The Celebration of Whimsy

This place is AMAZING! i have had the pleasure of seeing many shows here, one of the last bastions of underground performance art in NYC I highly recommend it & the host/​manager owner could not be more professional. He truthfully care about the theater art scene in NYC films, theatre productions, burlesque shows… really anything you need a stage for could be done here! Check them out!

I’m not sure what this stupidly named venue is like when the NYC fringe festival releases its high school level of professionalism and courtesy from its clutches, but from what I’ve read on this profile it sounds like the owner of this empty vessel of a theatre has little interest in people actually seeing plays there. It took me 45 minutes to get to this theatre, I had a ticket to the play, and was 5 minutes late b/​c sometimes the J train just plain sucks.
I was immediately locked out– for four more minutes, when finally a grumpy middle aged man comes out with his back pack. He screams «HOW CAN I HELP YOU, SIR?!» in my face.
I tell him I have a ticket
«ITS ALREADY STARTING»
Then he slams the door and refuses to look me in the eye like he’s on some sort of spectrum.
I tell him please, I have a ticket, he just yells «SORRY», while storming up the street.
Waste of effort. Bad business plan. I hope this guy finds what’s he’s missing in life. What a sad place, run by sad people.

Besides having fun and exciting theatre, variety, and events here, it’s also a great place to stop in for a surprisingly good glass of wine. Beautiful performance space w a real backstage, too!

This is a great space. The performances I’ve seen here are consistently pretty good (which is saying A LOT for NYC comedy & performance venues). Check out Muffins in the Window or the Mary Joe Camel Show for a cheap, fun night out.

Wow. I’m in a coffee shop up the street from the ridiculously-​named Celebration of Whimsy instead of inside watching the final performance of some good friends’ Fringe Festival run because I was kicked out by the insane owner.
I was supposed to be filming the show for my friends, so I showed up 15 minutes early, but the door was locked. Outside, there’s a number to call if you’re locked out, but nobody answered. It’s a basement theater so no one inside had reception. Finally the owner walks up and opens the door. He’s moving fast and wearing headphones so I try to explain to him why I’m going in but he’s closing the door. I hold the door and say I’m filming the show, he literally tries to slam the door on my hand.
Slam. The door. On a customer’s. Hand.
Finally, someone gets my texts and let’s me in. I walk downstairs and he sees me walking past. «That’s the pusher» he says to an employee. I start explaining the situation, which was pointless, because he immediately starts screaming about how this is HIS venue and he can kick me out, which he does. As I’m handing the camera equipment to someone else, I realize this is silly. We’re both too old for this nonsense.
I approach him at the bar. «Look, I don’t want any trouble, I think we just had a misunderstanding. I wasn’t trying to disrespect you or your theater. I’d like to see my friends perform…»
He walks away. HE WALKS AWAY. This is a 50 year old man.
The space is great, no doubt about it. Even if zero stars was an option, I’d still give it one star for that reason. But that’s all I can say. I have no idea how somebody who behaves like that can keep a business with such a stupid name afloat in Manhattan. Anything else I would have to say about this guy would get this review flagged as inappropriate, so I’ll save it. In the event that you actually read your reviews, sir, I encourage you to think of the worst things you could say about a person and then picture «the pusher» saying them to you.
ONE BARELY-​EARNED STAR!

I really love the performance space, the bar, the bar area and the folks who run this space. I have had nothing but fantastic experiences at the COW.

I love the Celebration of Whimsy and I’ve been a fan since it opened March 2013. There is always a resident visual artist installing artwork for sale, the space is great, and there are always great shows, events and parties. Prices for tickets and drinks are reasonable as well. Great place to go see Fringe Festival shows, rent space for theater/​production, or showcase your latest work!

I love the C.O.W!!! Intimate and clean with a bar and fun programming… What more could you want?

I love this theatre!
It’s in a beautiful, wonderful area! So many great cafes nearby and such a great atmosphere within.
The dressing rooms are comfortable and look pretty and have lots of little cubby holes for the actors.
It is so very clean.
I felt joy every time I showed up to do my show.

I’m into this space BIG time. Like crushing, but more. Great spot to see some awesome indie comedy and live shows.

I’ve been here for about 5 shows. The space is great– love the ability to reserve the small tables randomly placed within seating.

The C.O.W. was the first home to my now bi-​coastal comedy storytelling show, A Very Special Episode. Stephen was a complete joy to work with and made planning the show each month incredibly easy. NYC isn’t without ample theatre space, but there is something very special about the C.O.W. It’s accessible, in a small and tranquil block of the lower east side. The space is brand new, and the care that is put into programming and facilities are hard to come by, even in a city with such a strong theatre culture. I miss the C.O.W. now that I have moved west, and encourage anyone to support this wonderful institution.

Great performance/​event space in a hopping neighborhood near (Katz’s Deli for starters). It probably seats around 100, has a cute bar area and funky art on the walls. Plus, it’s historic (the former Living Theatre space)!
Well worth a visit — I caught a fun variety show here called Muffins in the Window one Thursday night.