A Part of the Noise
Written by Carl Kline; Directed by Joe John Battista
Theater for the New City | 155 First Avenue, New York, NY 10003
October 8-25, 2026
A Part of the Noise is the story of Franz Kline, an artist who eventually reveals the colored canvas. Set in Cedar Bar, a NYC tavern alive with the heart and soul of the beat generation, Joe John Battista's direction brings a lively, kinetic energy to the stage.
A Part of the Noise slowly unfolds as a typical painter's story. After a battle with an agent, a misplaced love affair, and finally, a tragic battle with a rheumatic condition, the joy of performance shows through, creating a time capsule of the era. Franz, played credibly by Ryan Tramont, shares his love of the journey with the love of his life, Annie, portrayed by Skye Themeda Goss. Annie adds a thoughtful word and sends a beautiful image towards the heavens each time Franz endures the agony of negotiation.
Dancers bring a sassy flair to 1959, while interviews bring fame to new heights. Choreography acknowledges all points on the stage, illuminating the men and women discovering a moment beyond the industrialized culture of the 40s before the psychedelic craze of the 60s. Solo dances include spoken word poetry to make the cafe alive with sound. Even the barback, dutifully portrayed by Olivia J. Talian, adds a song, offering an extraordinary sense of unity.
Conflict, tempered with the spirit of debate, gives way to new complications in Carl Kline's script. Zoë Anastassiou enters with the whoosh of the wind, leaving Franz haunted by his past. Performances by Mike Meth as Sidney Janis, Alex Elmaleh as Artie Mendelbaum, Alexandra Laliberte, Tony Del Bono, and Michael John Gross make this classic art world dilemma a knowing drama. It is with a wink that we can look at the career of Franz Kline and notice that it is, perhaps, only one step different from our own world.
The set, designed by Mark Marcante & Lytza Colon, includes a spare street lamp, bringing a rare, Parisian sense to this NYC production. Appreciated, also, is the classical, live guitar music, played by Claudio Paciocco. The music cuts through the silence and drives the action, making an evening over two hours bright and joyous.
Would the cafe be brought to a halt after Franz's tragic death? Within his story is the realization that we are all indecisive, we are all fallible, and we are all human. The style, conversation and flow transcends time and space, bringing such a communal spirit that it feels possible that the world of the cafe will never really end.
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Review by Marcina Zaccaria
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on October 19, 2026. All rights reserved.
