The Charm and Wit of Canal Park Playhouse

The artistic director, Jack Coates, is a dummy, sorry to say. The producer, Kipp Osborne, has had a varied career in theater as an actor on and off-Broadway and on the small screen. Kipp Osborne, Mr. Coates claims, is also a ventriloquist.

Messers Coates and Osborne are joined at Canal Park Playhouse by Sara Murphy as Managing Director.

Ms. Murphy is an advocate for young theater companies whose previous roles included programming at the Zipper Factory Theater. Their Technical Director is Vadim Ledvin, who has extensive experience in lighting and sound design.

Rounding out the production team is the Resident Playwright, Joe Roland, whose "On The Line," opening for previews on October 27th, enjoyed an earlier run at the Cherry Lane Theater.

The Playhouse occupies the ground floor in a landmarked 1826 Canal House in Tribeca. The upper floors are a bed and breakfast, known as The Canal Park Inn. Patrons at the Playhouse, may enjoy a very reasonably priced brunch from 10:30am to 6:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

On our recent visit, we spoke to a couple from Birmingham, Al, who with their comrades from around the south, were enjoying their stay. The group of four couples each had one of the suite-like rooms upstairs, happily occupying the entire Inn for the week.

For more information about Canal Park Playhouse and its upcoming productions, visit http://www.canalparkplayhouse.com/. For information on the newly opened Canal Park Inn, visit
http://www.thecanalparkinn.com/