In 2008, Nathan Lane introduced New York City theatergoers to Mike Birbiglia by presenting Birbiglia’s solo theater debut, Sleepwalk with Me, which went on to be adapted into a New York Times bestselling book and Sundance award-winning feature film of the same name. Mr. Lane said of Birbiglia, “When he walks on stage, the energy in the room changes, and you realize you're in the presence of a fresh and original voice. And that is very rare. You know you're getting the real turtle soup, not merely the mock. Like any great comedian, it's hard to categorize Mike - he is his own unique creation. You should definitely just go see him and get lost in his world.”
Since then Birbiglia has written & performed Thank God For Jokes and My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend for which he received a Lucille Lortel Award.
Now he’s arrived with The New One.
When asked what it’s about, Birbiglia is reluctant to say much. “I hate it when people tell me what anything is about or really any details at all. Last year I loved Lady Bird, Get Out and The Big Sick and my greatest gift to my friends was to tell them to see those movies and don’t read anything about them. So that’s what I’m telling the people interested in this show. If you liked my other shows and movies, I think you’ll love The New One.
"Birbiglia hits peak funny when riffing on his frailties, medical and otherwise, and his self-deprecation comes across not as an underhanded cry for unearned “helpless dad” sympathy but as an expression of genuine doubt about his role in the new family unit."
— The New Yorker
“Incredibly sharp. His pieces are peppered with hysterical one-liners that sneak up on you like comedic stealth bombs. They're delivered in such a subtle, conversational manner that sometimes it takes a few seconds for them to register. But don't take too long processing them, because another hilarious joke is just around the corner.”
— The Hollywood Reporter
"He is raw, self-deprecating and painfully aware of both his privilege and his failings. When he admits to thoughts about romance and parenting that are verboten but common, you can't judge him without condemning and laughing at yourself."
— Time Out
Written and Performed by
Mike Birbiglia
Directed by
Seth Barrish
Produced By
Mike Lavoie & Joe Birbiglia
Co-Producer
Rebecca Crigler
Associate Producers
Jonny Levin & Peter Salomone
Executive Producer
Ira Glass
Consigliere
Mike Berkowitz
Scenic Design
Beowulf Boritt
Lighting Design
Aaron Copp
Sound Design
Leon Rothenberg
Production Stage Manager
Lauren Cavanaugh
Press Representative
Keith Sherman & Associates
Additional Writing By
Jennifer Hope Stein
Assistant Stage Manager
Sean T. McGrath
Assistant to the Producers
Mabel Lewis
Assistant Director
Elizabeth Bennett
Production Management
Tinc Productions
Production Supervisor
Duncan R Northern
Production Manager
Libby Jensen
Associate Production Manager
Madison Lane
Associate Scenic Designer
Alexis Distler
Scenery Intern
Wenzheng Zhang
Associate Lighting Designer
Nicholas Houfek
Associate Sound Designer
Will Pickens
Technical Director
Steven Brenman
Production Electricians
John Anselmo, Dan Mullins
Audio Supervisor
Five OHM
Sleep Sheet Fabricator
Addison Heeren
Graphic Designer
Derek Gabryszak
Production Photographer
Joan Marcus