Theater at St. Clement’s in Manhattan

The New York Times has published a review of the production of The Adding Machine at the Theatre at St. Clement’s in Manhattan. The review, written by Laura Collins-Hughes and published on April 15, 2026, examines the narrative of a man who is made redundant.

The production is hosted at the Theatre at St. Clement’s, a venue located at 423 West 46th Street in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City. The space is recognized for its unique integration of sacred liturgy and theatrical performance, blending the traditions of the Episcopal Church with the creative energy of the Off-Broadway community.

A Legacy of Sacred and Secular Art

The history of St. Clement’s dates back to 1830, when the community first gathered for worship at Barrow Street’s Longacre House. By 1920, the congregation moved to its current site on West 46th Street, merging with the Saint Cornelius Episcopal Congregation to form the modern St. Clement’s Episcopal Church.

The venue’s transition into a theatrical hub began in 1962 under the leadership of the Rector, Reverend Sidney Lanier. Lanier modeled the Theatre at Saint Clement’s after the Guild Chapels of sixteenth-century England. This vision led to the gutting and conversion of the sanctuary into an Off-Broadway space, creating a physical union between the church and the arts.

This integration remains a central feature of the venue’s operations. On Sundays, the church conducts worship services by placing an altar directly upon the set of whatever theatrical production is currently being presented in the space.

Off-Broadway Significance and Performance History

The theatre is noted for its intimate setting, with seating capacity estimates ranging between 160 and 180 seats. This layout is designed to foster deep engagement between the performers and the audience.

Over several decades, the venue has served as a home for numerous prominent theater companies, including:

• The Peccadillo Theater Company (current resident)
• The New Group
• Theatre for a New Audience
• Music-Theatre Group
• American Place Theatre

The space has hosted several notable world premieres, such as American Buffalo by David Mamet, Old Glory by Robert Lowell, Whiskey by Terrence McNally, La Tourista by Sam Shepherd, Garden of Earthly Delights by Martha Clarke, and Juan Darien by Julie Taymor and Elliot Goldenthal.

A wide array of acclaimed actors have performed at the venue, including Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Nathan Lane, Harvey Fierstein, Henry Winkler, and John Rubinstein.

Community Impact in Hell’s Kitchen

Beyond its role as a cultural landmark, St. Clement’s maintains a strong commitment to its local community. The church operates a neighborhood food pantry that provides essential groceries to more than 1,500 residents of Hell’s Kitchen every week.

The venue is positioned as an inclusive space, reflecting the history of Hell’s Kitchen as a neighborhood known for its LGBTQ+ community. It continues to offer a blend of reverent tradition and innovation, maintaining an unassuming exterior facade that contrasts with the artistic activity within its walls.