cagliari (Lucido Festival), Teatro del Lidoo (Ostria), Pescata at Florian Espace and finally ending the tour in Rome. 

With a message of resilience for the LGBTQIA+ community, “Open” has been taught at numerous schools and universities. OPEN's awards include a 2021 Offie Nomination for the Edinburgh Fringe, APAP Up Next! selection, and a grant from Mid-Atlantic Arts.  After its premiere and tour, “Open” was published by Dramatists Play Service (Broadway Licensing). Since Open's publication, several productions have continued across the country, gaining critical acclaim. 

For our Off-Broadway premiere, Open's creative team will include Lighting & Scenic Design by Sarah Johnston (When We Went Electronic at The Tank; Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with NYTW), Sound Design by Emma Wilk (Dog Man: The Musical at New World Stages; Everything's Fine at DR2), and Costume Design by Madeline Wall (Jack of Cups with Experimental Bitch; Mad Cool at FRIGID Fringe). The Production Stage Manager will be Sydney Golden with Consulting Producer Megan Carter. Magic Consultant will be Rachel Wax.