I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan, written by Mona Pirnot, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll, and starring David Greenspan himself, is a cathartic evening for anyone in the theater world, especially a playwright. This is a refreshing piece of true theater that cannot exist anywhere but on stage. Mona Pirnot pushes us with her words, and Greenspan is her muse with his indescribable performance style, stage presence, and pure self-expression that considers the audience. In any Greenspan production, we, the audience, are his co-creators. We are part of the movement, part of the process. We are co-conspirators who need to make our way through the quagmire of decisions and choices. Greenspan’s existence on stage is the magical musical movement of a dancer, a comedian, and a character actor capable of creating vastly different individuals.

The Call of the Theater

I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan, now playing at the Atlantic Theater Stage 2, is about the “call” of the theater. Artists live in the impossible, using hope to tell themselves not to give up, to keep moving forward, just wait, something good is going to happen. Hand-in-hand with that hope often comes a life of struggle. Jobs that make money conflict with finding the time to make art. Only a few rise up. But the love of the art, of the collaboration, keeps many in the world of hope.

Greenspan, himself a creator of theater, opens with his story of life as a Market Researcher. It was a job bizarre in content and strong in pay. It would’ve allowed him to step further into the world of marketing where he would make lovely six-digit salaries, have the freedom to travel and not worry about financial security. Instead, he chose his passion, his calling, his love, Theater. A calling where only a few find a healthy financial existence.

Exploring the Play’s Narrative

Emmy’s Journey and the Debate

In Pirnot’s story we meet Emmy who has invited her friends Mona, Regina, and Sierra to her home to read through a new play she has just finished and get their impressions. All of the characters are played by Greenspan in a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants dance of movement and dialogue. Emmy’s friends debate about how she should proceed. She is a good writer, but being a good writer has not propelled her forward. They know that luck, unknown obstacles and pathways hinder the journey to the top. Is she interested in fighting her way in the theater or becoming a television writer? The debates arguing television over theater are emotional, uproarious, and painfully truthful.

Language, the way of making the world your own, is the center of the debate of this extravagant, hilarious, staggering theatrical piece. The cult of the theater has its pull on so many.

Greenspan’s Unmatched Brilliance

There is no one else like Greenspan. Whether you are a creator in the theater world or a champion of the theater, you will be both entertained and wowed by Pirnot’s hilarious writing and Greenspan’s bringing it all to life!

There is so much in this production that is surprising and unexpected that I want to say very little about it. I am being rather vague because I want you, the reader, the theater geek, to go on your own. Discover Pirnot’s story, director Ken Rus Schmoll’s subtle navigation of the play, and be a witness to one of Greenspan’s most beautiful, outstanding performances.

Performance Details

See It for Yourself

I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan, written by Mona Pirnot, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll with David Greenspan. Running through April 30th.

Running Time: 90 Minutes with no intermission

Atlantic Theater Stage 2, 330 West 16th Street, New York, NY

Tickets HERE